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Hey Folks, just received a free 20 long from a friend and am looking to set it up as a South American River Biotope with a focus on catfishes. I am planning on using a sand substrate with river stones from a local trout stream and local driftwood, probably a few low light plants as well. I would like to be well oxygenated simulating a stream or river, I will achieve this by using an Aquaclear 50 and I will also be buying a powerhead (need to do more research on this).

As for stocking this tank, I am looking to fill it with catfish which would take a liking to this habitat. I know I would like some plecos, possibly with the intent of breeding. Perhaps a pair of Clown Plecos, or another pair of small ancistrus or hypancistrus species. I also would like a small shoal of cories, I am undecided on species but would prefer something other than pgymy cories, but that would stay small enough to have 4-6 of them in this 20 long. Other fish I have considered and see at my lfs store are ottos, oil catfish, and south american bumblebee catfish, would these work out well? I am considering any other cool cats that would work for my biotope. I like odd shaped or colored cats that are not typical, but not insanely rare either. Oh I also plan on having a small school of some tetras for top level action.

Thanks for the help Catfish folks!

A 20 gallon tank is not a huge aquarium but you can still keep a lot of catfish despite the size. I would recommend keeping it simple and select a Corydoras species or related. Be sure to buy at least 6 of whichever species you select. From there, a Otocinclus spp., a Peckoltia spp. or an Ancistrus spp. would work best out of the Loricariids.

All the best!

Jeremy

5-6 Otocinclus, 5-6 dwarf Corydoras, and a school of 5-6 small tetras.
A mix of Otocinclus, Corydoras habrosus, and silver hatchets would make a nice biotope. Decorate with driftwood and oak leaves over sand.
-Shane

i like Shane's suggestion. I would aim for 6 oto, 6 corydoras and 12 neon tetras (of a species: black, green, regular neon, etc.)

I like Corydoras habrosus for that tank as well, 6-10 of them. As others have said, otos don't take up too much space or bioload.

Oil cats would do fine in there as well, though I think Corys + otos + oil cats + ancistrus + tetras would really be pushing it so you'll have to make some decisions on which fish attract you the most.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I am going to start this tank with 6 Corydoras habrosus, 2 Panaqolus maccus and 1 Centromochlus perugiae. I will let this run for a few months and if it seems like everything is running smoothly and things don't seem overstocked, I will considering adding 6 black neon tetras. My lfs has one Centromochlus perugiae and I am really attached, it seems like an amazing fish. Is it okay for it to be solitary and could anyone comment on its behavior and diet?

The perugiae are really adorable fish! Like most woodcats, they're nocturnal and tend to hide a lot. I don't think they're very picky, people usually feed them frozen food like bloodworms. There's a good article on shane's world about them

Oilcats, from my experience, are social fish and like to be in groups. Can the one be fine alone for a bit, yes, but i would recommend adding others when available.

I wouldn't recommend clown plecos in that tank. Most woodeaters (panaque panaquolus) have a heavy bioload and the sawdust in teh tank might not be nice on the eyes.

IMO, you could make it a just Cat tank with corys, otos and oil cats. If you plant it, the otos will be in all levels of hte tank on the leaves.

just my $0.22

I would not be opposed to the oil cats as a group, just have never seen one before at any local stores and it is $15 here. So it may be a bit before I could get a group, would 3 suffice?

As for the pleco, do you have a species that are not outrageously expensive that you would recommend? I would adjust the stocklist based off of a pleco as a centerpiece. I have seen some L270 for sale around, they stay small, any other ideas?

2-3 spotted pimelodella would also be a good choice. They are not too small, active, beautiful, and very cheap and common. Tthey can get about 4-5 inches and are great eaters.