125 gallon (catfish?) community

[Suckermouth]

I have a 125 gallon community. It's currently a catfish tank but this can change in the future. Except for the Panaque, which I have had for years in the tank alone, the rest of my fish I have only had anywhere from weeks to a few months.

Current fish:
8x Pareutropius buffei (~1.5" ea)
1x Entomocorus radiosus (~2")
1x Bagrichthys macracanthus (~2")
1x Synodontis decorus-like hybrid (~3.5") (See topic in What's my catfish?)
1x Panaque sp. L330(?) (~8-9")

Filtration:
Emperor 400
Aquaclear 500

Some of the below fish are being considered:
Semaprochilodus sp.; not likely, as they are very uncommon here
Denisonii barbs
Naturally large-finned tetras such as Rosy, Bleeding Heart, Red Phantom, or perhaps even Congos
Discus; but I don't think that they are a possibility, but figure I'd include them
Rams or some other dwarf cichlid
Pimelodella sp. (there's one at the LFS, but I can't identify it, I'm worried it'll eat the P. buffei)
Corydoras sp. (panda? arcuatus? sterbai?)
Black Ghost Knife

I know there are tons of options, but I was looking for some thoughts on what other fish I can have in such an aquarium. I have an interest in the more unusual. I'm also trying to look for fish that will be out and about during the day and don't try to hide everytime someone approaches the tank; I may have to resort to Angelfish and Gourami but was hoping there might be something more unusual. It's a bonus if the fish are colorful. I've thought about Rainbowfish but for schooling fish they are pricier than I'd like.

I'm also thinking about bottom feeders because there are some patches in my tank where some waste sometimes builds up, and I'm thinking that having some bottom feeders just merely swimming regularly will mix it up so the filters can pick it up; thus, Cories are being considered. Basically I'm hoping by the act of exploring everything, the fish will make sure that waste won't build up anywhere between gravel siphoning and water changes. Again, the hope is that they will be out during the day doing their thing. When it comes to Cories I want something that may possibly breed in the 125 gallon, just for kicks. It'd also be nice if the P. buffei spawned... But I'm not going to specifically work towards spawning fish; it'd just be nice if they did it on their own.

Other catfish options are also welcome.

Thoughts?

[jopbgon]

pics will be apreciated

[Suckermouth]

I don't have pics of the tank itself; I'm trying to actually scape it to look marginally presentable rather than with large expanses of gravel with the odd flower pot and rock. On the other hand, I've been taking some recent pics of my fish... As long as you're curious...

P. buffei


E. radiosus


B. macracanthus


Syno hybrid, missing left pectoral fin


Panaque sp.

[Richard B]

Have you considered any of the other woodcats (tatia etc) - they would probably fit in nicely & there is always the possibility of breeding...?

[Suckermouth]

Have you considered any of the other woodcats (tatia etc) - they would probably fit in nicely & there is always the possibility of breeding...?

Oooh, I have always wanted T. perugiae. The article on PC makes it seem that they are quite easy to breed too, although things are easier said then done. I haven't ever seen any Tatia around here (although interestingly enough, my E. radiosus was sold as a Tatia!). I'll see if the LFS can order them in for me.

[Richard B]

You could sift through the forums to see if there are any contributors near to you who might know where to get them or even have them.

the one thing about this site is a great willingness to help others (actually there are many great things about this site ) so if you ask you might get some good leads - nothing to lose anyway.

[Suckermouth]

Thanks, I will look into that.

Here's what I'm thinking about adding:
6-12 Corydoras sterbai, if they're not too pricy.
A pair of Ancistrus sp.
2 or 3-6 Tatia perugiae, also depending on price.

None of these are currently at the LFSes around here, so I'll ask them about it. I've heard shipping right now isn't great because of cold weather, though.

[hfjacinto]

I see you are in Delaware, if you don't mind a 2 hour drive I can recommend some nice LFS near me. I have 2 within 5 miles that stock very nice exotic catfish.

In PA you could go to That Fish Place in Lancaster, good prices and a large selection.

[Suckermouth]

Thanks, but that's an awfully long drive if I can't make sure they're going to have fish I'd like to get.

[MatsP]

Thanks, but that's an awfully long drive if I can't make sure they're going to have fish I'd like to get.

There's two ways to look at that: If you are 100% definite what you want, then the obvious things to do is:
1. Phone the shop first.
2. Ask your LFS to get the fish in for you.

If you are not 100% sure what fish you want, then going somewhere there is a good selection, there's a good chance you'll find SOMETHING you like in a well assorted shop. I have certainly driven a fair distance and come back with nothing, simply because I wanted to see what the shop had - and perhaps come back some time later for what I want.

--
Mats

[Bas Pels]

I often go to a shop 1 hour from home - to look at what they got

Quite often I buy some fish, but only rarely what I expected to find

[Dave Rinaldo]

I drive 3.5 hrs round trip to look,
even though I work at a GREAT LFS!

[Richard B]

Here in the UK i've driven from one end of the country to the other & back in a day (on more than one occasion) just to have a look at a shop/some fish - i used to work in a shop that over the years has just about had everything in you could ever expect to see, but as ther are exports from further afield theres more to see - round trips of 12 hours plus are not unknown. I missed a very good friends wedding when i got caught up talking about fish at a store in the wrong part of the country

[Suckermouth]

I get the point. There are people in this world even crazier than myself, lol. I asked the LFS a couple weeks back to see if the could order in Tatia perugiae, but no response from that yet.

As an update, I've gotten 3 Corydoras panda, 6 Corydoras sterbai, 1 Parailia pellucida, and 2 Ancistrus sp. in my tank as well now. Here's a link to an album for pics of the tank set-up and fish.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... d=11317272