Ceratogomphus pictus, the common thorntail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae.

It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo (one isolated record from Katanga[2]).

Its natural habitats are the edges of large pools and slow-flowing streams.

[3] The face is yellow with black bands and the eyes are greyish blue.

The synthorax has broad grey and greenish-yellow stripes bordered by thin black lines.