Sailfin Pimeloid

About

The sailfin pimeloid (Leiarius marmoratus) is a large, impressively-built catfish native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America, where it haunts riverbeds, deep channels, and lakes. Its common name comes from the elongated, sail-like dorsal fin that sets it apart from most other South American catfish, and the marbled patterning across its body adds to its distinctive look. In the wild, younger fish and sub-adults gather in sizable schools, making this one of the more socially-inclined large catfish you'll encounter in the hobby. Adults, however, are serious animals. Individuals regularly reach two feet or more, and the largest specimens can push well past three feet, so this is not a fish you can plan to rehome into a bigger tank later. Like many catfish, it's most active around dawn, dusk, and through the night, preferring to rest on rocky surfaces or submerged wood during daylight hours. In the aquarium it will need a carnivore-appropriate diet and plenty of space to move. Given its eventual size, this species is best suited to keepers who already have experience managing large, predatory fish and the filtration demands that come with them.