Polka Dot Synodontis
Synodontis angelicus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Species profile
Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
Common names: Pictus Catfish, Pictus Cat
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 12 cm
Up to 12 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 only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You keep smaller fish, which it may eat
- You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A slim silver catfish with black spots and very long whiskers. Keep a group of at least 5 in 243 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A slim silver catfish with black spots and very long whiskers. It is active, needs a group and plenty of swimming room, and it will eat small fish at night. Its sharp fin spines catch easily in nets.
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 970–1,220 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 243 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- 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
Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
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 difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Brazil, Colombia, Peru, South America, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Pimelodus
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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