Bloch's Catfish (Pimelodus blochii) Care Guide
Pimelodus blochii is a hardy South American long-whiskered catfish from large lowland rivers, an omnivorous forager that eats smaller fish.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pimelodus blochii is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae. FishBase records it from the Gulf of Paria, Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo and Orinoco basins of South America, with a maximum size of 35 cm TL. It commonly occurs in the lower reaches of large rivers and shelters beneath submerged wood.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pimelodidae (long-whiskered catfishes)
- Genus: Pimelodus
- Scientific name: Pimelodus blochii
Habitat
FishBase reports a benthopelagic species of fresh and brackish waters, commonly in the lower reaches of large rivers, sheltering under submerged wood. It is gregarious and may be active by night or day, with an intestinal-breathing capacity.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
FishBase describes an omnivorous forager (trophic level 3.1) that consumes fruits, small fishes, insects and detritus. In the aquarium it accepts meaty sinking foods and will eat tankmates small enough to swallow.
Compatibility
Hardy but predatory toward small fish; house with robustly sized companions such as larger tetras and cichlids and avoid small fish. It needs a spacious tank with caves, driftwood and a soft substrate.
Breeding
FishBase notes females produce roughly 50,000 eggs via external fertilization, with likely upstream migration during spawning.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020).
Pimelodus blochii Breeding Guide
Overview
Pimelodus blochii is a gregarious long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae, found across the Gulf of Paria and the Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo and Orinoco basins of South America. According to FishBase it reaches about 35 cm total length and occupies freshwater and brackish lower river reaches, often sheltering under submerged wood.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase reports that the species probably migrates upstream during reproduction, with the female laying an average of about 50,000 eggs that are fertilised externally. This very high fecundity, broadcast spawning and long-distance migration are tied to seasonal river cycles rather than aquarium conditions.
Egg & Fry Care
As a broadcast spawner with externally fertilised eggs and enormous clutch sizes, the species provides no parental care and relies on river flow to disperse eggs and larvae. There is no documented home-aquarium fry-rearing protocol.