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oeldiella eques, a member of the Heptaperidae family, is quite a pretty species and is noted for its sloped head and the common name of the "Fox Face Pimelodella" or the "Horsehead Pimelodid" referring to its specific name eques (meaning horse). It is monotypic (the only member of its genus) with Goelldiella being a sub-family of the Pimelodidae, Heptapteridaeinae, which is now been given full family status. There are up to 200 species in this South and Central American family comprising mostly of the genera Imparfinis, Pimelodella, Brachyrhamdia and Rhamdia. Most are predators which vary in size but can be kept in an aquarium with tank mates that have been chosen carefully.

Goeldiella eques

Distinguished from the close family of Pimelodidae by the flattened head, the shape of the occipital crest and the narrowly rounded anal. The obliquely rounded caudal and long adipose fin, together with distinctive lateral band which forks a t-shape from the base of the dorsal. Often confused with the African Bagrid Chrysichthys ornatus from the Claroteidae  family due to its similar colour pattern. The difference of course is that the African species, C. ornatus, has an extra pair of barbels in having nasal barbels, a shorter adipose fin and a different head shape and is also not as rare in imports as G. eques.

Goeldiella eques - head view

Fox Face Pimelodella, Horsehead Pimelodid

Pimelodus eques

Heptapteridaeinae

South America: Coastal Rivers of the Guianas and Amazon River basin. Type locality: In allen Flüssen Guiana’s.

25.0cm. (9¾ins)

23-26°C (72-79°F)

Described as the body being not as wide as deep at the level of the pectoral fins and is compressed towards the caudal. Large eyes, being contained only about 5 times in the head length. There is a deep groove from the maxillary barbel to below the eye; the maxillary barbels are long, extending to beyond the tip of the caudal fin. The adipose fin is long, about 3 to 3½ times in the length.

In the aquarium you should treat this species as you would any "Pim" and house them with tank mates that are the same size or larger and who occupy a different layer of the tank be it mid water or top. Provide a sand or rounded gravel substrate some driftwood with subdued lighting. Plants are optional as they may be uprooted on their night time forays. Not suitable to be housed with smaller species but should fit in with South American Cichlids and larger Characins in a spacious tank.

Has been bred in the normal t-mating Corydoradinae fashion. Provide a small species only tank with a sand substrate, a good water current, java moss and possibly spawning mops could be an advantage. Cool water changes of 50% once or twice a week. Small live foods is a good recipe for a spawning success. A group of at least 4/6 individuals is a good bet for any achievement.

As yet unknown.

Mostly live foods such as earthworms, whiteworms and frozen foods such as bloodworm and tubifex. Will also accept catfish pellets, mussels and tablet food.

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin: The fin forward from the anal cavity.
Caudal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Maxillary barbels: Pertaining to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels).
Occipital: A median bone on the upper surface of the back of the head; pertaining to the occiput.
Pectoral fin: The paired fins just behind the head.

Goeldiella: In honour of Goeld, (diminutive form).
eques: From ‘eques’, a horse.

Burgess, W.E. 1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes. A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
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Sands, David; Catfishes of the World, Volume 3 Auchenipteridae & Pimelodidae. Dunure Publications 1984.

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