Pictus cat behavior

Necronius · Post by **Necronius** » 06 Aug 2003, 04:38

I purchased a Pictus cat thismorning (Fist one I have owned) and shortly after I placed him in the tank, he swam over to the area of my aquarium under the filter return, and has been swimming vertically in the current ever since. Hes been doing this almost non stop for nearly 12 hours. I was just wondering if this is normal behavior, or if there is something wrong with my catfish. Any information is greatly appreciated.

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 06 Aug 2003, 05:57

what size is the tank and who is he in the tank with ..is he the only pictus

Necronius · Post by **Necronius** » 06 Aug 2003, 06:09

He's in a 40 gallon tank, and he is the only pictus. he is in the tank with a pleco and a few small angels. THere are no fish in the tank that even go near him, so I dont believe it is an issue with another fish. It is a new tank, so I thought maybe it was the water quality, but I tested it and the water is perfect. it is at about 76 degrees.

Post by **Silurus** » 06 Aug 2003, 10:19

Pictus cats prefer the company of their own kind, which may explain its behavior. I suggest that you get your pictus some company.

catfishcrazy · Post by **catfishcrazy** » 06 Aug 2003, 14:22

Pictus dont make the best tankmates for angels,angels get really freaked by nocturnaly active fish and especially those with long whiskers to touch them up with.

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 06 Aug 2003, 16:15

yeah-theres your problem.. he's lonly get him some friends and he'll be acting like he should

Necronius · Post by **Necronius** » 06 Aug 2003, 18:03

Thanks for the info folks. Im new to keeping an aquarium so some of the fish I am learning about as I go along. I had been researching fish and learning what I could about them before I bought them, but while at the fish store I saw how bright and lively these fish were I couldnt resist buying one. I'm going to get him a friend tomarrow.

Thanks again

aeroflight · Post by **aeroflight** » 06 Aug 2003, 18:17

I'm going to hijack this thread for a minute...

I've got 3 pictus in my tank. Each one of them has established its own little territory and has found a cave or ledge it likes to hang out under/around. They generally don't stray too far from their hangout even with the tank lights off. These pictus really don't interact with eachother (at least not during the day) with the exception of nipping any of the other pictus that happen to swim too close to their area in order to drive them off. Is this normal behavior? These are the first pictus I've kept (had them about 4 months) and after everything I've read and been told (as in this thread) I expected them to be alot more interactive. Dont' get me wrong, I love these fish; however, whenever I hear of how active these fish are I wonder if it's because they don't have sufficient (?) cover and such. Any thoughts?

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 06 Aug 2003, 21:01

Any thoughts?

Yes!

The magic number is more....

It's likewise with many other slightly territorial catfish (some Dorads, most Synodontis, Pseudomystus, Mystus -the smaller species!-, Brachyrhamdia etc) that nevertheless are social living fish.

If the numbers are too low, the social structure loosens and they are territorial (varying from moderate to extremely nasty, depending on species).
A famous example is the Brachyrhamdia's (Imitatorcatfish), that are nasty to each other UNLESS you keep 5 or more AND add the Corydoras species they live with, in numbers. If kept so, they're suddenly very peaceful.
Another widely known example is the legendary Synodontis angelicus, the Polkadot Cat. This one has a reputation of being nsty to each other, but few people bother to buy 8 or more (usually it's an expensive fish! and it gets fairly large) and keep them in a big tank.

Your problem can be solved by adding 2-4 other pictus-cats. Of course they should be about the same size.

Other fish that act exactly the same are some Barbs (Crossocheilus, Epalzeorhynchus), Knifefishes and Mormyrids and Characins like Anostomus and Leporinus.

Necronius · Post by **Necronius** » 07 Aug 2003, 04:25

I was going to buy another pictus tomarrow, but I dont think I will need to. The catfish I was having the problem with is becoming sluggish, and is now staying away from the current. when he goes into the current, its too much for him and he spins to the bottom. I dont think its going to live through the night. I still cant find a problem with the water, and he doesnt appear to have any infections or parasites. All the other fish in the tank are still healthy. I'm completely stumped.

Post by **Silurus** » 07 Aug 2003, 10:30

Did you quarantine the fish before introducing it into the tank? It might have already come in sick.