Hostile "Ebony" Catfish Addition?

[kejieshen]

Hello -- Pardon the spelling here, but I believe I currently have a rather large (10-12 in) Pimlodidae Leiarius that has been rather skiddish and hides in bright light... which is fine. From what I understand, that is apart of the nature of the species. At any rate, I bought a new addition for my tank today from the same geographic region (well, supposedly) entitled an "Ebony Cat." It has a more slendor nose, slightly like a shovelnose but not nearly as dramatic. He/she is a bit smaller (7-8 in), jet black except for a white streak on the top and bottom of his tail fin. Unlike my leiarius, he does not have a spiny high dorsal fin.

Anyhow, from the moment I introduced him to the tank, he's been hostile towards the Leiarius... chasing him all about, causing a ruckus. In the process, my Leiarius is getting upset, slightly chaffing himself on driftwood, and I want to know what the deal is as I'm getting a bit peeved. Is there something about this species I wasn't told. My Leiarius has been perfectly behaved with my Arowana and columbian sharks I had in the past. What's with this new one?

And... any idea on the actual species? I will take a picture tomorrow. Thinking about taking him back tomorrow, actually. I love my Leiarius (although this new guy is beautiful) and don't want to risk losing him.[/b]

[Silurus]

Hemibagrus wyckii

?

It would explain a lot if it is.

[kejieshen]

Hello... yes, indeed! This is my fish. I've already inserted a large plexy divider to separate the two cats from one another as I tired of "baby-sitting" them. That'll teach me to do my own homework instead of trusting a local specialty store.

Now my question is what to do with them. Despite the rather obnoxious behavior, I like the tenacity of this new fish. He's a nice contrast to my very shy leiarius. I just need to keep him (dubbed "Coal") by himself. I feel a new tank is in order, lol.

Thanks again

Jason n San Francisco

[Shane]

Now my question is what to do with them.

All large Hemibagrus spp are very nasty tankmates. Large pims are usually ok with anything they can not swallow, but a large Hemibagrus will just start biting tankmayes that are too large to eat.
That said, they make great "pet" catfish as they do not get unreasonably large. If you really like the animal get it its own tank and enjoy it as a pet.
-Shane

[kejieshen]

Hello again -- I'm continuing the story on this crystal eyed cat dubbed "coal." I've gone ahead and given him/her its own tank, but I've kind of become bored with the one fish in a large 180 tank. So... was wondering if I could add another of the same species (just one) as my local store has yet another in stock. I am guessing I'm going to get a reply like, "Unless it's mating season, these guys don't get along unless separated by large distances," but I hope not as two together would really add something to the tank.

And... if that is not possible, what do you think about trying to get two or three very small ones (2") and raising them together so that they are accustomed to each other and won't kill one another off? Just a thought...

PS -- this booger, Coal, is very intelligent. He's moved every weighted plant in the tank around (sometimes the same one... if I re-place it in the tank), moved a stump, and is a bulldozer with the various sized smooth rocks in the tank (re-arranges) by taking in a good stomach full and spewing them elsewhere in the tank. It was slightly disturbing at first to hear the noise. Now I just roll my eyes with amusement. A couple of times I've gone in with my hand to move things back around and he'll "attack" me which while somewhat startling the first time, is rather funny now as it doesn't hurt. He just darts at my fingers and "gums" them, lol.

[Shane]

You could certainly give two a try, but I strongly doubt that it would work. I know an aquarist that added one Hemibagrus to a huge tank (10,000 plus gallons) and it immediately started killing everything else, to include a couple of 3 foot long channel cats.
Unfortunately, it is the solo life for these guys. The only possibility for a tankmate would be something larger and very heavily armored like an Acanthicus type pleco... and I certainly would not promise that the pleco would not simply be bothered under it died of stress.
-Shane

[Jojoyojimbi]

dang these things sound nasty...