Pimelodus Blochii Questions

[divemaster99]

I am going to be getting Pimelodus blochii with a few other cichlids in a couple weeks when my tank is done cycling and have some questions about them.

1. Do they need to be kept in groups and/or are they more active in groups?

2. How active are they? I have seen some out all the time, some only out for feeding, and some never out until lights are out, but in general how active?

3. Any specific foods better for it? For example: bloodworms better than brine shrimp, etc..

4. What is the average size it will get in 75 gallon tank and what is the growth rate? I have heard they can get up to 14 but that is not common.

5. Can they be trained to hand-feed and if so how to get them comfortable with your presence?

6. What are some good (and exact types of) hiding spots for them such as pots or under driftwood, caves, etc. that they can still be viewed from?

I know that most of this can be researched and I have but I also like to get the opinions of people who have owned them.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

1. Do they need to be kept in groups and/or are they more active in groups?
***IME, it's a gamble... with larger fishes. They are ok with each other when small, up to maybe 4"-5". I think they get territorial after that. While small(ish) they are most definitely far more active in groups of say at least half a dozen.

2. How active are they? I have seen some out all the time, some only out for feeding, and some never out until lights are out, but in general how active?
***In general, they are hiders when larger. A bit more of the cruisers when smaller and in a large company of their own and others. Sometimes people succeed in getting them to be semi-active but this is rare. When they don't feel safe, they spaz out and dart around madly, injuring themselves on the furniture.

3. Any specific foods better for it? For example: bloodworms better than brine shrimp, etc..
***I'd not bother with such expensive foods. They are in the top 10 of the non-fussiest feeders. Pellets, fish pieces, etc. etc. etc. are usually taken with great gusto.

4. What is the average size it will get in 75 gallon tank and what is the growth rate? I have heard they can get up to 14 but that is not common.
***It will reach a foot no matter how small the tank is, if it does not die from stress prematurely. They get to ~5"-6" rather quickly, 1-2 years, then slow down a lot. 10" takes ~5 years or more. 14" is rare. 10+ years.

5. Can they be trained to hand-feed and if so how to get them comfortable with your presence?
***IDK. Never tried specifically. Lots of my catfish hand-fed but blochii (in the same tank) never came to my hand.

6. What are some good (and exact types of) hiding spots for them such as pots or under driftwood, caves, etc. that they can still be viewed from?
***Under driftwood. Between glass and say a stone slate. They are not picky as long as they feel protected enough.

 

[divemaster99]

Thanks for the feedback but would a group of P. Pictus say 3 be much of a difference from 1 blochii since they get bigger. I really just want an active pimelodid that won't exceed my bio load. Other fish in the tank will be a severum, a convict, a firemouth, 6 giant danios, a rainbow shark, a striped raphael catfish, and a sailfin pleco (for a few years until it gets to large). Also, which of your cats handfed, I am very interested in getting one that does?

 

[Crazy mike]

Pictus would work although in my experience they aren't as robust as 4 lines. All my died either from ick or stressed themselves to death.

Sent from my VS840 4G

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Thanks for the feedback but would a group of P. Pictus say 3 be much of a difference from 1 blochii since they get bigger. I really just want an active pimelodid that won't exceed my bio load. Other fish in the tank will be a severum, a convict, a firemouth, 6 giant danios, a rainbow shark, a striped raphael catfish, and a sailfin pleco (for a few years until it gets to large). Also, which of your cats handfed, I am very interested in getting one that does?

Pictus are recommended to stock in a group of at least 6. I don't keep cichlids much. IDK about the compatibility.

They were either big or would grow big - Leiarius species, Cephalosilurus species, Malapterus electricus, TSN, RTC, lots of others. The smallest was probably LSN - lima shovelnose = Sorubim either lima or elongatus.

 

[celebrist]

my four line is nearly a foot long and about 15 years old. he stays in his cave until shrimp pellets or nls hits the ground then he darts in and out of his cave vacuuming up pellets and spreading them everywhere when he runs back to his cave. I started him in a 90 at around 3" and he is in a 150 now I love him so much i got second one last year as an eventual replacement. they do not hang out together and "felix" stays as far away from "morris"as possible unless it is feeding time

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Sounds nice, mate. Post some pics please (in your own thread if you wish). My biggest blochii was ~14" TL and ~5 lbs. I have no pics of him, sadly. He lived in a 4000 gal pond.