Sailfin Marbled Catfish (Leiarius pictus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Sailfin Marbled Catfish, Painted Catfish, Saddle Catfish, Sailfin Pim
Family
Pimelodidae (long-whiskered catfishes)
Origin
South America: Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo basins and coastal rivers of the Guianas.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
60 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6.2–7.6
Hardness
Up to 18 °dGH
Minimum tank
2000 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A striking, tall-finned pimelodid reaching about 60 cm standard length. It is sold small and cheap but quickly outgrows ordinary aquaria. The 2,000-litre minimum here is our estimate from adult size; the tank should be long and wide with plenty of open water. Decor: a large, shady bogwood root or a wide pipe as a daytime retreat, with the rest of the tank left open. Make sure heaters and equipment are protected or outside the tank, as adults are powerful. Water: 22-26 °C, pH 6.2-7.6, hardness up to about 18 °dGH. Strong filtration and generous water changes are needed for a fish of this size. Identification: young fish show two pale bands across a dark body; adults become marbled. Often confused with L. longibarbis and L. marmoratus (which has a taller dorsal fin when young). Females are heavier and more robust, males slimmer. Status: IUCN Least Concern (2020). Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=290); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Leiarius-pictus.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Carnivore. Earthworms, whole prawns, mussel, large catfish pellets and floating sticks; eats small fish in the wild. Feed growing youngsters generously and adults less often, with larger meals.

Breeding

No aquarium spawnings have been documented, almost certainly because of the adult size. Females are bulkier than males.

Compatibility and tank mates

Predatory: any fish small enough to swallow will be eaten. Suitable for very large tanks with other big fish such as Oscars and other large cichlids, large characins and robust catfish.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].