Bloch's Pimelodella (Pimelodella blochii) Care Guide
Pimelodella blochii is a slender South American three-barbeled catfish, nocturnal and predatory toward small fish, kept with caves and soft substrate.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pimelodella blochii is a slender three-barbeled catfish of the family Heptapteridae from South America. It is a nocturnal, bottom-oriented species with long barbels, and like other members of its genus it is a predator that will take small fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Heptapteridae (three-barbeled catfishes)
- Genus: Pimelodella
- Scientific name: Pimelodella blochii
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
The species is carnivorous, hunting at night for small prey. In the aquarium it accepts meaty sinking foods, frozen and live items, and should be fed after lights-out to match its nocturnal activity.
Compatibility
Generally peaceful toward fish too large to swallow but a predator on small tankmates. House it with robustly sized companions such as larger tetras and cichlids, and avoid small fish. Provide caves, driftwood and a soft substrate.
Pimelodella blochii Breeding Guide
Overview
Pimelodella blochii is a slender, long-barbelled South American catfish of the family Heptapteridae. The genus Pimelodella is the largest in its family, currently holding around 81 recognised species, and ranges on both sides of the Andes from Panama to Paraguay and southern Brazil. The genus is noted as being in need of taxonomic revision.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproductive mode in Pimelodella gracilis, a close congener, is recorded by FishBase as assumed to match other members of the genus rather than directly observed. Heptapterid catfishes are generally egg-layers that deposit eggs in sheltered areas; many small riverine catfishes spawn at the onset of the rainy season in response to rising, flooding water. None of this has been confirmed specifically for P. blochii.
Common Challenges
The species is nocturnal and predatory, and external sexing is not established for it. Without documented triggers, group dynamics or fry-rearing data, deliberate breeding cannot be described responsibly. Aquarists interested in pimelodid reproduction have better-documented options within the family.