Pimelodus ornatus Breeding Guide

Pimelodus ornatus is a migratory pimelodid with no reported successful breeding in the hobby; spawning depends on wet-season river migration.

Overview

Pimelodus ornatus, the ornate pim, is a boldly patterned long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae, widespread across much of northern South America including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Seriously Fish reports a maximum standard length around 28 cm, occupying shallow flowing waters and seasonally flooded várzea lakes.

Sexing

Sexing is recorded as unknown, although adult females are likely to be stockier in build than males.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Spawning is linked to seasonal upstream migration during the rainy period. Because the environmental cues driving migration and spawning cannot be recreated in an aquarium, no tested breeding routine exists for this species.