Well, my registration instructions told me to post here to introduce myself. Hi, y'all!
I'm new to catfish, having had goldfish for some years. In fact, I haven't any catfish yet. I do however have a fresh new 120 gallon tank earmarked for "non goldfish" and am gearing up to realize a long-time dream of adding a plecostomus. I think it is Hypostomus plecostomus -- I haven't gotten one yet, but I've been reading labels in the local fish store.
I'll be using hang-on-the-back filters (2 Marineland Emperor 400s) and a bare-bottomed tank. I will be getting some driftwood and sawing up some pvc pipe. And I'm open to other suggestions for making the tank fish-friendly.
Now, the Pleco is a given. With 120 gallons there will be room for a few other fish, I think. So I'd love to hear (read) about all your favorite pleco-compatible catfishes and, if permitted on a catfish forum, Other Fish as well...
Elizabeth
Newbie greeting
-
michelle56
- Posts: 189
- Joined: 12 Oct 2003, 03:44
- Location 1: Oklahoma
- Interests: Loricariiadae because it has Plecostomus, Blue-Eyed Panaque, Twiggies, Ottos,Whiptails,Pretty Peckoltias
- Contact:
Hello!
Nice to meet ya'!
Cheers!,
HMH
Nice to meet ya'!
Cheers!,
HMH
I've tried to kill the pain,but only brought more(so much more) I lay dying, and I'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal I'm dying,praying,bleeding,and screaming...Am I too lost to be saved? Am I too lost? My God my Tourniquet return to Salvation, My God my Tourniquet return to me Salvation.
-
chupapiedras
- Posts: 55
- Joined: 04 Feb 2004, 02:15
- Location 1: Puerto Rico
- Interests: FISH, allways fish!
try a dwarf sail fin or gold nugget 
-
Elspeth
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 01 Mar 2004, 19:47
- My cats species list: 2 (i:0, k:0)
- Location 1: Kansas City, Missouri
Chupapiedras, I was thinking a common plec; I think it's Hypostomus plecostomus. The couple-inch ones teeming in the lfs tanks and too often sold to naifs who don't actually want the very large fish they grow into. Do they need current? I hadn't really noticed that in my research.
Although the more I browse the loricariid (sp?) pages here, the more plecs I see that I like! The lfs has a couple of "striped raphael catfish" which if I've done my research correctly are probably utterly miserable in the bare store tank under bright light. I wonder if the hubby would accept having a fish that we never see during the day? On the other hand, he might never know if I don't tell him they're there!
But the common plec is the one I've admired for years, literally, and have been looking forward to finally having. Now that I'm reading up on catfishes in general, I realize this isn't as distinctive as I once thought, but -- those guys look like they crawled up out of the Age of Dinosaurs!
Cory, the tank is 120 U.S. gallons; only 18" wide, but 5' long and 2' deep. I thought this would be big enough for a common plec; the lfs that keeps 450 gallon display tanks says their "been here forever" plecos haven't grown more than 18" in that large environment, and they (and internet sources) say that since the common plecs are slow movers, generally, they'll be happy in a long tank. What do you think, given these measurements? I like big fish, or rather I really really like little fish that will slowly grow to behemoths (I'm so proud of them when they grow up!), so fish-keeper shock at the size they grow into is not the issue; just whether the fish will be happy with this environment.
Though I must admit, bristlenoses are really, really cute.
I've also been reading up on wood in the tank talk forums. Would sun-dried elm branches cut 3 years ago be a Good Thing?
And should I move this to Tank Talk or is this okay here?
Although the more I browse the loricariid (sp?) pages here, the more plecs I see that I like! The lfs has a couple of "striped raphael catfish" which if I've done my research correctly are probably utterly miserable in the bare store tank under bright light. I wonder if the hubby would accept having a fish that we never see during the day? On the other hand, he might never know if I don't tell him they're there!
But the common plec is the one I've admired for years, literally, and have been looking forward to finally having. Now that I'm reading up on catfishes in general, I realize this isn't as distinctive as I once thought, but -- those guys look like they crawled up out of the Age of Dinosaurs!
