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Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 21 Jun 2012, 01:21
by indiCa
I'm starting a catfish tank and so far my smallest will reach 4inches and my largest is gonna be 6inches. I was wondering with a 4inch cat what is the biggest cat I should put with him so they don't get eaten?

My last cat tank was 1 blue channel cat with a big eel.. I'm trying to get smaller cats so I can have more of a variety in this tank.

Tank is 75g

Is there anything else I should consider other then just size while picking out fish for my tank?

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 21 Jun 2012, 01:26
by indiCa

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 21 Jun 2012, 02:30
by racoll
I would stick to a smaller selection of species, but greater numbers of each. For example, the pictus and glass catfish will prefer more of their own kind.

A logical addition to your catfish tank, however, would be a small/medium sized pleco such as a sp.

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 21 Jun 2012, 03:41
by indiCa
Thanks for the response. I was gonna buy at least 1 more of the glass and the pictus since I read somewhere the other night they like friends of there own kind. Then that go me thinking should I start getting all of my cats in pairs of two? That fish you posted looks really cool and will be added to my list of fish I want. I do got 2 other fish in the tank that are not cats (not sure how thats gonna work out =/) they are.
1x Rainbow Shark (Labeo erthururus)
1x Gold Alagae Eater (Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri)

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 21 Jun 2012, 04:40
by racoll
I do got 2 other fish in the tank that are not cats (not sure how thats gonna work out =/) they are.
1x Rainbow Shark (Labeo erthururus)
1x Gold Alagae Eater (Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri)
I'd get rid of both of these immediately. They're notorious thugs, and are likely to bully or out-compete the catfish when they mature.
Then that go me thinking should I start getting all of my cats in pairs of two?
Well, the Microglanis and the banjo cats will not care, but the pictus and the glass cats should be kept in groups of six as a minimum, but twelve of each would be better.

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 22 Jun 2012, 04:14
by indiCa
Ok Thank you racoll. I have heard the Gold Alagae Eater (Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri) tends to be very aggressive as they age but this is the first I have heard about the rainbow shark. Thanks for bringing the to my attention.

The pet stores dont tell you nothing when buying fish [-(

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 22 Jun 2012, 08:15
by Richard B
Most freshwater sharks present problems:

Rainbow, RTB & harlequin can be bullies, occasionally being vicious
Silver, black get too large
Iridescent get huge and are easily startled

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 23 Jun 2012, 06:08
by Scleropages
Richard B wrote:Iridescent get huge and are easily startled
They also are great fileted and pan-fried with olive oil, garlic, and pepper.

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 23 Jun 2012, 18:05
by 2wheelsx2
Scleropages wrote:
Richard B wrote:Iridescent get huge and are easily startled
They also are great fileted and pan-fried with olive oil, garlic, and pepper.
Basa fillets. Quite delicious. Although after seeing how they are caught, not sure I like them as much anymore. Like eating sewage.

Re: Catfish size compatibility?

Posted: 23 Jun 2012, 19:11
by Scleropages
They sell them as swai in the local supermarkets here. Imported from Vietnam. The method of capture helps with the flavor. :YMDAYDREAM: