All fish / Pimelodidae

Sailfin Pim

Leiarius pictus

Also known as sailfin pimelodid, painted catfish, leiarius pictus catfish, sailfin catfish, pictus sailfin pim, ปลาเรดเทลแคทฟิชเลียเรียส, レイアリウス・ピクタス, 帆鳍鸭嘴, 帆鳍油鲶

A large long-whiskered catfish with a tall sail-like dorsal fin and a pale body covered in dark spots and blotches. Keepers prize it as a striking showpiece for very large tanks, and it is usually more active and visible than many other big catfish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

1500 litres

Keep as

Best kept singly, or with other large robust fish

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, fish fillet, prawns, mussels and earthworms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon and Orinoco basins: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela

Breeding

It has not been bred in home aquariums. Wild fish are thought to spawn in the rainy season, and fish sold in the trade are wild-caught.

Good to know

Juveniles are sold at a few centimetres but grow to around 50 cm or more, so only buy one if you have room for a huge tank. It will eat any fish small enough to swallow.