Description:
Pimelodus pintado is distinguished from congeners
by the combination of its densely spotted pigmentation
pattern with many small dots irregularly placed over
flanks, head and all fins, and, when fresh, metallic
golden background colour, plus thick striated lips
with prominent rictal folds, long snout, prominent
upper jaw, anterior naris far from snout margin, narrow
premaxillary tooth bands with rounded posterolateral
corners, toothless prevomer and 22-26 gill rakers
on first branchial arch. Pimelodus pintado
is compared to other spotted species of Pimelodus
including P.
maculatus,
P. heraldoi, P. absconditus, P. microstoma,
P. mysteriosus, P. paranaensis, P. platicirris,
P. ortmanni, P. britskii, P. fur, P.
grosskopfii, P. navarroi, P. coprophagus
and P.
punctatus. Habitat:
Pimelodus pintado belongs to the genus Pimelodus
from the Cebollatí, Tacuarí and Yaguarón
rivers emptying into the Laguna Merín, Uruguay.
Aquarium Care: Provide hiding places
for this 'pim' and you will be able to see it on the
odd occasions when food is introduced. Peaceful species
but not to be trusted with small fish such as tetras
as they will pick them of at night on their forays
so they must be kept with species larger or compatible
with it such as barbs, gouramis, cichlids and other
South American catfish. Diet: Most
aquarium fare such as tablet, flake, worm and frozen
foods
Common
Name:
Pictus Cat
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Pimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:
Uruguay, known from three affluent rivers of Laguna
Merín. Type locality: Río
Cebollatí, Uruguay.
Size:
28.0cm. (11ins)
Temp:
20-24°C (67-75°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.5.
Reference:
Azpelicueta, M.M.:
Lundberg, J.G. and M. Loureiro,
2008. Pimelodus pintado (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae),
a new species of catfish from affluent rivers of Laguna
Merín, Uruguay, South America. Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phil. 157:149-162.
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