Looking for Catfish to go with Roseline Sharks

[Darryl]

Hellow everyone! I am brand new to the site, but far from new to the hobby of fishkeeping. I'm a member of the Greater Cincinnati Aquarium Society (GCAS). In fact, I am also the clubs membership chairman.

I recently set up a tank dedicate to my Roseline Sharks and was hoping to add a small catfish or two to the tank. Preferrably something that stays under 6 inches. I figured this would be the place to find out what's out there from the same area the Roselines are endemic to in India: Chaliar, Kallada, Chalakkudipuzha, Aralam wildlife sanctuary, Mundakayam, the Kallar river and Travancore hill ranges.

If anyone could direct me to some options, photos and sources for purchase, that would be great.

I'm looking forward to reading through all the forums and getting to know some of you better. Thanks!

[racoll]

Hi Darryl. Welcome to the site. Sounds like a nice tank you have planned.

Some of the South Indian

Mystus

species such as

Mystus malabaricus

would work well I think.

If you can't find these, which is likely, you could substitute for a more available North Indian or Thai species such as

Mystus carcio

or

Mystus mysticetus

.

[Shovelnose]

I think

Mystus carcio

will be out competed for food by P.denisonii. Plus these are too timid.

Most of the

Mystus

from pensinsular India available in the trade (vittatus,malabaricus,canarensis etc) should do well. I don't know which other south Indian species make it to the trade. If you are not biotope specific,

Mystus bleekeri

will also fit in.

[Darryl]

Thanks guys. I'll do some more reasearch on those. Now, I just need to find out where I can get them...locally if possible.

[sojapat]

Hi Look at Batasio,Glyptothorax,Amblyceps,Gagatta,Horned garra are nice and will eat algae too.

[Darryl]

Thanks sojapat...will do.

[retro_gk]

Hi Darryl,
Are you looking for catfish in particular, or just something to fill out the lower levels of the tank? If the latter, I'd recommend loaches rather than catfish. Something like Mesonemacheilus triangularis or M. guentheri, which share the same habitat in the wild, or one of the Indian Botia. All are regularly available in the trade.

The Mystus from the region might cause your barbs to accumulate air miles at night They are also not very commonly available. Mystus that will get to about 6" are a risk, IMO. If you are not fixed on fish from the same region, M. carcio and M. vittatus will make good tankmates. Batasio spp. will not be able to compete for food, unless you're willing to target feed around dusk.

Glyptothorax are not found in the same habitat as P. denisonii, AFAIK.