All fish / Pimelodidae

Pohl's Pimelodus

Pimelodus pohli

Also known as pohli catfish, spotted pim, pimelodus pohli, pictus catfish (misapplied)

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A slim, long-whiskered catfish with a silvery grey body marked by dark spots, similar in looks to the better known pictus catfish. It is kept for its constant activity, long barbels and hardy nature in large community tanks with robust tankmates.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Best kept in a small group of 3 or more in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, prawn, mussel and other meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: São Francisco and upper Tocantins river basins

Breeding

Like other Pimelodus it is an egg-scattering seasonal spawner in the wild. Captive breeding has not been reliably reported in home aquariums.

Good to know

Very active and needs plenty of swimming space and strong filtration; it will eat small fish such as tetras that fit in its mouth. The fin spines are sharp and can catch in nets or wound hands, and it is often sold mixed up with P. pictus or P. blochii.