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Hi guys!

I was given four of these Feather Fin catfish, the biggest is just under 2" and the smallest is just under an 1". Well, since I'm learning as I go, I realized that it mentions that they can eat sinking pellets, so I got some shrimp pellets and now I realize that I don't know how much I should feed, or how often I should feed them. It seems most people feed them twice a day; however, every time I've had live-bearer fry in my tanks, I end up feeding them 3-4 times/day. I don't know if it's the same for catfish or not.

Currently they are in my 15 gallon tank, but I am in the process of obtaining a 55 gallon tank (it was on my list to do anyway, this just speeds it up). As it looks right now, I will be getting it around Christmas, then I have to set it up, cycle it, etc. I will be likely be buying some Tetra SafeStart to speed the process up as much as possible, but there is only so much that can be done. So I was wondering how if anyone has an idea of how fast they grow, even a rough estimate would help. From what I've read, I'm guessing around 1"/2 months? I'm also wondering how hardy they are, if they are anything like the pictus, I will have to wait til it's fully cycled before putting them in there. If anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

I have two other fish with them, one Dwarf Blue Gourami (being donated to my school tank once I get the details worked out since they will reach the size of eating him, so he doesn't matter) and a Rainbow Shark. It's quite interesting, my shark seems to hate all fish, but is perfectly content to share his stump with the cats. Any suggestions on what all I should put in my 55 gallon tank to keep the cats and shark happy? I'm guessing driftwood, caves and plants? Would they be fine with a gravel substrate (that's what I have now, it's smooth) or should I plan on getting sand? I've got complete freedom on this tank as this will be the first one of this size I've had, so almost none of my current supplies will work for it.

Thanks! and if there is anything else you can think of that I may need to know, please don't hesitate to inform me.

~Sasdrum

Feed lightly in such a small tank.

Regarding the 55G your hopefully getting you could add some of the bio media from the 15G (assuming that's a fully cycled tank) to the 55G filter or add some of the 15G bio media in some fine netting directly in the 55g tank. This would drastically speed up the cycling process

As for substrate, many think sand is the way to go but most of my tanks have a fine gravel top layer and all the fish I have seem perfectly happy with it.

tomr wrote:Feed lightly in such a small tank.

Lightly as in a couple pellets/day? The only catfish I've had previously were some Corys and they just ate what fell to the bottom of my tank. Thank you!

redfan wrote:Regarding the 55G your hopefully getting you could add some of the bio media from the 15G (assuming that's a fully cycled tank) to the 55G filter or add some of the 15G bio media in some fine netting directly in the 55g tank. This would drastically speed up the cycling process

As for substrate, many think sand is the way to go but most of my tanks have a fine gravel top layer and all the fish I have seem perfectly happy with it.

And yes, my 15 gallon is fully cycled has constant stats, etc. It works well for the fish and the plants...today at least. I can a pull a couple gallons out each week to help acclimate the 55 gallons, I've used a similar method when I need a quarantine tank, fast. (little 3 gallon plastic tub works well). As for substrate, either way, I will have to buy it. I have no where near enough to manage a tank that size, especially not a planted tank. I'll probably go with the sand just to be safe. Thanks!

S: I was given four of these Feather Fin catfish, the biggest is just under 2" and the smallest is just under an 1". Well, since I'm learning as I go, I realized that it mentions that they can eat sinking pellets,
VJ: they are very unfussy eaters, generally.

S: ...so I got some shrimp pellets and now I realize that I don't know how much I should feed, or how often I should feed them. It seems most people feed them twice a day; however, every time I've had live-bearer fry in my tanks, I end up feeding them 3-4 times/day. I don't know if it's the same for catfish or not.
VJ: Estimate their tummy size and watch their tummies - if they bulge after eating, they should be good for 1-2 days. It cannot be overstated that underfeeding is a million times better then overfeeding that usually pollutes your water and kills the fish. Watch that no food is left over after feedings.

S: Currently they are in my 15 gallon tank, but I am in the process of obtaining a 55 gallon tank (it was on my list to do anyway, this just speeds it up). As it looks right now, I will be getting it around Christmas, then I have to set it up, cycle it, etc. I will be likely be buying some Tetra SafeStart to speed the process up as much as possible, but there is only so much that can be done.
VJ: do not rush that process. Seeding is a great idea but it will still take 3-5 weeks. Do not forget to feed your growing bacteria colonies with ammonia or put in feeder-guppies/-goldfish for that.

S: ...So I was wondering how if anyone has an idea of how fast they grow, even a rough estimate would help. From what I've read, I'm guessing around 1"/2 months?
VJ: perhaps in the beginning. Mine six (5"-8" TL) grew slowly - more like 1" a year.

S: I'm also wondering how hardy they are, if they are anything like the pictus, I will have to wait til it's fully cycled before putting them in there. If anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
VJ: I think they are quite hardy, stronger than pictus but this is not a reason to test the "cycleness" of your tank. Many would even object to doing it with the above-suggested feeders.

S: I have two other fish with them, one Dwarf Blue Gourami (being donated to my school tank once I get the details worked out since they will reach the size of eating him, so he doesn't matter) and a Rainbow Shark. It's quite interesting, my shark seems to hate all fish, but is perfectly content to share his stump with the cats. Any suggestions on what all I should put in my 55 gallon tank to keep the cats and shark happy?
VJ: mine 7 sharks and ~20-30 various synos never paid attention to each other. Please, do not use this one data point (even plus yours) to draw general conclusions. Also, things change as fish grow.

