can i keep talking catfish in this tank?(details in thread)

[DJ-don]

hey guys
i was doing some searchs to extend my range of catfish further out from loricads and corys
and i was wondering if i could keep talking catfish (i think it is the

Platydoras armatulus

in this tank:
juwel 180 vicenza with:
2xL002
3xPeppermint bristlenose (or known as either L071/181)
3xFoerschi whiptails (LG6)

if so how many can i get?
if i cant, is it because the tank is too or because of the inhabitants?
if so what inhabitants should be removed?
thanks in advance

[grokefish]

To be honest in my opinion this tank is too small for this doradid species.
They would live just fine in there but pretty soon you will see them or the evidence of them swimming backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards because their heads are screwed.

I think in their natural habitat these fish swim long distances in search of food and mates and get very bored in tanks of this size.
It would be like living in your living room for your whole life without leaving ever.
I have only ever seen any doradids acting in anyway "naturally" in a 6.5 long by 3ft wide tank, I think this is the minimum size for these fish to have a fair existence in captivity.

You may be better off with

agamyxis pectinifrons

which don't seem to be as bothered as the "Humbug" cats about space to swim

[Richard B]

whilst i might not fully agree with Grokefish (& i may be wrong), i do think the minimum tanksize needs to be a lot bigger, probably at least 4x2x2 & i do think agamyxis would be a much better choice as P Armatulus can get quite big

[DJ-don]

ok thanks just found out the agamyxis pectinifrons is more cheaper
how many could i put in?

[Richard B]

provided there are suitable hidey-holes (preferably boodwood) you could go for three but you're probably at the limit on bottom-dwelling fish with them.

[DJ-don]

thanks richard will try to find some!!

[DJ-don]

forgot to ask will they do well with the fish told in the above post???

[Richard B]

there shouldn't be any concerns with the fish you've mentioned

[arcsb]

Amblydoras nauticus

is another very peaceful and smaller Doradid you could consider adding to your tank.