Common name/s: Sailfin pim, painted catfish, saddle catfish, sailfin marbled catfish
Scientific name: Leiarius pictus
Family: Pimelodidae
Origin: Amazon basin
Maximum size: 24" to 30"
Care: Rightfully known as a true tankbuster this fish requires a large tank with massive filtration, unless you have plans for a tropical pond or a tank of at least 8x3x3 feet then this is not the fish for you. The fish is not fussy of water parameters but due to the fishes massive appetite water changes of at least 50% weekly are recomended. Tank furniture needs to be large and robust and any plants should be of the floating variety as the fishes large bulk will easily move objects around the tank and uproot even the most well rooted plants. As with all pimeloids the fish is a predator and any tankmates need to be equally large, other large catfish arownas and cichlids such as oscars are suitable.
Feeding: This fish isnt fussy and will accept all manor of large meaty foods, juveniles will hoover up catfish pellets and bloodworm like its going out of fashion. As with all large predatory catfish once the fish has grown to 12" it should only be fed one very large meal once a week.
Breeding and sexing: Unknown
Comments: The width of the tank is more important than the length for this fish, if the tank is not wide enough the fishes barbels will touch both sides of the tank at once and cause the fish to try to forcably leave the tank!
Scientific name: Leiarius pictus
Family: Pimelodidae
Origin: Amazon basin
Maximum size: 24" to 30"
Care: Rightfully known as a true tankbuster this fish requires a large tank with massive filtration, unless you have plans for a tropical pond or a tank of at least 8x3x3 feet then this is not the fish for you. The fish is not fussy of water parameters but due to the fishes massive appetite water changes of at least 50% weekly are recomended. Tank furniture needs to be large and robust and any plants should be of the floating variety as the fishes large bulk will easily move objects around the tank and uproot even the most well rooted plants. As with all pimeloids the fish is a predator and any tankmates need to be equally large, other large catfish arownas and cichlids such as oscars are suitable.
Feeding: This fish isnt fussy and will accept all manor of large meaty foods, juveniles will hoover up catfish pellets and bloodworm like its going out of fashion. As with all large predatory catfish once the fish has grown to 12" it should only be fed one very large meal once a week.
Breeding and sexing: Unknown
Comments: The width of the tank is more important than the length for this fish, if the tank is not wide enough the fishes barbels will touch both sides of the tank at once and cause the fish to try to forcably leave the tank!
