Pimelodella sp.
Pimelodella Catfish (Pimelodella sp.)
Pimelodella Catfish (Pimelodella sp.)
14 in stock
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Remarks: The Pimelodella genus is one that is rarely seen in the hobby which is unfortunate as they are very fascinating to observe when active. They bear a heavy resemblance both in appearance and behavior to their more common relatives, the pictus catfish, which belong to the Pimelodus genus. A trait commonly used to differentiate between the two genera is the shape and size of the adipose fin. In Pimelodus this fin is short in length, tall, and triangular while in Pimelodella this fin is long, short in height, and rounded. Pimelodella catfish have elongated and streamlined bodies clearly built for speed that shows when they zip about the tanks when being fed or after the lights have gone out. Their long whiskers give them an elegant look as well. Members of this genus look heavily similar to one another making it very difficult to determine species. We believe the one we currently have is Pimelodella gracilis based upon its long body, deep divide in the caudal fin, and the long, thin black stripe running the length of the fish starting at the gill plate and ending at the tail.
Pimelodella catfish primarily are found in South America, specifically in the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata basins, though one species can be found in Central America in Panama and Costa Rica. Their natural habitats consist of areas with heavy flow resulting in very clean, clear, and well oxygenated waters. These conditions along with a low conductivity/hardness and a low to neutral pH should be replicated within the home aquarium to help the pimelodella catfish thrive. This can further be ensured by providing a varied diet high in protein as they naturally prey on insect larvae as well as small crustaceans and fish. In the wild, they travel in large schools so they should be kept in groups of 5 or more provided there is plenty of territory space. Being kept in groups as well as being provided plenty of dark caves to hide in will help encourage these nocturnal catfish to come out of hiding more often. While pimelodella catfish are fairly peaceful toward anything that can’t fit in their mouths, if not kept in groups they can become very aggressive and nippy toward other tankmates. These active catfish can make a great addition of excitement and action to the bottom of a tank full of larger South American species such as uaru because they can hold their own and get large enough to not be swallowed. Overall, we hope these catfish can be an interesting alternative to the more common pictus catfish with their charming personalities and high activity levels.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: South America
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Colombia
- Max adult size: 6-7"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Moderate
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 68°F - 75°F
- pH range: 6.0 - 7.5
- GH range: 15 ppm - 150 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee