Pimelodus and Pimelodella

Pim is the abbreviation often used to describe the many species of catfishes in the Pimelodus and Pimelodella groupings from South and Central America. Some are quite predatory, while others live on aquatic creatures and the fry of other fishes. Happily, most of them will thrive on all the standard aquarium foods, although some of the larger species do require something more substantial.

The panther catfish (Pimelodus pictus) grows to about 13cm (Sin) and is more active during the day than most other Aims. It appreciates some live food in its diet, so do not put it with small fish that could become a meal. As such they do not have any specific choice in food, but they like earthworms and fleshy food like white worms, blood worms. They are also fond of tablet food.

The panther cat fish is quite happy in hard water, although prefers soft, slightly acidic conditions. It is quite peaceful and a good community catfish if kept with suitably sized tank mates. It has black marks on its whole body; its body color is silver. On its head there are minor spots, it has black band of color on its caudal fin and black marks on its dorsal fin. Sexing is unknown till now about it and breeding is also not known. Basins of Amazon and Orinoco are natural home to them. This fish is also known as Naked cat fish or Long-whiskered cat fish.

They can survive in soft water and the nature of the soft water should be acidic, pH should be in between six to seven. They need aquarium of at least 30 gallons if they are small in size but if they have grown up to the size of 6 inches than they need aquarium of 70 gallons because they need quite big place for swimming. In their natural requirements they need muddy water and the area for swimming should be large enough. This fish is quite in nature, but if they have space to hide themselves than it will chase other fishes.

Pimelodella has a large species of fish such as Brachyrhamdia, Perrunichthys, Perrunichthys, Sorubim, around 60 species; most of them are small and medium sized fish. Pimelodus has around 25 species.

Characteristics

• Thin skin has covered the surface of the head.
• Its dorsal fin has a physically powerful fin and has six rays.
• It has large caudal fin, deeply split and the lobes sharply pointed.
• The frontal fontanel doesn’t expand subsequent beyond the level of the eyes.

Temperature