Can rainbow sharks live with pictus catfish?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and pictus catfish can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

Rainbow sharkRainbow shark72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Pictus catfishPictus catfish72–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–79°Rainbow shark 72–80°Pictus catfish 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Rainbow shark 6.5–7.5Pictus catfish 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Rainbow shark · 6 inPictus catfish · 5 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

Rainbow sharkPictus catfish
Temperature72–80 °F72–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size6.0 in5.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal55 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankGroups of 3+
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for rainbow sharks

All rainbow shark tank mates

Better tank mates for pictus catfish

All pictus catfish tank mates

Questions

Can rainbow sharks live with pictus catfish?

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and pictus catfish can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

What temperature suits both rainbow sharks and pictus catfish?

72–79 °F. Rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F, pictus catfish need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do rainbow sharks and pictus catfish need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the rainbow shark. Add space for each extra fish.