All fish / Pimelodidae

Capaz Catfish

Pimelodus grosskopfii

Also known as capaz, capaz pim, grosskopf's pimelodus, magdalena pimelodus

This silvery grey pimelodid catfish has long barbels, a forked tail and a streamlined body. In its native Colombia it is an important food fish, and it is sometimes kept by fans of large South American catfish for its active, roaming behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Singly or a small group in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, prawns, fish fillet, earthworms and other meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia: Magdalena and Cauca river basins

Breeding

It is a migratory egg scatterer that spawns in rivers during the rainy season. It has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

It grows large, swims constantly and will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, so it needs a very large tank. Handle it with care because the fin spines can cause painful wounds. Wild stocks are considered threatened in Colombia.