Which Auchenipterids are being kept by PC members?

[Marc van Arc]

Unlike last year this year everything fishwise went well during our holiday - a relief for both my neighbours and myself.
But there also is a similarity with last year. When I got home then, I was greeted with mails that Ageneiosus marmoratus was available in the Netherlands. That didn't work out because they were too large (one of them is still available.......).
This year I was told things were even "worse": Tetranematichthys and Otorongo woodcats .
Now I know I wrote in the CotM on Tetranematichthys that I would certainly have a go at them again, yet my current stock doesn't allow larger predators - despite the fact that they are just 5-6 cms. So that's a no (or a big question mark??) as I'm afraid they will have a go at my smaller Ageneiosus sooner or (probably) later.
I will certainly have a go at the Otorongos and if all goes well (availability) I'll be able to greet an absolute new woodcat species (to me, that is) in my tank.
I'm also thinking of adding Gymnorhampichthys rondoni, of which I know almost nothing. There's a topic in Speak Easy, so if you have any info please fill me in.

[The.Dark.One]

This year I was told things were even "worse": Tetranematichthys and Otorongo woodcats .

This made me smile Marc

[Jools]

This year I was told things were even "worse": Tetranematichthys and Otorongo woodcats .

You should have a look at the new Pier shop page for woodcats:

http://pieraquatics.com/shop/category.php?id_category=8

Jools

[Marc van Arc]

That's indeed quite an abundance.
Yet I'm very pleased with the 2 species I mentioned, although Tetranematichthys is still a big question mark. I shouldn't do it actually, but their small size makes me doubt.
Maybe they'll be sold by next Thursday

[wrasse]

greedy otorongos...
and growing fast.

[The.Dark.One]

By eck they are coming on fast! They're almost as fat as their owner!

[Marc van Arc]

Now I know I wrote in the CotM on Tetranematichthys that I would certainly have a go at them again, yet my current stock doesn't allow larger predators - despite the fact that they are just 5-6 cms. So that's a no (or a big question mark??) as I'm afraid they will have a go at my smaller Ageneiosus sooner or (probably) later.

Steve - or anyone else - what do you think of the above? Go or no go?
As my previous trio were adults, I have no idea how fast (or slow) their growth rate is. If slow growers, I take it the A. cf atronasus will be growing to their max size as well in that time, which will make them to big to become a prey. But this is all speculating and wishful thinking of course.....
Also: anyone keeping Tetranematichthys in good shape without feeding live fish?

[The.Dark.One]

I'm quite an impulsive person so I think I would go for it. I can't see them growing so quickly as to prey on the other cats. I'm not even sure they would anyway?

[wrasse]

Richard
I thought it was almost impossible due for it to be Tetranematichthys quadrifilis due to it's area of collection being never collected from? When I had one, I thought it was T. quadrifilis, but decided, based on this reason, that it must have been Tetranematichthys wallacei.
Really interesting fish to keep though, what is yours kept with?
Martin

Hi Martin,
I'm sure you're right with them being T Wallacei, I had not looked at the collection data.
They are a lovely fish, I've had them since March last year. I had a pair but lost the female a while back. The male is still going strong. They will feed in the daytime if you present them the food by hand, but otherwise they are very nocturnal.
At the moment he lives with a jaguar cat and a scobiancistrus.
- Richard

[kruseman]

Steve - or anyone else - what do you think of the above? Go or no go?

Although I'm unfamiliar with keeping Tetranematichthys and therefore not the most reliable source I think you should give it a go.
You've said it's your alltime favourite catfish, and now they're on a Dutch stocklist!
When will that happen again?

[Marc van Arc]

Yes, I guess you're both right.
Wrt preying on other (wood-)cats: A. magoi certainly does, so that's still a point of concern. On the other hand, if they sort of grow up together I think these smaller Ageneiosus should be able to avoid/evade Tetranematichthys. And they will become larger of course.
When they have the size of adult A. coracoideus they'll be safe for sure, for that was the smallest species with my adult trio T. wallacei.

[Phyllonemus]

Is it possible that Tetranematichthys quadrifilis getting used to "Dead Food" ?

[Marc van Arc]

That is what I was wondering about also.
I stated that my former adult trio absolutely needed live fishes, but if I'm going for the juveniles now on offer in the Netherlands, I will certainly try to adapt them to frozen food - or maybe even flakes.
To my utter surprise the smaller Ageneiosids take those foods without any problem.

[Phyllonemus]

There was a anouncement that Tetranematichthys quadrifilus are going to arrive at Utaka, The Netherlands.
I've informed about there size. They are 6/7 cm.
Maybe at that size it is possible to get them used to dead food.

[Marc van Arc]

If all goes well, they should arrive here in Eindhoven at my LFS next Thursday. That saves me some petrol (apparently made of gold these days??) as well. Moreover, I promised myself not to visit Utaka as long as the Ageneiosus marmoratus would be there - how could I know then that the poor thing has been sitting there for more than a year now?
To anyone reading this: if you're interested, go and "free" that fish. You'll make yourself, the fish and very likely Utaka very happy.
The Tetranematichthys will be accompanied by some otorongos. Due to the fact that I've never kept the latter before and the nice video in this thread, I regard these as huge assets.
Looking forward to it!

[Phyllonemus]

Indeed Marc, that marmoratus is sitting there a long time.
The same for the

Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus

there are sitting ther for a long time also.

