All fish / Pimelodidae

Pimelodus absconditus

Pimelodus absconditus

Also known as spotted pimelodus, pim catfish, pimelodid catfish

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A slim, silvery long-whiskered catfish with dark spots on its body, very similar to the better-known Pimelodus pictus and P. blochii. Keepers like it for its constant activity and long barbels, and it suits large South American community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group of 3 or more in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, prawn, mussel and small fish pieces

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Amazon basin, notably the Tapajós and Xingu drainages

Breeding

There are no reliable reports of captive breeding. Like its relatives it is thought to scatter eggs during seasonal migrations, so spawning in home aquariums is very unlikely.

Good to know

It is a fast, restless swimmer that will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, and the fin spines can cause painful wounds and snag in nets. It is easily confused with other spotted Pimelodus species, so identification in the trade is often uncertain.