I need a Catfish for my new pond....

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » 06 Oct 2005, 17:10

Essential information:

Length 15'
Width 7'
Depth 3'

Gallons 2100

Temp 76-80 (Varies throughout the Pond, I'm hoping some new powerheads will remedy this)

pH 7.8

Present Stock: Channel Catfish 2.5'

Near future Stock: 6 Arowana (4 silver, 1 Red, 1 Crossback), 4 Motoro Rays, 2 Saucer rays, 40 Silver Barbs, 4 Widebar Dats.

Far Future Stock Catfish: That's for you to Decide!

Filtration: Cycles 5000 Gallons an hour through 12 diferent overflows situated around the pond edge. The filtration features 6 FSB's, 4 Big Blue Water Butts containing all sorts of wet dry media. More than enough to handle this almost overstocked tank.

So, pick a catfish, post a link to the E-log for it, and I'll tell you what I choose. I have no preference for any type of Catfish, it's complately up to you but, it HAS to be compatible with ALL the current tankmates. Also, the Channel cat is going to be moved into a publice aquarium when my Aro's have grown out.

-dunc

Post by **Silurus** » 06 Oct 2005, 17:17

I gather from the temperature range that this is an indoor pond?

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » 06 Oct 2005, 19:30

Yes, indoor and heated.

-dunc

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 07 Oct 2005, 10:49

An adult Red Tail or TigerShovelnose would be too disruptive, but the Perrunichthys or Laeiarus with their marbled pattern would fit in just nice!

Or one of the Brachyplatystoma's perhaps? there's this stunning beautiful stripey beast wich used to have another name......

clare · Post by **clare** » 08 Oct 2005, 18:59

It would have to be an Oxydoras Niger, at 3ft they are the most gebtle creatures ever to find and sift through the bottom cleaning up nicely. Very lovely markings along their sides. That would be my choice anyway.
Clare

Post by **medaka** » 09 Oct 2005, 00:22

I have to agree with Clare, I looked after two 2footers and I used to hand feed them,8); not only do these have character they are gentle to boot

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 09 Oct 2005, 12:25

I wouldn't add a niger; not only does it reach the size (and mass!) of a baby dolphin, but it's very much busy all day sifting through and ploughing in the bottom.....he's got a herd of stingrays in there....

I would go for a predatory cat wich is more "inactive", save feedingtime, and doesn't bother with the surface, that is already thoroughly sieved by the rays.

If a Dorad's the choice, go for Megalodoras; slighly smaller and much less 'digger' than the niger, as a pro; this fish eats snails and other hardshelled prey, wich should already be included in the ray's diet.

clare · Post by **clare** » 09 Oct 2005, 15:39

Nigers only reach around 3ft, and they are not active all day. We have 2 of them and they are adorable, they lay on the bottom during the day, and at night sift through the sand looking for food keeping the sand all turned to avoid food getting caught under it and rotting.

With Arowanas and Silver Barbs I definately wouldn`t chose a predatory cat. Other shell eating cats would compete with the rays too much.

Our Nigers don`t cause a probelm sifting through the sand and we don`t find that they move it leaving bare patches.
It`s all down to personal choice I guess but that`s our experience with them.
Clare

mitch · Post by **mitch** » 04 Dec 2005, 14:49

Have you chosen yet? I have seen some vulture cats (http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/pi ... /336_F.PHP ) latley and i think they would look very good swimming underneath arowana's.