Lonley Hoplosternum thoracatum

[Cory_lover]

Hey all~

i transfered my 8cm hoplo thoracatum into my 20gal..other inhabitants are one juvenile bristlenose, and 1 suckerbelly loach (PSeudogasteromyzon myersi).

its really inactive now, i mean it still feeds, but it doesn't seem to be cruising the tank. Is this normal behaviour? Btw, this specimen is a male. So should i get one omre juvenile hoplo at my lfs..or juzz trade in this one and get another new juvenile???

[Caol_ila]

Hi!
I guess youre talking Megalechis personata...

I had a lonely one for quite a long time its now 12 cm. Late last year i got 2x 4 cm juvs that i added and the big one ignored them for a while but now they cruise the tank in a cory like shoal fashion absolutely great how they interact. They have grown very fast.

I would buy a couple more if you have the chance, depending on your tank sizes. 20 is a bit small i guess...

[Cory_lover]

oh ok, i wouldn't mind getting more, but i'm afraid the big one i have now would harass or even kill the new one.

[Caol_ila]

Hi!

I added my 2 small ones to the double sized one and in the beginning he didnt even care about them now as theyre bigger hes cruising around with them. I wouldnt worry. Just my experience though

[Cory_lover]

ooh...guess i should get one more then..thanks

[Pectorale]

Try to make it a couple if you do decide to buy a companion. Two males can get quite territorial, two females would probably get along nicely though.

Pectorale

[Cory_lover]

hm, ok then. But the problem is that when i buy them at my lfs, they're usually juveniles, and i can't tell whether their male or female. Will buy 2 then. Thanks

[Caol_ila]

Sometimes a few new fish make a good reason to set a new tank. ;)
Good luck with your new fish.

[CoolTcat]

If I had mains power there would be no stopping me.
I had a biggish male Hoplo first, then got a half size which turned out to be female. He bossed her around a bit at first but then all settled down and they became firm friends.
Jan