Skip to main content
Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Guppy live with Pictus catfish?

VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Guppy + Pictus catfish: Pictus catfish may eat Guppy. Pictus catfish (14cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.

Compatibility score

30/100

Profile confidence: medium

How we decideFishori checks adult size and predation risk, behaviour, water requirements and tank needs before giving a verdict.

Min tank

250L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 250L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C22–28°C shared
GuppyPictus catfishShared window
pH
Range6.8–7.5 shared
GuppyPictus catfishShared window
Size / predation

Pictus catfish (about 14cm as an adult) can realistically eat Guppy (about 5cm) once grown. Plan around adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Assessment details

  1. Compatible temperaments

    Both Guppy and Pictus catfish share a peaceful temperament.

  2. Pictus catfish may eat Guppy

    Top issue

    Pictus catfish (14cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

“Pictus catfish (14cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small…”

Pictus catfish may eat Guppy

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Pictus catfish should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.

Try instead

  • →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.
  • Seriously Fish. Poecilia reticulata

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Poecilia reticulata

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Poecilia reticulata

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

  • Wikipedia. Guppy

    Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.

  • Seriously Fish. Pimelodus pictus

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Pimelodus pictus

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Pimelodus pictus

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Guppy + Pictus catfish

Plan further

Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.