Pictus catfish

Common name(s) Sailfin catfish, Sailfin pim, Sailfin marbled pim Picture of Leiarius pictus, juvenile
Leiarius pictus, juvenile.
Picture of Leiarius pictus, adult
Leiarius pictus, adult.
Photos © Sean Evans

Scientific name Leiarius pictus

Synonyms Sciades pictus (not valid)

Size Usually 24" (60cm), but can grow slightly larger.

Origin S. America: widespread in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.

Tank setup A very large tank (suggest 8' x 3' base area for adult), with plenty of open swimming space and a large cave for a refuge.

Compatibility Highly predatory, will eat small fish. Territorial, and will be aggressive towards other similar catfish, and sometimes towards other species.

Temperature 22-25^oC (72-77^oF)

Water chemistry Fairly soft, slightly acidic to around neutral (pH 6.5-7.2) is preferable.

Feeding Predatory, will take all kinds of dead or live meaty foods, and also eats sinking or floating pellets.

Sexing No obvious differences, but females are larger and thicker in shape.

Breeding Unknown - no accounts of aquarium breeding, mainly due to the size of tank that would be required.

Comments This is a very confident and active catfish compared to many other large Pimelodidae catfish, and even juveniles become hand-tame very quickly. It should not be kept with other Pimelodid catfish in home aquaria; suitable catfish companions could include large Dorad catfish (e.g. Oxydoras, Megalodoras), though even these may be harrassed occasionally. Large but peaceful fish of the upper levels are usually tolerated.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name(s)	Sailfin catfish, Sailfin pim, Sailfin marbled pim	Leiarius pictus, juvenile. Leiarius pictus, adult. `Photos © Sean Evans`
Scientific name	Leiarius pictus
Synonyms	Sciades pictus (not valid)
Size	Usually 24" (60cm), but can grow slightly larger.
Origin	S. America: widespread in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
Tank setup	A very large tank (suggest 8' x 3' base area for adult), with plenty of open swimming space and a large cave for a refuge.
Compatibility	Highly predatory, will eat small fish. Territorial, and will be aggressive towards other similar catfish, and sometimes towards other species.
Temperature	22-25^oC (72-77^oF)
Water chemistry	Fairly soft, slightly acidic to around neutral (pH 6.5-7.2) is preferable.
Feeding	Predatory, will take all kinds of dead or live meaty foods, and also eats sinking or floating pellets.
Sexing	No obvious differences, but females are larger and thicker in shape.
Breeding	Unknown - no accounts of aquarium breeding, mainly due to the size of tank that would be required.
Comments	This is a very confident and active catfish compared to many other large Pimelodidae catfish, and even juveniles become hand-tame very quickly. It should not be kept with other Pimelodid catfish in home aquaria; suitable catfish companions could include large Dorad catfish (e.g. Oxydoras, Megalodoras), though even these may be harrassed occasionally. Large but peaceful fish of the upper levels are usually tolerated.