Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

fishmerised · Post by **fishmerised** » 29 Apr 2015, 02:11

I had to dismantle a tank and move a bristlenose pleco into a 25gallon with a pictus catfish that had previously had the tank to himself. Prior to having it's own tank the pictus shared with cichlids and didn't bother them. His behaviour in shared tanks and his own tank was to basically hide during the daytime and at night he would hide if you came near the tank. It's only been 12 hours but the pictus came out of his log at night and since then has been very bold (not hiding when I came near, not even now it's daylight). I wonder if he's stalking the bristlenose? The pictus is 10cm and the bristlenose if half that size. The bristlenose doesn't seem too bothered. Is it just be curiousity on behalf of the pictus or do you think he is territorial or intending on eating the bristlenose. I'm very familiar with bristlenose, I've kept them for years and bred them but this is my first pictus and I don't understand their behaviour very well.

fishmerised · Post by **fishmerised** » 01 May 2015, 03:00

Well, they are both still alive and happy 48 hours later. The pictus is still out and about instead of hiding all day. Maybe the pictus just likes another catfish for company.

fishmerised · Post by **fishmerised** » 05 May 2015, 06:21

Looks like they have become best buddies. They are resting side by side now. Cool.

jodilynn · Post by **jodilynn** » 06 May 2015, 15:40

It is my understanding that Pictus are a strongly schooling species that needs to have a sizeable school in order to be healthy and happy. Maybe you could get him a few Pictus friends? Eventually you would be in need of a larger tank though.

A lone pictus will be very shy and stressed, as evident by your observation of it hiding and darting away when you approach the tank. When kept in a school they are very active and lively even during the day. I think you would enjoy seeing such striking sight as these beautiful silver cats scooting around your tank!

Good luck!

fishmerised · Post by **fishmerised** » 10 May 2015, 01:26

Thanks jodilynn. It seems I'm a goose because it's not even a pictus, lol. It has been identified as a synodontis. In the video you can see a bit of the bristlenose as well but they aren't particularly happy as I had to tank out all the tank ornaments in order to get a video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y4R8UR ... e=youtu.be

Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

Re: Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

Re: Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

Re: Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate

Re: Pictus acting suspicious around new pleco tank mate