Cory, the tank is 120 U.S. gallons; only 18" wide, but 5' long and 2' deep. I thought this would be big enough for a common plec; the lfs that keeps 450 gallon display tanks says their "been here forever" plecos haven't grown more than 18" in that large environment, and they (and internet sources) say that since the common plecs are slow movers, generally, they'll be happy in a long tank. What do you think, given these measurements? I like big fish, or rather I really really like little fish that will slowly grow to behemoths (I'm so proud of them when they grow up!), so fish-keeper shock at the size they grow into is not the issue; just whether the fish will be happy with this environment.
Though I must admit, bristlenoses are really, really cute.
I've also been reading up on wood in the tank talk forums. Would sun-dried elm branches cut 3 years ago be a Good Thing?
And should I move this to Tank Talk or is this okay here?
-
chupapiedras
- Posts: 55
- Joined: 04 Feb 2004, 02:15
- Location 1: Puerto Rico
- Interests: FISH, allways fish!
If we are talking about commons, then I should tell you that I've seen dozens of plecos 24" and over(even in really small tanks), still you might get away with it in a 120. For what is worth, I think you will enjoy in a setup something like:
1- common pleco
2-Severums
3-Platydoras costatus(Striped Raphaels)
and a bunch of tetras like Serpaes/ Buenos Aires or Black widows,. Perhaps 5 Silver dollars
In my opinion something like this is going to ptrovide you with something for every one. Keep in mind that this are just options feel free to try what you like. BTW, I like to keep things at least within the same continent. And yes, the raphaels are rarely seen! But, this gives you the option to say they where always there
Eduardo
1- common pleco
2-Severums
3-Platydoras costatus(Striped Raphaels)
and a bunch of tetras like Serpaes/ Buenos Aires or Black widows,. Perhaps 5 Silver dollars
In my opinion something like this is going to ptrovide you with something for every one. Keep in mind that this are just options feel free to try what you like. BTW, I like to keep things at least within the same continent. And yes, the raphaels are rarely seen! But, this gives you the option to say they where always there
Eduardo
As long as you are alive you can obtain happiness!
-
Elspeth
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 01 Mar 2004, 19:47
- My cats species list: 2 (i:0, k:0)
- Location 1: Kansas City, Missouri
Eduardo, thanks for the suggestions! Two or three raphaels are definitely on the list. I showed some in the lfs to dear hubby, and he seems to think they look pretty cute. Of course I'll have to deal with "where did they go?"
I've spent some time hand-taming goldfish and koi, so I really think I will like teaching these daytime recluses to come out and be seen in exchange for some good eats.
I'm not sure why, but I just don't like ciclids. Maybe it's because I've kept goldfish for so long -- perhaps the knee-jerk reaction part of my mind has them labelled as "goldie murderers" even though I will not have goldfish in this tank. Hubby is looking for some color, though, and is of the opinion that angelfish are a must in the tropical tank. (Even though I think they are technically a sort of ciclid...) Knowing nothing about angels, I'm due for some serious reading-up.
I haven't been too concerned about geographical origin. My thinking is that unless I want to really specialize and keep only fish that would actually encounter one another in their native habitat, I should be all right just choosing for compatibility in temperature, pH, and general behavior. I'll want to think about this, though -- is this really well reasoned, or am I just justifying "get the fish I want"?
How about Weather Loaches (spotted and golden dojos, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)? It seems they do well in a wide temperature range, although they are temperate-climate fish.
And what do you think of glass catfish or glass fish? Looks like Parailia pellucida would be better for my estimated pH (so far, neutral at 7.0 looks like a good target) but Kryptopterus minor is what I think is available locally.
Regarding local availablity, I thought my plec would be H. plecostomus because that's what they're labelled as. I'm seeing a lot of variation in colors and patterns though and I'm beginning to doubt that the fish stores I've checked -- particularly PetsMart and PetCo! -- actually have any idea what they've got. Someday soon I will go on a photo expedition with my digital camera and post to "what is this catfish", most likely causing great amusement as the more experienced aquarists will recognize them all as dead common and easy to ID species! I have been staring at the Cat-elog pictures, but so far I have only been able to determine that yes, I am seeing more species than the stores think I am.
I shouldn't be so surprised, since I've seen goldfish varieties mislabelled, but at least they got the species name right (since goldfish are all one species). And the occasional fingerling koi sold as a sarassa or shubunkin, but at that age it is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. But in the tropicals, whoa. I am loosing whatever faith I had in the fish stores' ID. So in cases of doubt, I may be posting other pics to make sure I'm getting what I think I'm getting!
