Can pictus catfish live with pencilfish?

Verdict
No

No. Pictus catfish and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.

Pictus catfishPictus catfish72–79°F · pH 6–7.5 PencilfishPencilfish75–82°F · pH 5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–79°Pictus catfish 72–79°Pencilfish 75–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6–7.5Pictus catfish 6–7.5Pencilfish 5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Pictus catfish · 5 inPencilfish · 2 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Pictus catfishPencilfish
Temperature72–79 °F75–82 °F
pH6–7.55–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal15 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupGroups of 3+Groups of 6+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for pictus catfish

All pictus catfish tank mates

Better tank mates for pencilfish

All pencilfish tank mates

Questions

Can pictus catfish live with pencilfish?

No. Pictus catfish and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.

What temperature suits both pictus catfish and pencilfish?

75–79 °F. Pictus catfish need 72–79 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.

What size tank do pictus catfish and pencilfish need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the pictus catfish. Add space for each extra fish.