Are Megalechis thoracata and Dianema urostriatum compatible?

[characinfan]

Hi there!

I have two

Megalechis thoracata

and am thinking of getting some

Dianema urostriatum

.

1. Will the males fight each other? (One of my M. thoracata is definitely male).

2. Is 3 a good number of D. urostriatum, or do they do better in larger groups? My tank is 48 gallons and I don't think I could accommodate more than three new fish without an upgrade.

Thanks!

[Bas Pels]

Dianema are rather shy. I had mine combined with a Hoplosternum littorale - which are far more active than Megalechtis - but this combination was not successfull. So any problem with this combination will be smaller than what I had.

However, these species are more or less similar, which makes the combination - I think you would better take 1 more Megalichthys instead of 3 - only three, they like to be among themselves - Dianema.

[characinfan]

I think you would better take 1 more Megalichthys instead of 3 - only three, they like to be among themselves - Dianema.

Sorry, could you say that again in different words? I'm a little confused.
(I have only 2 Megalechis).

Thanks!

[Bas Pels]

You intend to get 3 Dianema. My advise is not to get Dianema, but Megalechtis instead.