Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 22–25 °C
Species profile
Orange Striped Catfish
Synodontis flavitaeniatus
Common names: Orange Striped Catfish, Yellowstriped Squeaker, Orangestriped Squeaker, Chocolatestriped Squeaker
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 19.5 cm
Up to 19.5 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A strikingly patterned Congo catfish with orange and dark stripes, also called the Orange Striped Squeaker. Keep alone or in a small group in 81 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A strikingly patterned Congo catfish with orange and dark stripes, also called the Orange Striped Squeaker. It reaches about 20 cm and is more peaceful than many of its relatives.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes can be hard to tell apart, although females are often rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 320–410 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–125 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 81 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 90 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide caves, wood and shade, because many catfish are active mostly at night.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Usually most active at dusk and after dark, and it hides during the day.
Social needs vary, so see the notes for this species.
Can defend a favourite hiding place.
Check adult size before choosing tankmates, because a catfish may eat anything that fits in its mouth at night. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Herbivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Spirulina or algae wafersShould make up much of the diet.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette, cucumber and peas work well. Remove leftovers within a day.
- Small frozen foodsAn occasional addition for protein.
Feed sinking foods, ideally after lights-out, so that it gets its share.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Scatterer
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
- Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.
An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo
- Natural habitat
- River
- Audience level
- Beginner
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Synodontis
- Family
- Mochokidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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Polka Dot Synodontis
Synodontis angelicus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Pygmy Leopard Catfish
Synodontis petricola
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 81 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Salween Rock Catfish
Hara filamentosa
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C