Maybe I'm going to rescue the taeniatus, when they aren'nt sold next month.

[Marc van Arc]

If all goes well

Afaics now, that is not going to be case wrt Tetranematichthys. Will be continued.

[Bijn]

If all goes well

Afaics now, that is not going to be case wrt Tetranematichthys. Will be continued.

I know a nice shop in Belgium who will have them ;)

[Marc van Arc]

Afaics now, that is not going to be case wrt Tetranematichthys. Will be continued.

They disappeared from the stocklist yesterday, but for some reason (my LFS' order??) 2 specimens miraculously re-appeared on that list this morning.... We'll see.

[Marc van Arc]

I know a nice shop in Belgium who will have them ;)

I'll comment to that tomorrow afternoon/evening

[kruseman]

An elusive catfish it is.

[Marc van Arc]

Maybe I'm going to rescue the taeniatus, when they aren't sold next month.

Do so, you'll get yourself a very nice and visible species. And of course I can't look into your wallet, but why wait another month?

[Phyllonemus]

Marc, they are all three females.
Is it easy to expand the group, I mean not availability but maybe issues between the "old" and "new"taenatus" ?

I realy find a group of three to small for these beautifull fish.

Marc, are they that vissible then ?
At the LFS that I visit two times a month or so, I never see them, alo The people from the LFS almost neve see them.


Could the taenatius caus a risk for clutches eggs from the Tatia intermedia ?

[Marc van Arc]

1 they are all three females.
2 Is it easy to expand the group, I mean not availability but maybe issues between the "old" and "new" taeniatus" ?
3 I realy find a group of three to small for these beautifull fish.
4 are they that visible then? At the LFS I never see them, alo the people from the LFS almost never see them.
5 Could the taenatius caus a risk for clutches eggs from the Tatia intermedia ?

1 + 2 + 3: better 3 females than none at all. You can always expand the group later, that is no problem at all. I currently have 5 specimens (4F/1M, so sorry, I can't spare you a male....) and they are doing great. Beautiful swimmers. Given the fact that they've been there for so long, maybe the LFS could lower the price if you buy all three? Always worth a try asking.
4: that's probably because none of you is there after lights out . Seriously, give them some time to adapt and stay out of the tank for a while and I guarantee you that you'll see them. But auchenipterid-wise, so don't expect them to swim in broad daylight.
5: probably not the eggs, but juvies are not safe - which goes for almost every other fish, even the parents.

[Phyllonemus]

Marc thanks for the advice.
I had already in mind to talk about a discount.

I don't expect them to swim in broad daylight, When the main tubelight is going out a few seconds before there is a (dimmable)led strip (red) on for 3 hours, after that a blue moon light until the main tube is on again.

So there is a dusk period in the evening.

[Marc van Arc]

I just picked up my new fishes at the LFS and to my regret - and at the same time relief as well - Tetranematichthys were not included in the shipment.
So it's not "The Return of the Avatar" and afaic I'll leave it at that. No hasty travels to pick some up; things are fine as they currently are. Contrary to what I thought at the time of writing the CotM on Tetranematichthys, life goes one, even without them. And I think I'll do my current stock a favour by not introducing them. Finally for myself it's a good thing, because I can stop worrying. The last week has been one of doubts, questions, too little sleep amd brown studies. And that is not where holidays are meant for imo.

I'm very pleased, however, with the new Spinipterus sp Otorongo. They are already in the large tank. Although still rather small, I think the only species they should avoid atm are the Trachelyopterus sp. 3. Let's hope they do and I also hope they will grow as fast as the specimens from other members on PC (Wrasse, Martin S, Steve, Jools). This is indeed a brilliant species!

[Martin S]

They are indeed Marc - so much so have three more arriving tomorrow (wanted to get a few more whilst still available as you never know when/if they will be available again). How many did you get?
Although mine are nowhere near as active as Richard's (wrasse), which he thinks could be attributed to using RO water, and I suspect his home-made food (which I'm about to make a load and try myself) has some bearing, when they do feed, they gorge themselves to looking like barrels!
I'm going to try and get some photos tomorrow when my three arrive...
Martin

[wrasse]

Hope all goes well with those Martin.
I have to say, of all the woodcats I have kept, these otorongos are the most responsive fish. They are not particularly light-shy and so far they eat any food I offer.
My four have grown remarkably in a short space of time, but they are still difficult to sex... I think I might need glasses!

[Marc van Arc]

I have to say, of all the woodcats I have kept, these otorongos are the most responsive fish. They are not particularly light-shy and so far they eat any food I offer.

Richard, did they behave like that from the start? I can't see any of mine, not even when offering bloodworms.
Mine are however the smallest species in the tank and have only been in it for 3 days now. So maybe I'm too impatient; after all we're talking auchenipterids here

My four have grown remarkably in a short space of time, but they are still difficult to sex... I think I might need glasses!

They may present us with the same difficulties as Spinipterus acsi: I've had 12 of those, which all(!) seemed to be males once full grown. My ototrongo specimens can't be sexed due to their size, but I do hope they will grow a bit like yours. That'll certainly make me sleep better.

[kruseman]

Mine are pretty reclusive as well.

The ones in the quarantainetank swin about when lights go out and feed on bloodworms but not in broad daylight ( yet ? )