New catfish stay at top of tank....

[MrDrums]

O.K. - got my 3 new Debauwis in the tank....so far all they have done is ride the current at the top of the tank, near the spraybar. They have not, to my knowledge, explored the bottom at all. Do you think they just need time to settle in and settle down? Also, on one of them, his top fin looks torn away from the "spike".....probably from the netting, transfer.....I assume this will heal up, as on any other fish with a torn fin? I could never catch them if I tried, so the three amigos are in for the long haul here....and they are great, by the way, just what I was looking for. Was only going to get 2, but the LFS threw in a third. So far, they don't stray from each other at all. Added a keyhole cichlid today.

[TP]

The Debauwis live in mid water and never go down to the bottom, My shoal of 14 is always active, always in the upper half of the tank and will often just swim in the stream of water from the filter outlet. When fed they always take food from the surface or the top third, if it gets past them they never even chase it down to the bottom of the tank, so fed them something that sinks pretty slowly. They do like to be kept in numbers so if you can get anymore that would be a good thing and they really make a good sight as a large group as well. If your water is clean then the fin should heal pretty quickly.

[MrDrums]

Thanks for the information. I really like them...at the LFS they were all hanging out at the bottom of the tank....my research on them overloked the fact that they were not bottom feeders. However, they are unique and I really like them. Since they are mid-level swimmers, I just may get a few more. Thanks.

P.S. - thought I originally posted in "speak easy" - I don't think Debauwis are African....

[sidguppy]

The Debauwis live in mid water and never go down to the bottom

actually they DO lay torpid on the bottom when they're not happy, often in LFS they hang close to the walls or hover just over the sand or lay motionless on the substrate.

happens in a too brightly lit tank or when they're not in good health or in too small numbers (!)

the fact that they're just 3 and already cruising proves these are indeed healthy.
too often when the group is too small they just wiggle ounder an overhanging plantleaf or piece of wood.

yes, add more. you can keep 10 or 20 or so in a roomy tank

for this species tanklength, current and open water space are important, not floorspace or substrate

[Richard B]

P.S. - thought I originally posted in "speak easy" - I don't think Debauwis are African....

Indeed they are african!

[MrDrums]

I appreciate the excellent information! I really like them....glad I discovered them, and that my research into them was a little bit off! My tank is a 54 gallon corner tank...although it is roomy, it does not have the length of a standard 55, but I think I'll add maybe 3-4 more. They are fun to watch.

[Birger]

but I think I'll add maybe 3-4 more. They are fun to watch.

As previously pointed out, larger the group the better, 6 or 7 still would be minimal and then they can still be a little more reclusive than they would be in a larger group, make sure the size of the food you feed is suitable for these fish as well, smaller as opposed to larger, they do not compete well, but all that said I really like these fish and my group does very well housed with a group of

Synodontis nigriventris

Birger

[MrDrums]

Notice that about the food....I mostly feed flakes (Omega One), with froen blood worms or brine shrimp with spirulina, and the other fish are very quick. I can't exactly feed them seperately, so they have to compete somehow. Hopefully, they will get what they need. Any suggestions of food? Not that it matters much, as whatever I put in, other fish are just as quick to get at it.

[andywoolloo]

You're so lucky to have found those! I have been looking locally and never see them anywhere! Can we see pics?

[MrDrums]

I don't have any pics at the moment, but I will try to post some soon. As soon as I am sure my new keyhole cichlid has settled in and remains healthy, I will surely get a few more to add to the school.

[Birger]

Any suggestions of food?

Mine do very well on NLS pellets(1 mm sinking)and bloodworms
These fish once they become active are very quick themselves, but they must feel comfortable to show it.

Birger

[seds]

I may have a pic of one... lets see here... I had these guys a couple years ago:



I am a lucky one here: My brother asked for iridescent sharks back when we knew nothing about fish, I ended up with 2 "African Glass Catfish" I found out they were schoolers quite some time later, but the LFS stopped stocking them... by the time they got some (one) they had died of loneliness. They actually can die if they are kept in too small a group. The two I had hardly ever left the current generated by the filter.