Edit Leiarius longibarbis

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Name

Scientific name

Leiarius longibarbis

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Pimelodidae

Common names

Marbled Pim

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

The marbled pim, Leiarius longibarbis, is a large pimelodid catfish from the Rio Orinoco, Rio Essequibo and Amazon basins. It grows to arou…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

800mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 300 cm, Minimum depth 90 cm, Minimum height 120 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 21–26°C, pH 5.8–7.4

Hardness

5–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Amazon

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Known from the Rio Orinoco in Colombia and Venezuela, Rio Essequibo in Guyana, and the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.

Habitat

Inhabits large rivers and lakes. It lurks among submerged tree roots and other refuges during daylight hours, emerging at night to feed.

Aquarium size

Something in the region of 300 ∗ 90 ∗ 120 cm - ~3240 litres would be needed for a fully-grown fish.

Maintenance

Strictly speaking, decor isn't necessary for a tank containing an adult, provided the lighting is fairly dim. You can however add some large chunks of bogwood,…

Water conditions

Temperature: 21 – 26 °C pH: 5.8-7.4 Hardness: 5-20°H

Diet

Piscivorous by nature, but usually adapts well to dead foods in captivity. It relishes meaty items such as prawns, mussels, cockle, lancefish or earthworms. La…

Piscivorous by nature, but usually adapts well to dead foods in captivity. It relishes meaty items such as prawns, mussels, cockle, lancefish or earthworms. Larger specimens can be offered whole fish fillets (use white fish). Try to keep the diet varied or you may find it becomes too accustomed to a particular food and is reluctant to accept anything else. Also take care not to overfeed. It's easy for predatory species to become overweight in captivity, especially when fed a high protein diet. This can lead to health problems in the long term. Feed every other day when juvenile but as the fish grows reduce the frequency. An adult specimen needs only a single meal per week at most.

This species should not be fed the meat of mammals such as beef heart or chicken. Some of the lipids contained in these meats cannot be properly metabolised by the fish, and can cause excess deposits of fat and even organ degeneration. Similarly, there is no benefit in the use of 'feeder' fish such as livebearers or small goldfish. Risks involved with feeding these include the potential of disease introduction.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Behaviour and compatibility

Whilst it won't hesitate to gobble any smaller fish, it's actually quite peaceful and can be kept alongside other similarly-sized species in suitable surroundi…

Sexual dimorphism

Virtually impossible to sex by external characteristics. Adult females are likely to be stockier in build than males.

Reproduction

Unreported in captivity.

Notes

It's debatable as to whether this species should be considered an aquarium subject at all, given its eventual size. All too often, juveniles are sold without a…

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References