S: I'm guessing driftwood, caves and plants? Would they be fine with a gravel substrate (that's what I have now, it's smooth) or should I plan on getting sand? I've got complete freedom on this tank as this will be the first one of this size I've had, so almost none of my current supplies will work for it.
VJ: mine have been fine with small semi-sharp gravel as well as a mix of 1" and 2" smooth landscaping gravel. If you wanna see them, keep the light dim and skip the firniture. Not everyone would agree on this with me.

S: Thanks! and if there is anything else you can think of that I may need to know, please don't hesitate to inform me.
VJ: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =8&t=34409
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =8&t=30928
...go to African Catfishes and look for Synodontis eupterus or euptera in the title or do a search... that is after you studied the Cat-eLog entry and places like FishBase etc.

If you'd like to save some money go get landscaping stone, e.g., pea gravel, usually at $16 for a half a cubic yard at big garden shops, or get it in a 40 lb bag, at $5 a bag. Just wash it well from dirt and dust.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: ...so I got some shrimp pellets and now I realize that I don't know how much I should feed, or how often I should feed them. It seems most people feed them twice a day; however, every time I've had live-bearer fry in my tanks, I end up feeding them 3-4 times/day. I don't know if it's the same for catfish or not.
VJ: watch their tummies - if they bulge after eating, they should be good for 1-2 days. It cannot be overstated that underfeeding is a million times better then overfeeding that usually pollutes your water and kills the fish. Watch that no food is left over after feedings.

I shall watch for that.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: Currently they are in my 15 gallon tank, but I am in the process of obtaining a 55 gallon tank (it was on my list to do anyway, this just speeds it up). As it looks right now, I will be getting it around Christmas, then I have to set it up, cycle it, etc. I will be likely be buying some Tetra SafeStart to speed the process up as much as possible, but there is only so much that can be done.
VJ: do not rush that process. Seeding is a great idea but it will still take 3-5 weeks. Do not forget to feed your growing bacteria colonies with ammonia or put in feeder-guppies/-goldfish for that.

I'm actually in a the process of testing the best way to colonize the nitrifying bacteria with some 1 gallon tanks. Going to be making some cultures next week. I will not be rushing be this, I made that mistake once about four years ago and will never do it again. Decomposing food should work as well if I remember correctly. I don't really want to end up with any fish I don't want.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: ...So I was wondering how if anyone has an idea of how fast they grow, even a rough estimate would help. From what I've read, I'm guessing around 1"/2 months?
VJ: perhaps in the beginning. Mine six (5"-8" TL) grew slowly - more like 1" a year.

Sounds like they should be fine in my 15 gallon til March...give or take.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: I'm also wondering how hardy they are, if they are anything like the pictus, I will have to wait til it's fully cycled before putting them in there. If anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
VJ: I think they are quite hardy, stronger than pictus but this is not a reason to test the "cycleness" of your tank. Many would even object to doing it with the above-suggested feeders.

I have ever intention of not testing the "cycleness" with them, I simply ask so that should my tank be on say it's last week of cycling and serious O2 problems are taking place in my 15 gallon, I can weigh my options according.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: I have two other fish with them, one Dwarf Blue Gourami (being donated to my school tank once I get the details worked out since they will reach the size of eating him, so he doesn't matter) and a Rainbow Shark. It's quite interesting, my shark seems to hate all fish, but is perfectly content to share his stump with the cats. Any suggestions on what all I should put in my 55 gallon tank to keep the cats and shark happy?
VJ: mine 7 sharks and ~20-30 various synos never paid attention to each other. Please, do not use this one data point (even plus yours) to draw general conclusions. Also, things change as fish grow.

I'm more or less referring to items to place in the tank and a set up of it, I'm not planning to add anymore fish to the 55 gallon tank at this point. I prefer to stay a bit under the max stocking capacity.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: I'm guessing driftwood, caves and plants? Would they be fine with a gravel substrate (that's what I have now, it's smooth) or should I plan on getting sand? I've got complete freedom on this tank as this will be the first one of this size I've had, so almost none of my current supplies will work for it.
VJ: mine have been fine with small semi-sharp gravel as well as a mix of 1" and 2" smooth landscaping gravel. If you wanna see them, keep the light dim and skip the furniture. Not everyone would agree on this with me.

Cool. I will keep that in mind.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:S: Thanks! and if there is anything else you can think of that I may need to know, please don't hesitate to inform me.
VJ: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =8&t=34409
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =8&t=30928
...go to African Catfishes and look for Synodontis eupterus or euptera in the title or do a search...that is after you studied the Cat-eLog entry and places like FishBase etc.

I've been covering this site as much as I can, but have never heard of FishBase. I will look that up.

Viktor Jarikov wrote:If you'd like to save some money go get landscaping stone, e.g., pea gravel, usually at $16 for a half a cubic yard at big garden shops, or get it in a 40 lb bag, at $5 a bag. Just wash it well from dirt and dust.

I'll see what shows up in terms of my Christmas list, and if I don't get any substrate, then I shall be highly considering that.

Thanks for all the info!

put half a yard of pea gravel stone on your Christmas list - that will make it unforgettable for all your relatives forever...

(joking; that is about 25 5-gallon buckets, around 1000-1500 lbs; for a 55 gal tank, you will need just one bucket)