Hi new, need advice with black collard cat.

[star4]

Hiya , I am hoping someone here might be able to help me figure out what has upset my Horabagrus nigricollaris. I have had him (say him but I have no idea of sex) 4 years now, as he has grown he has lost the distinctive black and white band around his neck. He is approx 8-9" now and in the last few weeks he has taken a dislike to the other fish (severums & true parrot) particularly the true parrot. Lights out is becoming a nightmare as he comes from his cave and chases the other fish nipping at their anal fins. All reports I can find on this fish state they are peaceful, but I have yet to find anyone else who has one to ask personal experience, hence coming here

Nothing has changed in the tank, his cave is up one end, he is fed large catfish pellet, prawns, krill, mysis and bloodworm (frozen and pellet).

My fear is I am going to have to sell him, I can re-house him temporarily in another tank on his own but not for long.

Any idea's or suggestion please.

Pics of him

[Viktor Jarikov]

Rare fish... in the US anyway. I've never seen one for sale. The close cousin, the ubiquitous sun cat is ok but I'd not describe as peaceful. It can get nasty to others. I can only guess it has grown up and thinks the whole tank is his territory. In large enough tanks, this is normally not a problem.

Might want to leave a night light on so your cichlids can at least get away from it. Catfish with their sensory barbels have a huge advantage in the dark over cichlids who rely on eye sight.

[star4]

Thank you for the reply Viktor. I know he is rare, even here in the UK I have never seen another one. He was a lot better last night, I swapped some things around in the tank. I will try a night light too see if that helps.

Thanks for your help

[Richard B]

I don't think they are particulalry rare in the UK.

Pier have had tanks full of small ones & one of the MA branches have too

Certainly they're far less frequently seen than Brachysoma

[star4]

I have ordered a light (not arrived yet) but he has stopped chasing the other fish now and all is calm again

[Viktor Jarikov]

I didn't mean necessarily a tank night light. E.g., a room night light near by the tank could have sufficed... or a simple table lamp with a low wattage CFL like 2W or 3W ones. Workshop aluminum lamps ($5 from say Home Depot) work well too and can be easily hung above / near a tank.

[star4]

It was only a cheap stick on underwater light I ordered , thankfully he/she has calmed down again, now I dont need the light