The genus Pimelodus is quite species-rich, with 35 recognized species currently, and also very confusing due to a lack of recent revision. These South American catfish play only a minor role in aquariums. The only species regularly available in stores is Pimelodus pictus, the angel catfish, and P. ornatus is an expensive rarity sought after by specialists. Other species occasionally appear in small numbers in the trade, but are generally insignificant. With the species presented here, which we have occasionally been able to import from Venezuela or, as is currently the case, from Peru, the spectrum could be expanded by another species, as the animals are very attractive: Pimelodus tetramerus.
The species was described in 2006 from the Tocantins and Tapajos rivers in Brazil. Imports were made from the Rio Xingu, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. Grant (2021) suspects a species complex behind the various imports; although we do not rule out this possibility, the externally recognizable differences between animals from the various export areas are so minor that we do not distinguish between them. The size of the imported animals is usually around 6-9 cm; P. tetramerus grows to about 20 cm in length.
Unlike many other catfish, Pimelodus species are also active during the day. At least as juveniles, they are distinctly schooling fish, so you should always purchase 5-10 specimens at once. They are completely peaceful towards other fish, but smaller tank mates will of course be regarded as food. Pimelodus are as undemanding in terms of nutrition as they are in terms of water values, which is why even beginners can enjoy these beautiful fish. You just have to be careful with their extremely sharp fin spines. Both the pectoral fins and the dorsal fin have fin spines that are sharper than we have seen in almost any other fish species. It is therefore generally better to catch these catfish with a cup or similar, as there is a high risk of them becoming terribly entangled in any net.
For our customers: the animals have code 280113 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Literature:
Grant, S. (2021): Pims; Pimelodidae, Heptapteridae and Pseudopimelodidae Catfishes. Neuenstadt am Rübenberge, 220 pp.
Ribeiro, F. R. V. & C. A. S. de Lucena (2006): Nova espécie de Pimelodus (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) dos rios Tapajós e Tocantins, Brasil. Iheringia, Série Zoologia (Porto Alegre) v. 96 (no. 3): 321-327.
