Topic: cat fish tank

[mrbigfish]

Anybody ever had an all catfish tank. I have a 40gal that I was thinking of doing catfish in. Any ideas besides corys?

[jones57742]

mrbigfish:

Omnivorous Plecos which are small when grown.

TR


BTW: the problem which I perceive in "all catfish" is that catfish are basically "bottom scroungers".

I have had some luck with wood caves and holes for pleco hiding places to mid-depth but not above and they still scrounge the bottom for food.

[mrbigfish]

hey Jones, why couldn't you feed a variety of pellets and wafers. I've seenn about 5 types.

[Ezekial]

You could find a way to feed them, I don't think that will be a problem.  I've heard of people have an all pleco tank though you'd have to be careful in which ones you mix.  I'm not that up on catfish but I think the problem you'd have is space.  Since they will all likely want to inhabit the substrate level only you're going to run into problems.  Also most want a hiding place and unless you supply you tank with a ton (therby limiting what you will see) you'll  have them fighting over the prime spots. 


Having more plecos may work as they will take any hiding place so they can be higher in the tank on a piece of driftwood or something.

[jones57742]

hey Jones, why couldn't you feed a variety of pellets and wafers. I've seenn about 5 types.

mrbigfish:

I probably have these 5 types and still feed many other foods.

The problem here is aggression and/or the fishies just feeling safe.

I know that 4 adult Gold Nuggets, 4 adult Queens (both of which are Plecos) and 6 adult sterbai corys will cohabit fairly peacefully in a 110G 30" deep tank (Please note that other community fish were also present in the tank).


I observed the following:

One

1) During lighted periods the corys were virtually always hustling the bottom for groceries or playing but

2) If they were not then;
a) I was overfeeding or
b) I had water quality and/or water temperature problems.


Two

The GN's hustled the bottom about half during lighted periods and half the dark periods but they could only be seen doing this approximately 5% of the time*.


Three

The QA's hustled the bottom about 10% during lighted periods and the remainder during dark periods but they could only be seen doing this less than 1% of the time*.


*The half and 10% are the percent of their feedings.
The 5% and less than 1% are the amounts of time when they are out of their caves and holes
They are very cute!!
Many times they will "eyeball" a scrap of food, dart out of their hiding place, retrieve the scrap and the dart back into their hiding place.

TR

[Gerry]

Plecs can be quite territorial too, I have 4 leopard pekoltia in a 4 foot by 2 foot tank(floor space) with around 7 caves and a load of driftwood and I still have two fight over 1 cave in the middle  .
Also remember you have a lot of empty space above them to look at

[mrbigfish]

Thanks all, gonna get the stand this w/e and get the tank cycling. Will let you know what I decide.

[altaaffe]

As an afterthought, I have Hoplo catfish. Plenty of character & swim about at various levels.  Mine have bog wood that they like to sit on & tall plants that they sit in.

[mrbigfish]

Thanks Al, sounds like a nice addition.

[jones57742]

As an afterthought, I have Hoplo catfish. Plenty of character & swim about at various levels.  Mine have bog wood that they like to sit on & tall plants that they sit in.

altaaffe:

Those are the very nicest small barbled catfish I have seen!

Unfortunately I Googled unmercifully and could not find a vendor.

If I happen to find a vendor are these fish loners and if not how many others do they enjoy?

TR

[Gerry]

Ron, remember that Alt is in Scotland.
Alt are you not near Lossiemouth, if so they have a great aquatic shop, small but great choice and helpful owner named Derek

[altaaffe]

The more the merrier, they enjoy each others company.

Gerry, yes - Derek is my LFS.  As said small, but very good stock, well maintained and he'll get in just about anything you ask for.

Not a good pic but here are the hoplos (4 inches)

[Dan]

Nice Catfish tank Alt.





Hey Bigfish,

They sell them here in Philly as "Porthole Cats".. very peaceful, but good Catfish.

[jones57742]

Nice Catfish tank Alt.

Hey Bigfish,
They sell them here in Philly as "Porthole Cats".. very peaceful, but good Catfish.

Alt:  Yes it is.

Googled for this also with no joy but hopefully this fall I will be able to make a road trip to San Antonio or Austin.
If they have them in Philly then hopefully in these towns also.

TR

[Dan]

Ron,


     In all honesty though,  they only seem to come in every so often.  I see them but not alot, so they can be very hard to come by.  They can sometimes be listed as a "Flagtail Catfish" also.