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.

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).