I've spent some time hand-taming goldfish and koi, so I really think I will like teaching these daytime recluses to come out and be seen in exchange for some good eats.
I'm not sure why, but I just don't like ciclids. Maybe it's because I've kept goldfish for so long -- perhaps the knee-jerk reaction part of my mind has them labelled as "goldie murderers" even though I will not have goldfish in this tank. Hubby is looking for some color, though, and is of the opinion that angelfish are a must in the tropical tank. (Even though I think they are technically a sort of ciclid...) Knowing nothing about angels, I'm due for some serious reading-up.
I haven't been too concerned about geographical origin. My thinking is that unless I want to really specialize and keep only fish that would actually encounter one another in their native habitat, I should be all right just choosing for compatibility in temperature, pH, and general behavior. I'll want to think about this, though -- is this really well reasoned, or am I just justifying "get the fish I want"?
How about Weather Loaches (spotted and golden dojos, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)? It seems they do well in a wide temperature range, although they are temperate-climate fish.
And what do you think of glass catfish or glass fish? Looks like Parailia pellucida would be better for my estimated pH (so far, neutral at 7.0 looks like a good target) but Kryptopterus minor is what I think is available locally.
Regarding local availablity, I thought my plec would be H. plecostomus because that's what they're labelled as. I'm seeing a lot of variation in colors and patterns though and I'm beginning to doubt that the fish stores I've checked -- particularly PetsMart and PetCo! -- actually have any idea what they've got. Someday soon I will go on a photo expedition with my digital camera and post to "what is this catfish", most likely causing great amusement as the more experienced aquarists will recognize them all as dead common and easy to ID species! I have been staring at the Cat-elog pictures, but so far I have only been able to determine that yes, I am seeing more species than the stores think I am.
I shouldn't be so surprised, since I've seen goldfish varieties mislabelled, but at least they got the species name right (since goldfish are all one species). And the occasional fingerling koi sold as a sarassa or shubunkin, but at that age it is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. But in the tropicals, whoa. I am loosing whatever faith I had in the fish stores' ID. So in cases of doubt, I may be posting other pics to make sure I'm getting what I think I'm getting!
-
chupapiedras
- Posts: 55
- Joined: 04 Feb 2004, 02:15
- Location 1: Puerto Rico
- Interests: FISH, allways fish!
REASERCH is the right thing to do.
Agels are definetly a cichlid, although more manageable and somewhat peacefull. Unfortunately I can't comment much outside CA and SA and the only loach I have cared for are clowns. But seing your husband likes angels and is looking for color then I can help.
Angels-there are different species and various color variations. They are peacefull except when breeding but won't give you to much trouble
Since I don't know on what YOU will decide, I'll just tell you what I would do(keeping in mind that you have to please someone else)
Angels-3 or 4 look out for pairs
tetras-5-15 depending on species. select species that the raphaels won't be able to swallow
Pleco
Insted of the loaches, can I INTREST YOU IN OTHER PLECOS THA REMAIN SMALL like
Panaque maccus, hypancistrus,peckoltia or maybe 1 l-200 (my favorite)
or perhaps a bunch of cories.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Eduardo
PS: be carefull with big chain pet stores the usually look to make a dollar and as a result their fish are not the most healthy ones
Agels are definetly a cichlid, although more manageable and somewhat peacefull. Unfortunately I can't comment much outside CA and SA and the only loach I have cared for are clowns. But seing your husband likes angels and is looking for color then I can help.
Angels-there are different species and various color variations. They are peacefull except when breeding but won't give you to much trouble
Since I don't know on what YOU will decide, I'll just tell you what I would do(keeping in mind that you have to please someone else)
Angels-3 or 4 look out for pairs
tetras-5-15 depending on species. select species that the raphaels won't be able to swallow
Pleco
Insted of the loaches, can I INTREST YOU IN OTHER PLECOS THA REMAIN SMALL like
Panaque maccus, hypancistrus,peckoltia or maybe 1 l-200 (my favorite)
or perhaps a bunch of cories.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Eduardo
PS: be carefull with big chain pet stores the usually look to make a dollar and as a result their fish are not the most healthy ones
As long as you are alive you can obtain happiness!