Slender Pimelodella (Pimelodella gracilis) Care Guide
Pimelodella gracilis is a slender South American three-barbeled catfish from the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata, an active dusk predator.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pimelodella gracilis is a slender three-barbeled catfish of the family Heptapteridae. FishBase records it from the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata basins of South America, with a maximum size of 18.0 cm SL. It is mainly active at dusk.
Taxonomy
- Family: Heptapteridae (three-barbeled catfishes)
- Genus: Pimelodella
- Scientific name: Pimelodella gracilis
Habitat
FishBase places it in tropical, demersal freshwater across the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata drainages, with a reported pH range of 6.5-7.8 and dH 5-20. It is mainly active at dusk and into the night.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
FishBase classes it as carnivorous (trophic level 3.2), feeding on worms and insects, and notes active feeding at dusk. In the aquarium it accepts meaty sinking foods, frozen and live items, fed after dark.
Compatibility
An active mid-sized predator, it is best housed with similarly sized, non-aggressive companions such as larger tetras and cichlids. Avoid small fish it could eat. Provide caves, driftwood and a soft substrate.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Pimelodella gracilis Breeding Guide
Overview
Pimelodella gracilis, the graceful pimelodella, is a slender three-barbelled catfish of the family Heptapteridae. According to FishBase it occurs in the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata basins of South America, reaches about 18 cm standard length, and is mainly active at dusk in freshwater habitats.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No confirmed spawning observations exist for this species. As a heptapterid, it is presumed to be an egg-layer like other members of the genus, but the specific trigger, site choice and clutch behaviour have not been documented. Many small Neotropical riverine catfishes spawn in the rainy season as water levels rise, which is a general pattern rather than a verified protocol for P. gracilis.
Common Challenges
Reliable external sexing is not established, the fish is nocturnal and predatory, and there is no published fry-rearing data. Because the reproductive biology is recorded only as an assumption, a deliberate breeding routine cannot be responsibly prescribed.