Skip to main content
Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Pictus catfish live with Ropefish / reed fish?

Pictus catfish

Pictus catfish

Pimelodus pictus

peaceful~14cm
Ropefish / reed fish

Ropefish / reed fish

Erpetoichthys calabaricus

peaceful~30cm
VerdictGOOD

Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.

In many setups, Pictus catfish and Ropefish / reed fish are often kept together in a suitable peaceful community when temperature and pH are matched and the tank is sized for adults. Individual behaviour, filtration, and layout still decide whether it works in your home.

Compatibility score

100/100

Profile confidence: high

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 °C24–28°C shared
Pictus catfishRopefish / reed fishShared window
pH
Range6–7.2 shared
Pictus catfishRopefish / reed fishShared window

Assessment details

  1. Compatible temperaments

    Both Pictus catfish and Ropefish / reed fish share a peaceful temperament.

  2. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

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.
  • •Ropefish / reed fish reaches ~30cm: tank length and turning room matter more than the litre number. A tall, short tank of the same volume is not equivalent.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.
  • 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.

  • Seriously Fish. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

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

  • FishBase. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

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

  • Wikipedia. Erpetoichthys calabaricus

    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 Pictus catfish + Ropefish / reed fish

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

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.

Full tank-mate guides

Other tank mates for Pictus catfish