I'm new!

[michelle7]

Hello everyone! I have a couple of questions of you all... I currently have one 9" lima shovelnose catfish in a 30 gallon tank. I just purchased a second shovelnose (same breed) who is approx. 5" long. Could the two go together or is the newest one too small? I also have 2 pictus catfish in the tank... would this be overcrowding?

Questions, questions... what pH would be best for the two breeds? The pH that comes out of my tap is closer to 8.0. The tank is fully equiped with live plants and a lot of driftwood. Is it true that driftwood helps to make the water more soft?

Thanks to everyone if you could help me out!

Michelle

[Silurus]

Could the two go together or is the newest one too small?

They should be fine together

I also have 2 pictus catfish in the tank... would this be overcrowding?

Eventually, it would be a little crowded, considering the lima shovelnoses will reach 12".

what pH would be best for the two breeds?

Somewhere between 6 and 7 is best.

Is it true that driftwood helps to make the water more soft?

Some organic acids may leach out of the driftwood, but in itself, the wood is not going to make the water softer.