Tell me about the Doradidaes!

[AlaskanCorydoras]

I lubs the cories. No surprise considering my forum name.

In this go around, I also have several plecos. (3 common, 2 bushynose, two clowns, 4 hoppae ottos) of which my 3 commons are "interesting."

So now I'm curious about the Doradidae family. The chocolates look awesome but seem to be very rare.

I'd be thinking about putting them in a 55gallon (12"x48"x18") so nothing over 7.5" I'm interested more in personality than appearance. They'd be tanked with gouramis and rainbowfish, so nothing at all aggressive.

[Bas Pels]

Many dorades - in fact, I think all of them, are much more nocturnal than Corydoras. Many are quite hardy fishes, I have my Platydoras amatulus with central American cichlids - for 20 years now

However, being nocturnal does provide quite some protectioon againsd cichlids - which are all but nocturnal

Personally, I would suggest to go for smaller fish then the 7.5 inches you consider your top. My platydoras are in a 9 foot tank - measuring 20 cm - that is 8 inches.

However, smaller fish can be found, for instance Agamystis pectifrons (hope the spelling is correct) or Playtoras hanockey (I think these are less hardy then mine). these are best kept in a small group, of say 3-5.

Other species, such as Hasar seem to be very interesing to me too, I'll buy them when Isee them, but it never happened.

On a sidenote, you wrote you got 3 common plecos. Assuming common pleco is most likely Pterogoblichthys pardalis, under discussion whether they outgrow the 14 inches menstioned in the Cat-e-logue, they will grow way too large for your tank

[zenyfish]

Many dorades - in fact, I think all of them, are much more nocturnal than Corydoras.

Above is the main reason I never got into doradidaes. I've always wondered if there were small species that were not nocturnal. Number 7 on Jool's favorite catfish list seems to indicate they are an exception?

"7. Mouse Catfish Hassar notospilus Not commonly seen which is a shame as, once acclimatized, these are active, gregarious catfish. Not pretty but full of character."

[AlaskanCorydoras]

You make the assumption I'm not going to move them to larger tanks when they outgrow their current one.

[Bas Pels]

You make the assumption I'm not going to move them to larger tanks when they outgrow their current one.

That is right. You wrote 'my tank', that is, singular

Still, many things can happen between now and say 2 years when you need a bigger tank - a lot of reasons to spend your money on something more important then a bigger tank - but still the fish need it.

In Dutch we have a saying, don't sell the skin before you shot the bear.

[sidguppy]

several Doradids stay small

Doras punctatus for examnple (usually sold as opsodoras). this one reaches 4-5" and it's a fairly visible social fish.
wich means you should get a small group.

another one that's in the trade is Platydoras hancocki (usually sold as Amblydoras hancocki). this one behaves like Platydoras but more peaceful and less territorial. it grows to 5", larger specimen are very rare. it's completely harmless but also very shy.

2 other nice mediumsized Doradidae are Agamyxis and Acanthodoras wich stay at 5-6" or so adult size
these are hardy peaceful fish but very very spiny.
if you root around in the tank and by accident grab one, you'll get a learning experience

[AlaskanCorydoras]

You make the assumption I'm not going to move them to larger tanks when they outgrow their current one.

That is right. You wrote 'my tank', that is, singular

Still, many things can happen between now and say 2 years when you need a bigger tank - a lot of reasons to spend your money on something more important then a bigger tank - but still the fish need it.

In Dutch we have a saying, don't sell the skin before you shot the bear.

But, as an alaskan I'm quite well prepared for bear shooting.

Also, something to note is that my profile lists 5 tanks. . . a quick glance at that might keep you from putting your foot in your mouth. Or to put it in Alaskan terms "Duh"

Thanks for the species suggestions, but honestly doing the old tired "Your fish aren't in a big enough tank!" is unwelcome. Pointless lectures about "well in two years you might not. . ." Not only do I have a quite stable financial situation, I know several people with suitable tanks that would like adult plecos.

[MatsP]

Being an irrepressible pedant:

My aquaria list: 4

. So is it 4 or 5?

--
Mats

[AlaskanCorydoras]

Says 5 now. Must have taken a little while to update. As I mentioned elsewhere, the 2nd 55ga tank is new.

[zenyfish]

Doras punctatus for examnple (usually sold as opsodoras). this one reaches 4-5" and it's a fairly visible social fish.
wich means you should get a small group.

I've never seen these in these parts unfortunately, but if I ever come across them, I'll grab some ... thanks!