Pictus catfish tank mates
A long-whiskered predatory catfish at 14 cm that eats any fish small enough to fit in its mouth. Often sold alongside tetras it will consume overnight.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The Pictus catfish profile lists Bala / silver shark as both safe and a recommended pairing. Bala / silver shark schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Bala / silver shark grows bigger than Pictus catfish (35cm vs 14cm). Stock the Pictus catfish group large enough to outnumber the Bala / silver shark, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Pictus catfish profile lists Boesemani Rainbowfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Boesemani Rainbowfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Pictus catfish profile lists Congo Tetra as a recommended pairing. Congo Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Pictus catfish profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Pictus catfish profile lists Giant danio as both safe and a recommended pairing. Giant danio schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Risky or situational
From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Fish to avoid with Pictus catfish
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Pictus catfish is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Chili Rasbora at 2cm is well within an adult Pictus catfish's gape.
Pictus catfish is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Guppy at 5cm is well within an adult Pictus catfish's gape.
Pictus catfish is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Ember Tetra at 2cm is well within an adult Pictus catfish's gape.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Pictus catfish: 250L — group minimum 5 (schooling).
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 250L hub.
Easier alternatives to consider
Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 250L minimum tank for Pictus catfish needs a filter rated for at least 1000L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Cuckoo / petricola catfish — min 200L
- Twig / whiptail catfish — min 150L
- Emerald catfish (Brochis) — min 120L
- Bronze corydoras — min 100L
- Sterba's Corydoras — min 100L
- Upside-down Catfish — min 100L
- Adolfoi cory — min 80L
- Glass Catfish — min 80L
Other species that list Pictus catfish
Reverse lookup: these profiles reference Pictus catfish under safe or “best with” lists.