Habitat: Pimelodus
pintado belongs to the genus Pimelodus
from the Cebollatí, Tacuarí and Yaguarón
rivers emptying into the Laguna Merín, Uruguay.
Description: Pimelodus pintado
is distinguished from congeners by the combination
of its densely spotted pigmentation pattern with many
small dots irregularly placed over flanks, head and
all fins, and, when fresh, metallic golden background
colour, plus thick striated lips with prominent rictal
folds, long snout, prominent upper jaw, anterior naris
far from snout margin, narrow premaxillary tooth bands
with rounded posterolateral corners, toothless prevomer
and 22-26 gill rakers on first branchial arch. Pimelodus
pintado is compared to other spotted species
of Pimelodus including P.
maculatus,
P. heraldoi, P. absconditus, P. microstoma,
P. mysteriosus, P. paranaensis, P. platicirris,
P. ortmanni, P. britskii, P. fur, P.
grosskopfii, P. navarroi, P. coprophagus
and P.
punctatus. Aquarium Care:
Provide hiding places for this 'pim' and you will
be able to see it on the odd occasions when food is
introduced. Peaceful species but not to be trusted
with small fish such as tetras as they will pick them
of at night on their forays so they must be kept with
species larger or compatible with it such as barbs,
gouramis, cichlids and other South American catfish.
Diet: Most aquarium fare such as
tablet, flake, worm and frozen foods
Common
Name:
Pictus Cat
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Pimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:
Uruguay, known from three affluent rivers of Laguna
Merín. Type locality: Río
Cebollatí, Uruguay.
Size:
28.0cm. (11ins)
Temp:
20-24°C (67-75°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.5.
Reference:
Azpelicueta, M.M.:
Lundberg, J.G. and M. Loureiro,
2008. Pimelodus pintado (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae),
a new species of catfish from affluent rivers of Laguna
Merín, Uruguay, South America. Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phil. 157:149-162.
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