I kinda like this guy, anyone know what the species is? I know it’s a type of pim, but Latin name, size, temperament, diet etc..?
Catfish ID?
- Thread starter FishAddict74
- Start date
People really shouldn't do this to me. I don't like not being able to ID a fish, it's this thing I have. My OCD kicks in and I will spend hours trying to determine the ID of a fish, looking at 100s of pictures, double checking and cross-referencing until I reach a point where I can either make a confident ID or at least confidently narrow it down to a couple of similar species for which I learn size, temperament, social behavior, diet, etc. All so I that I can buy one NOW if I want, knowing it's going to fit in and be comfortable in my tanks. No delayed gratification here, lol. Seriously though, with rare species if you don't snap them up when you see them, either in a shop or on a website, they may not be there when you go back. I like to be the one able to snap them up.
So my OCD kicked in and after three hours last night andfive six seven ? hours today, I've learned a heckuva a lot about the genus Pimelodus, pimelodids in general and the numerous "species" sold under the moniker hi fin jumper catfish (at least three valid species in two genera and two invalid ones). After all that I can make an educated guess to help narrow it down to four possible species. Majority of my research focused around Fishbase and Planet Catfish, cross-referencing ScotCat and several other sites for additional verification. I also referenced the site that pic came from and looked at a couple of other pics they had of these fish. In order of likelihood IMO:
1. Pimelodus albicans - 75% sure the fish in the pic is this species. A 22" tankbuster.
2. Pimelodus argenteus - Second most likely IMO. ~12" TL maximum size. Several pictures of a hi dorsal fin keep this high on the list, the lateral stripes don't quite line up well in all pics though.
3. Pimelodus albofasciatus - Third most likely. ~12" TL maximum size. I can't see any signs of the blotched pattern underneath the gray nor signs of the darker stripes along the center white stripe in the pic you provided, but this could be due to the fish being in a washed out stress pattern. Several pics do show the coloration in the photo in this species. I'm ~75% sure it isn't this species.
4. Pimelodus blochii - regular old four-lined pimelodus. I'm 95% sure it isn't, but I can't quite rule it out 100%. ~14" TL maximum size.
I've accepted this is the best I can do. Maybe someone who is more of a catfish specialist or who has experience with the species can confirm or disprove my ID.
WYite
So my OCD kicked in and after three hours last night and
1. Pimelodus albicans - 75% sure the fish in the pic is this species. A 22" tankbuster.
2. Pimelodus argenteus - Second most likely IMO. ~12" TL maximum size. Several pictures of a hi dorsal fin keep this high on the list, the lateral stripes don't quite line up well in all pics though.
3. Pimelodus albofasciatus - Third most likely. ~12" TL maximum size. I can't see any signs of the blotched pattern underneath the gray nor signs of the darker stripes along the center white stripe in the pic you provided, but this could be due to the fish being in a washed out stress pattern. Several pics do show the coloration in the photo in this species. I'm ~75% sure it isn't this species.
4. Pimelodus blochii - regular old four-lined pimelodus. I'm 95% sure it isn't, but I can't quite rule it out 100%. ~14" TL maximum size.
I've accepted this is the best I can do. Maybe someone who is more of a catfish specialist or who has experience with the species can confirm or disprove my ID.
WYite
Lol I know EXACTLY what you mean, I was up late researching those same sites and asked on MFK with no absolute identification, but came to the same conclusion that it’s most likely albicans. Decided to pass because of the size. I even saw a YouTube fishing video of someone catching what appeared to be this fish and it was probably 16” and very beefy. But while doing my research, I also decided I wanted to keep a pimelodus, so I ordered myself a blochii. I researched the hell out of that as well and due to the 10”’ max size and angry temperament, it seemed like a good tank mate for the frempongi. Hopefully it works, I became infatuated with pims while researching, so...
LOL. I've always liked cats in general. Almost as much as cichlids. I've always liked some of the bagrids, as well as the pimelodids. Some bagrids look very similar to pims. Anyways, speaking from experience, 10" maximum is small for blochii. They will hit 12" to 14" total length. I really wouldn't recommend them for less than a 6' tank. I bought three going of a 10" max and then they kept growing. They also are more active and fun to have if you have a small group, but a single will be fine on its own. In a group they chase each other and trade hiding spots, where one will usually stay hidden until feeding time or lights out.
WYite
I like cats too, especially synos and oddball types like ripsaws, TGS and giraffes , I guess my Rafael is an alternative to a ripsaw and a RTC. I’ve never kept any pim, not even a common pictus, so I’m pretty excited to get this guy, but damn, didn’t realize they got that big. I figured 10” was big and 8” was more average. I looked up some more images after reading your comment and found this blochii. But fortunately i redid the garage, so i think I can get the wife on board with selling the 55 and getting a 125... hopefully
How long did yours take to get big? The one i ordered is around 3.5-4”
I'm not sure I remember correctly on growth time. That was a long time ago. I remember mine were 4" to 4.5" when I got them. They grew as fast as cichlids, maybe even faster. I want to say it was a year and a half or so. The largest was well over 13" TL and the other two were a bit over 12". I measured them as they died for future reference, because they were so much larger than the literature stated.
WYite