Pimelodus ornatus

Scientific name: Pimelodus ornatus Kner, 1858

Pimelodus ornatus

Pimelodus ornatus is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows to about 26 cm (10 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.2. Native range: South America, Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paran? River basins; also in major rivers of the Guianas.

Pimelodus ornatus care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
26 cm (10 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
24–27°C (75–81°F)
pH
6.5–7.2
Hardness
5–18 dGH (89–321 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Occurs in principal river beds, in upstream parts of rivers, downstream rapids, in backwater zones or on stony bottoms of pools with dead tree trunks. Active at dusk. Piscivorous. Emits loud grumblings. Secretes toxic mucus and the wounds caused by its pectoral spines are very painful. The female can preserve spermatozoids by coating them with original maternal secretions and inserting them in the epithelium of its genital tract. The presence of sperm in the mucus of the female's genital tract is indicative of internal fertilization.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pimelodus ornatus
Family
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
38.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; dH range: ? - 18 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paran? River basins; also in major rivers of the Guianas.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More catfish & plecos

See all catfish & plecos

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

Last updated