Hoplo

[windgirl]

Hi guys ... I have Hoplo questions ... And well in my search for info I find people posted alot of hoplo questions here (I guess its along the lines of a cory hmmm).

I saw a pic of one in a fish ... it had a bluish looking belly and some orange coloring. I love it. I noticed it isn't a picky fish and can live in cooler water. I also noticed it doesn't get big. I'm refering the cat-a-log info.

I have read a little about this fish being aggressive?? Are they? I was thinking I could get one for my 30G ... Right now I have my four common goldies (all under 4 inchs long) and a common pl*co about 4-5 inchs long. Do you think a single Hoplo would do ok in this tank and be at peace with its mates? Or is this fish just trouble to put in the 30G.

Or would he fit better in the 20G with 4 male guppies, a bushynose and 2 gouramis? Also thinking about adding a single red-tail shark to the 20G?

Thanks if you have any suggestions,
Beck.

[CatBrat]

Hi Windgirl,

I brought 2 Port Hoplos about two and a half years ago. At the time they were about 6 or 7cm (mayby a bit less) and they have now grown to around 15cm on a diet of flake, sinking tablets, bloodworms, mosqutio larvae and shrimps. My ones have never been agressive toward any other fish in my tanks. And even at the size they are now they still live with small tetras (Neons and Cardinals). They are always out to feed from the serface and they even feed from my hands when I give them bloodworms. They are one of my favorite fish and I highly recomend them.
I would think it would go fine in your 30g tank with out any problems.

Cheers, CatBrat.

[bigward]

Hoplo's are class catfish I have 6 females (should be getting a male soon) and I have never had any problems with any of them. They can be a bit boistrous when it comes to feeding time but that it all part of their characters.............

[windgirl]

Ok if I were to try a young Hoplo with the 30G ... right now I've got 4 goldies and a common pl*co in there ... I care very much about those 5 fish. If you are saying these Hoplps are not aggressive toward tank mates, I think I'll concider them. I will need to add a hiding spot tho The tank is very open except for a shady spot for my pl*co.

The big question now is will one do? or do I need to get at least 2 or something? I already feel this tank is quite full ... it looks empty, My big plan is I want to get a Larger tank and move Shark to warmer temperaters ... I plan to keep the goldfish in the 30G forever if they don't out grow it, In keeping up with my cat collection I've been looking for a cold water cat ... and the Hoplo jumped out. I would prefer no more then 2 since the will be living with shark for a while still.

Also if there are different kinds of Hoplo's Which ones have that blue look to them?

Thanks,
Beck.

[CoolTcat]

From what I can gather the Port Hoplo (now a Megalechis?) is the one that takes the lowest temperatures, at least of the ones we cxan get here. I have had one living with my Black Moor Snowy for a year now and he is a lovely fish who quickly learnt to take food from my fingers. They live with White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Schuberts Barbs and Bitterlings.
If you want to keep them at lower temps make sure they are a fair size(my male was about10cm and fat when he went into his first winter here) and buy them in late spring or summer so they can go into the cold season gradually. Very sadly, when I finally found a Mrs Hoplo it was autumn ish and she was smaller (say6.5cm) and died overnight after we had an unexpected really cold early winter night and hadn't organised wood for the heater.
Go for two if you can as they really liked to interact and Mr Hoplo even had a go at a bubblenest, although Mrs was too young to get involved.Though the larger male bossed the female a little at first he has never bothered the other fish apart from occasionally barging into them.
Great fish.
Jan