Pimelodus pictus
Pimelodus pictus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Pimelodidae |
Genus: | Pimelodus |
Species: | P. pictus
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Binomial name | |
Pimelodus pictus Steindachner, 1876
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Synonyms | |
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Pimelodus pictus, also known as the pictus cat or pictus catfish, is a small (11.0 centimetres (4.3 in)
Pimelodus pictus should not be confused with Leiarius pictus, a much larger (60 cm) pimelodid.
Details
Pimelodus pictus, like other members of the Pimelodidae, are known for having extremely long barbels. These can extend all the way to the caudal fin. The fish are silver-colored with black spots and stripes. They have sharp spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins, which makes shipping a difficult task, since the spines can pierce plastic bags and get caught in nets. There is relatively little sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly larger than males.[2] Like many catfish, P. pictus has a downturned mouth and a forked tail.[3]
These fish are active swimmers and, like many catfish,
In captivity, these fish prefer soft water and are
In the wild, Pimelodus pictus has an estimated average trophic level of 3.19.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Pimelodus pictus". FactSheets. scotcat.com. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
- ^ "Pictus catfish". Retrieved February 16, 2010.
- ^ a b "Pimelodus pictus". Retrieved February 16, 2010.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2012). "Pimelodus pictus" in FishBase. February 2012 version.