Can You Keep Pictus Catfish in an Indoor Pond?

Pictus catfish have a distinctive appearance, boasting dark brown or black spots on their silvery translucent skin and long barbels. They are relatively hardy in captivity, given that appropriate water conditions are maintained. Pictus catfish will scavenge uneaten food from the floor of the pond, which prevents water contamination and makes them a beneficial addition to their environment. While their relatively nocturnal habits may provide little interesting behavior during the day, there will be occasional daytime sightings within your indoor pond.

  1. Size

    • Pictus catfish grow to an average length of 4 to 5 inches and congregate in small groups. Your indoor pond should be large enough to accommodate several average pictus catfish and still leave room for other any other fish you keep as well. Keep in mind that appropriate pond size isn't just determined by the physical space available to your fish, but also by the amount of water they will need to remain healthy. The water in larger ponds will become contaminated by waste, uneaten food and the water cycle more slowly than the water in a small pond, so use a pond with at least a 75 gallon capacity to prevent high levels of ammonia or nitrates from building up between water changes.

    Habitat and Water Flow

    • Pictus catfish prefer moving water in their natural habitats. A small submersible pump will keep the water in your pond circulating and prevent stagnation. The pictus catfish is most at home in shallow, sandy rivers, so consider a sandy substrate on the floor of your pond. They will do well in the company of several others of the same species, and will not generally act aggressively toward other fish their size or larger, but they will eat very small fish. Do not keep them with tetras, guppies or other small fish that are easy to swallow.

    Shelter

    • Provide shelter by filling your pond with aquatic plants. Plants tend to need light, but pictus catfish prefer shade, so include water lilies or other plants with floating leaves to generate shade for them. Placing lava rock or other stones along the floor of your pond may also provide some shelter. They will be more active at night, when the sun is down and your indoor lights are off, so you may only see them infrequently during the day.

    Temperature

    • Pictus catfish thrive at water temperatures from 72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so place your pond in an area of the home where you can maintain this temperature range consistently. If your home is cooler than this, use a submersible aquarium heater to bring the temperature up. You fish can suffer during warmer seasons when your house may heat up, so place your pond near an air conditioner or cooling vent and use a submersible heater to stabilize the water temperature within.