Thinking of a new catfish

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » 01 Nov 2006, 09:04

ok so far i have a nearly stocked tank and i just wanted to one more in. it has slowly become a south american catfish tank.

dimensions are:
L24 X H18 X W12

Specs:
well planted with dwarf hygrophelia and parrot feather.
1mm gravel substrate.
backing on back.
2 bettas (male & female) in jars tied to the side(lol)
large bogwood with anubus.
giant anubus.
heated to 25.5 degrees.
pH- relatively neutral.
Jebo 502 waterfall power filter.

And am currently stocked with:
3 Albino corydoras anaeus (1 small , the other two are large as i bought from a previous comunity tank; and so are used to being alone.)
1 Pictus(quite small but soo cute)
1 Bristlenose plec.(not purchased as of yet since my tank is not developped enough for her(i want a female) but quite definite on getting it.)
1 large..ish mystery apple snail(algea cleaner for now but will remain with BN)
1 UNKNOWN(prefferably active, around 5", loner)

Thanks will post pics soon

Nemesis

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » 02 Nov 2006, 06:14

anyone?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 02 Nov 2006, 09:54

I read your post, and didn't feel that I could answer - because I can't give someone else advice on what fish they should buy... It's a personal choice...

Your tank isn't particularly big - and more importantly, it's taller than it's wide, so the surface/floor area is fairly small.

You already have a few bottom-dwellers that occupy the floor-space.

My advice would be to get more of something you already have, the albino corys would be quite happy to have a few "mates" - maybe another three or so. At that point, I'd say the bottom of the tank is "full". Pictus cats and Ancistrus sp. require a fair amount of space...

Apart of that, I'd suggest you look at some mid-to-top layer fishes, such as tetras, barbs or danios of the smaller kind. A group of 10 neons would do well in your tank.

I'd also consider releasing the Bettas into the main tank - they'll certainly enjoy the freedom.

--
Mats

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » 03 Nov 2006, 03:15

Thanks for the advice i have released the female into the tank and gave th male his own tank. i think i will buy another pictus as they seemed to get along well when they were together.

any comments?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 03 Nov 2006, 10:05

In my opinion I think a two foot tank is a bit too small for pictus.

They are an active shoaling fish that need lots of space.

I would consider 5 pictus in a 36" X 15" X 15" a good rule of thumb as minimum.

I would take the pictus back and get more corydoras, as these are also fish that should be kept in groups of no fewer than five.

I hope is of some help

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 03 Nov 2006, 11:11

Whilst I agree that Pictus may be social, I wouldn't call the shoaling as such - they may look that way when they are kept in a group of 20 juveniles in a shop, but they are definitely not shoaling like corys or tetras in my tank - more loners that interact when they meet - maybe that's because my tank is bigger than the 36 x 15 x 15, and I "only" have 5 of them? However, the Cat-eLog says that they can be kept alone, and from what I've seen, that is correct. However, I wouldn't keep two - as they can be agressive towards each other, and if you only have two, all the agression will be between those two, rather than more spread out if you have more than two (preferrably 5 or so).

I don't see why you have to keep the male and female betta's apart - they are perfectly capable of living together, it's only other males that the male can not cope with (or if there is a successfull spawn, the male will probably chase the female away, but only if that happens).

--
Mats

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 03 Nov 2006, 11:35

I used to have one pictus many years ago, and he seemed to pine away on his own and was not very active.

When I bought four more they were considerably more active and seemed to look healthier.

I find many shoaling fish such as tetras or pencilfish don't tightly shoal in the aquarium until a "stressful" event such as a water change.

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:31

Hey MatsP,
Add neons to a Pictus tank? I admit they have high nutritional value but don't you think a somewhat larger species of Tetra would have a better chance?

Pictus are happy in groups but can get by as single specimens and you would not have to give it antidepressants, unless that is what the neons were for.
Maybe 4 good sized silver hatchets would be something you might like and would provide a more spatially balanced fish population.
You don't have a lot of space to keep a lot of fish as has been pointed out. Better to have fewer healthy fish than an overcrowded community prone to degredating water quality.
The pictus will grow fast and to a fair size.Don't be too surpuised if you find your betta's fins split. Pictus sometimes taste test enthusiastically.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:34

apistomaster wrote:Hey MatsP,
Add neons to a Pictus tank?

Doh! Good catch...

--
Mats

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:40

Mat,
That's ok. I kind of enjoy watching pictus eating neons as much fun as feeding goldfish to piranha.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 03 Nov 2006, 14:46

apistomaster wrote:Mat,
That's ok. I kind of enjoy watching pictus eating neons as much fun as feeding goldfish to piranha.

Yeah, but guppy or molly babies are less expensive and more expendable IMO - of course, here in England, selling live fish as food for other fish is illegal...

--
Mats

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 03 Nov 2006, 22:32

Now that is a law I did not know the UK had. It is a hard one for me to relate to. We have our share of doozies ourselves. Where I live was once the wild west. In the 1860's it was illegal to shoot a native American..but only inside of the city limits! Bizzare but true. They still let us buy and use feeder fish, though and it's still illegal to spit on the sidewalks.

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » 06 Nov 2006, 03:50

Thanks for all of your replies... i dont think i tis illegelto sell feeder fish here in aus?