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Encyclopedia of FISH FAMILIES

Pimelodids, or Antennaeus catfishes (Pimelodidae)

Pimeloda are catfish of different size and shape, with three pairs of whiskers (two of which are chin). Pimeloda are similar to their African relatives from the Kosatkov family. Pimeloda - a family rich in genera and species; Among them there are those that remain small, there are large (30 - 60 cm), suitable for keeping in the aquarium only at a young age.

Among the Pimelocom catfishes inhabiting Central America, most belong to the Rhamdia family, and only one species from the genera Pimelodus and Pimelodella ( Pimelo della) were able to spread to eastern Panama ( Darien ). The soms of this family have been brought to Europe for many years. The most popular in aquarium fish are different species of the genus Microglanis (Microglanis), as most often their brown or beige coloring is very beautiful, and the length (8-12 cm) allows to keep them in domestic water. The most famous species are M. iheringi and M. parahybe. Just do not confuse these species with their relatives from the same family, with the genus Pseudopimelodus, the latter reach 18-25 cm. Since all flatheaded catfish enjoy eating meat, in the general aquarium, when they search for food, their large species can do more harm than Smaller ones - for example, microgranis (Microgranis). Among the representatives of the already mentioned Pimelodidae and Pimelodella are known aquarium fish , in particular Pimelodus ornatus, P.albo fasciatus, P. maculatus and P. pictus, as well as Pimelodella gracilis, which we often see in stores. Most of them have long mustaches, and this is already interesting to many aquarists. Their body is silvery, covered with a typical pattern for this type. They grow up to 26 cm. Sorbium paddock (Sorubim lima ) eventually becomes too large for an aquarium (60 cm), but young individuals 10-12 cm long as pets are very curious. Young people in the aquarium feed on small insects that are offered as feed, even larvae, shrimps, etc. The same applies to other species from this family. Representatives of the genera Pseudostomatichthys, Pseudoplatystoma, Sorubirnichthys with their forward snout resembling S. Lita, like Phractocephalus and Leiarius, no matter how good the coloring, For conventional aquariums are not suitable: they are too large.

	Somik- Harlequin ( Microglanis iheringi), from South America
	Pimelodus pictus

Sorubim lita, young specimen

Flatheaded catfish like pets are very unpretentious. Most of the young animals are imported (there is no information about the breeding in the aquarium), and she, though she lived in soft water, will soon get used to the medium-hard one. Soma prefers meat food, but the "size" of the feed should correspond to the size and age of the fish. The water temperature is 22 - 26 ° C and, if possible, not higher.