I currently have 4 Pictus in my 55 gallon and I love them. They are so active and swim all over the tank.
My tank is also planted and I have no issues with them tearing up plants, but I have read that they do some minor damage when they get larger.
I plan to add more Pictus, one because I think they are very entertaining and they keep the tank active, and two because they are school pack swimmers. I've read they prefer to be kept in groups of 10 if possible. I plan to have at least have 6. They almost play follow the leader. I see them following each other throughout the tank sometimes in single file lines. They like to swim up and down the glass in a circular motion one behind the other. It's almost as if they are "dogfighting" under water. If you look up videos of a Remora fish, they seem to have movements like them, very quick and agile. I have heard conflicting statements about the schooling size, but usually it's because they play rough with each other, and when one is larger it can do damage. Try to get them all at the same size.
When it comes to feeding, these guys are pigs. I feed them flakes, sinking pellets, bloodworms, etc.. They will eat anything I throw in the tank. I have to hand feed my Knifefish and African Dwarf Frogs, otherwise, the Pictus and Iridescents are too quick. The Apistos don't have issues as once the flakes/worms/etc.. hit the foliage, the Pictus don't bother. Everytime I open my hood, the second the flakes hit the water I just see 4 Pictus heads pop out of the water. They are just that fast.
These guys seem to scrape my tank pretty good too. They are constantly swimming across the gravel and up and down the glass. They like to swim in the airstone bubbles and through the current of the powerhead as well.
There are a few cons. As of now my guys are about 3-4 inches. When they get larger they can be territorial. I have seen small signs of it so far, but only in one of my Pictus. He likes to bother my Apistos whenever they come out of the plants. I don't think he's trying to be a jerk, I just think he's curious.
All in all I love the Pictus. The extra work is totally worth it to keep this fish. They have beautiful markings and don't get too large. I always feel that an active quick moving tank is more enjoyable than a slow moving sluggish one.
WARNING: Do NOT use fishing nets to catch these guys. I learned the hard way, and have read that others have as well. When I bought my first two, I netted the first one to put in my tank and he was fine, but when I netted the second, he got caught in the net. I had to cut my net in order to get him loose, and he ended up swimming around with green netting on him for about a day until I saw he had finally shook it off. He made it through that stress and has been a great fish for me. Some other stories don't seem to have the same good outcome. I went out and bought the plastic rectangular bowls that they use in the fish stores before pouring the fish into your bags just for my Pictus. Also note that while I was cutting him from the net, I accidentally rubbed my finger along one of his fins, and it cut right through me like a paper cut. It was very irritating for a few days. It is recommended that you request your LFS to double bag them because they can cut the bag.
I hope this helps!
