Decorating for Clarias?

[fafler]

I have a 420 liter (110 gal) aquarium with 2 Clarias and 3 Gibbiceps. Whats the best way to decorate it? Right now the only things in the tank are 2 mm sand and a bunch of roots. Caves? Less/more roots? I don't want plants, because i know they will dig them up, and theres only LED lighting in the tank. 2 of the Gibbiceps will be moved as soon as i find somewhere to put them, but i'll keep one to keep the glass clean.

[Richard B]

You might consider anubias plants to grow on the wood - tough & needing low light levels.

Given the size of tank the decor is fine but you could add a couple of pipes if you wanted to give somewhat more seclusion if you felt the fish needed it(?)

[fafler]

I have Anubias is my other tanks, so i guess i could move some of the over. I grow them on small roots and pieces of lava, but i don't think the lava would be good for the Clarias, as they dig alot. Haven't ever tried them under low light LED's.

Adding some pipes os not a bad idea. Maybe i can find some of those clay pipes used for draining water in fields (in denmark, atleast), and hide them under the roots. I'm generally against putting things in my tanks that don't naturally occur in nature.

[Richard B]

I'm generally against putting things in my tanks that don't naturally occur in nature.

Why not "create" a hollow log? - it'll be "natural" - take a foot long log, cut in half, hollow out & the fix two halves back together...

[fafler]

That's a really good idea. I might have my Panaque have a go at it first, to make it look more natural. Beech and oak are usually good for theese kind of things.

[fafler]

These guys are so amazing. Feeding them nightcrawlers is much better than TV. Can't wait till they will take them from my hands, but right now they are too shy.

[jprp]

if you can live with the "unnatural" ,i would suggest binding some large artificial plants to the roots with cable ties (cut off the exess tie length to prevent injury).
these will provide some extra shade without taking up much volume and can be blasted with a hose when dirty.
dont expect any large "plecs" to clean your front glass efficiently.

[apistomaster]

I once had a few Albino Clarias in sizes from 14 to 18 inches.
They do like to do their own "decorating" so using industrial grade structures like heavy pieces of wood and large rocks worked best for me. There wasn't anything I could do about their digging and moving the substrate.
Clarias are pretty intimidating aquarium subjects. Glad they don't have a piranha's dentition or the bio-electric capabilities of Electric Catfish or Electric Eels.

[lisalinley]

Yes its good man i really like .tell me where form u got it.