What catfish would be good for a 29 gallon.

will5 · Post by **will5** » 30 Aug 2007, 20:43

Ok i am not really sure what catfish would make a nice addition to my tank.

I don't have any luck with corys and i already have an albino bushy nose pleco in there. I also have otos in another tank. So i am looking for something different.

Oh and this is a high light planted tank.

Here is what is in the tank already.

5 Red line Rasboras
4 serpae tetras
3 yo yo's
2 A. Caucatoides - triple red
1 Albino bristle nose pleco

I do think that i am a little over stocked as it is but i really just want another catfish to top this tank off.

So do you have any ideas?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 30 Aug 2007, 21:36

This is one of those questions where it's almost impossible to come up with a good answer - it's really up to you.

But maybe we can help you select once you give us a "short-list", e.g. if you ask "which should I choose between these 2, 3 or 5".

A big part of choosing is also about what is available locally - it's no point you deciding to get Catfishicus unobtainium when it's completely impossible to get - right?

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Mats

will5 · Post by **will5** » 30 Aug 2007, 22:00

But maybe we can help you select once you give us a "short-list", e.g. if you ask "which should I choose between these 2, 3 or 5".

That 2, 3 or 5 is what i need help with. As i have no idea as where to start.

Here are my problems-

1. What would be safe to keep with my other fish
2. How to even begin to narrow list down.
3. Even finding a list of fish that would be ok to mix with my fish.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 30 Aug 2007, 22:15

First, we figure out what the maximum size is: 5 inches for a 29 gallon seems about maximum, 4 inches is probably better.

Next, you'll have to figure out what temperature you have in your tank (the ideal one). You haven't stated the temperature, so I'll just guess.

We don't need to worry about your fish eating reasonable sized catfish, so that's not a problem.

Food competition MAY be a problem, the yoyo loaches may get the better of some types of catfish.

I did a search using the http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/search.php for fish that is 3-4" long, likes to be in a tank at 26'C (approx 79'F). There's 73 fish that match, here.

Of course, if you change the temperature or size, you'll get a different list.

Unfortunately, there's no way to say "no corydoras or plecos" in the search, so you'll have to live with having to look through the list and select the ones that aren't.

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Mats

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 31 Aug 2007, 00:23

Maybe you could reconsider some Corydoras. I would go with tank raised Corydoras sterbai because they are very attractive and better suited size wise to your community tank. Supply them with daily feedings of live black worms for the first week or ten days.
Given the fish you already have that are doing fine there is every reason to expect the C. sterbai to do the well. If you use a shallow container like a plastic quart jar lid weighted down with a stone or sand the worms will remain inside until they are eaten. The live food will really help them get off to a good start. Many times Corydoras have been starved too much by the time they reach a LFS and the last move to your tank can take a toll. Live worms restore Corydoras better and faster than anything else. My guess is there are probably over 20,000 Corydoras doing just fine within a 50 mile radius of your house.

I recommend quarantining any new fish but my guess is you don't usually do that.

bslindgren · Post by **bslindgren** » 31 Aug 2007, 02:04

I also had a lot of problems with Corydoras. I think it was because of a) high termperature (28 degrees C)and b) I didn't use Prime (or equivalent). Interestingly, C. sterbai did extremely well even when C. paleatus and C. aeneus didn't, so I would definitely agree with apistomaster that it is a good candidate. It's definitely a favourite of mine in terms of its behaviour. A school of 5 or so would look very nice. They do quite a bit of feeding on the plants, so they utilize the whole aquarium quite nicely, and don't seem bothered by high light at all.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 31 Aug 2007, 10:04

bslindgren wrote:I also had a lot of problems with Corydoras. I think it was because of a) high termperature (28 degrees C)and b) I didn't use Prime (or equivalent). Interestingly, C. sterbai did extremely well even when C. paleatus and C. aeneus didn't, so I would definitely agree with apistomaster that it is a good candidate. It's definitely a favourite of mine in terms of its behaviour. A school of 5 or so would look very nice. They do quite a bit of feeding on the plants, so they utilize the whole aquarium quite nicely, and don't seem bothered by high light at all.

C. sterbai is one of a handfull of Corydoras that are "tolerant to higher temperatures". Most corys prefer temps up to about 25'C, whilst the sterbai will do quite well at temperatures well above that (last summer, I had about 30'C/86'F in my tank, due to the hot weather).

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Mats

will5 · Post by **will5** » 31 Aug 2007, 13:37

Hi tanks to all of you for your help.

Yes i have to admit i don't have a QT tank.

I just don't have the room for one.

I Will look through the list and see what i can find that won't eat my other fish. I will also take a long look at the C. sterbai as well.

bslindgren · Post by **bslindgren** » 02 Sep 2007, 04:17

MatsP wrote:C. sterbai is one of a handfull of Corydoras that are "tolerant to higher temperatures". Most corys prefer temps up to about 25'C, whilst the sterbai will do quite well at temperatures well above that (last summer, I had about 30'C/86'F in my tank, due to the hot weather).

I would have known that if I had subscribed to this forum earlier - the sad part is that many corys paid dearly for my ignorance. I may be repeating myself, but this (and other similar aquarium fora) forum is an incredible resource with expert help literally at your finger tips!!

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 02 Sep 2007, 10:50

Will5,

From what I can see in your avatar, you have gravel in your tank?

Perhaps this caused the early demise of your Corydoras? Sharp gravel can destroy their whiskers and lead to infection.

Another cause could be poor quality stock, or perhaps temperatures that are too high.

What are your water parameters? (hardness, pH, nitrate, temp) as this will rule out many types of catfish.