🐟 Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus)
South American Catfish • Fast, Active Schooler • Silvery Spotted Beauty
 
📋 The Pictus Catfish, also called the Polka-Dot Catfish or Angelicus Catfish, is a lively South American catfish with a silvery body marked by bold black spots and very long barbels. It comes from the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and it's a fast, constantly moving swimmer that loves a long tank with plenty of open space, even though it only reaches about 12-15cm.
Pictus are nocturnal and have a wide mouth, so any fish small enough to fit in it, including neon-sized tetras, may be picked off overnight. They're happiest with active, robust tankmates, in a group of at least three, with six or more even better. They have no scales, so they react badly to full-strength copper and some ich treatments, and heat plus half-dose treatment is the usual approach. Their sharp dorsal and pectoral spines can pierce bags and skin and tangle in nets, so handle with care.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Spotted Silver Pattern: Bold black spots on a metallic body
🌙 Nocturnal and Active: Lively at dusk and in low light
👥 Gregarious: Best in a group of three or more
🧪 Scaleless: Gentle, half-strength treatments suit it best
🛡️ Sharp Spines: Handle with care