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FACTSHEETS: July 2012 - no. 193

Pimelodus ornatus Kner, 1858


he month of July 2012 brings us back to one of the prettiest member of the Pimeloidae family, namely the 'Ornate pim' Pimelodus ornatus.


Pimelodus ornatus

Pimelodus ornatus

As you can see from the image above this is indeed a smart looking catfish which has been imported into the U. K. and Europe on and off since 1979, initially from Paraguay, and has proved a favourite amongst dedicated predatory catfish enthusiasts.

Keeping the 'Ornate pim' is not too difficult as long as you stick to a few golden rules such as the size of tank which should be around 100 gall. (500 litres) mark due to its eventual size and the fish constantly on the move as a group, as single specimens are never happy alone and will spend a good amount of time hiding away and sulking in the aquarium.

Since the species originates from flowing waters, the water should be clear and with a high oxygen content, good filtration and a substrate of a rounded gravel or sand with plenty of hiding places with pipes or rockwork/stones. If there are plenty of places to hide they will lose their initial shyness and come out more often.

Since they roam the aquarium at night with their long feeling barbels they can upset other tank inhabitants so other inmates would have to be chosen carefully. South American Cichlids, L-number cats and other catfish from the Doradidae family are good choices.

 

 

P. ornatus can devour quite large pieces of fish


Pimelodus ornatus
- can devour quite large pieces of fish

 

The above image shows the mouth of Pimelodus ornatus and the gape which can take small fish if it needed to so once again careful consideration of tankmates are a must.

If at all handled they secrete a toxic mucus and the wounds caused by its pectoral spines are very painful. There spines can also be tangled up in a net if catching so best to do it with an open ended container.

 

Common Name

Ornate pim

Synonyms

Megalonema rhabdostigma

Family

Pimelodidae

Subfamily

Pimelodidinae

Distribution

South America: Amazon, Corintijns, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins. Also in major rivers of  the Guianas.

Size

38.5cm. (15½ins)

Temp.

24-25°C (75-77°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

Characteristics

Slender and elongate body and the head is depressed. Upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. The maxillary barbels when laid back reach beyond the adipose fin and sometimes reach the tip of the caudal fin.

Colouration

Upper part of head and body dark blue/grey, the belly region is whitish. A light horizontal band above the lateral line from below the dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle. Two light vertical bands, one behind the operculum (slightly darker), the second below the dorsal fin spine. The dark horizontal band in the ventral region from the ventral fin to the caudal fin disappears in the adult fish. Dorsal fin with a large black blotch. Caudal fin with a black band in each lobe. Pectoral, ventral and anal fins with dark pigment in the rays (more so on the pectoral fins), whitish on the tips. Adipose fin with light pigment. Maxillary barbels with darker pigment on the top edge, lower half white, mandibular barbels white.

Aquarium Care & Compatibility

Not suited to be housed with smaller species but should fit in with South American Cichlids, L-number cats and members of the Doradidae family.

Reproduction

Allegedly the species breeds by internal fertilisation and the female places the fertilised eggs on stones and plants. As this is a migratory breeder you would need to be very lucky to achieve this.

Sexual Differences

Not reported but I would imagine that the females would be more rotund.

Diet

Gregarious feeders in the aquarium and are not fussy eaters. Earthworms, white and black worms, Tilapia filets, or trout pieces, tablet and pellet foods and frozen foods such as bloodworm. When adult you do not need to feed this fish every day, every second day would suffice on the diet of the above foods.

Glossary of Terms

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin
: The fin forward from the anal cavity.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Caudal peduncle: The area between the dorsal fin and the tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Lateral line: A sensory line, along the sides of the body.
Mandibular barbels: Pertaining to the lower jaw. (mandibular barbels).
Maxillary barbels: Pertaining to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels).
Operculum: The bony covering of the gills of fishes.
Pectoral fin: The paired fins after head and before anal fin.
Ventral fin: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins.

Etymology

Pimelodus: Pimel = fat; odus = tooth.
ornatus: Ornate; decorated.

References

Lambourne, Derek: Catfish Association of Great Britain; Information Sheet, April 1978.
Ros, Wolfgang
(2008): Ein Schmuckstück im Aquarium: Der Raubwels Pimelodus ornatus, Aquaristik- Aktuell (4): 54-57.
Sands, David: Catfishes of the World, Volume Three: Auchenipteridae & Pimelodidae.Dunure Publications 1984, 145p.

Photo Credits

© Wolfgang Ros @  Catfish and more

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ScotCat Sources

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Etymology = Genus Etymology-genera

Etymology = Species Etymology-specific name

 

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