Advice On Getting A Catfish

[Zikofski]

okay we have a 54" x 20" and 19" tall tank our current stocking is 4 angels and 2 torpedo barbs and will be getting more torpedo barbs to bring the number up to around 6 or 8 now i like to get a catfish looked at plecos but i don't know something about them dose not suit me, i was recommended Pictus Carfish and to get 3 of them our water temp is 24c are they compatible with this tank temp and my stocking? i was told they only grow to 4.5" long is this true? or is there a better catfish looking similar to the pictus that you could recommend me?

 

[minnnt]

If you buy young specimens then yes. Ensure your Denisonii Barbs are bigger than them when you get them though. They're an active species at night and this is when they tend to hunt. They tend to snack on fish like Neon Tetra's so ensure you don't keep them with these.

Any reason you are opposed to Plecs? There is some smashing species out there.

Seeing as you are going with Limpopo, have you considered Corydoras? Sterbai, Panda or Gold Laser would look amazing! You could stock a group of 12-15 easily imo.

 

[Zikofski]

no i haven't yet i shall look into those,

plecs i don't know the sucky ness onto a tank i don't know they looked to wired in the shops could get them can they live in groups or singles and il have a look at cory's you saying 12 - 15 would be okay in my saze tank?

EDIT - i love the look of the gold laser cory i presume it other names are orange laser and gold stripe? if the pictures i have been looking at look the same

i would love 15 of them if they fit in my tank hehe as long as they gd with angels and torpedo

 

[minnnt]

Cories occupy a different level of the tank so will be very happy. I would say 15 is do-able, your tank is 4 and a half foot mate, should be fine. If you are worried though you could go for 12. Obviously you wouldn't be able to add them all at once unless you have a very mature filter. Maybe 6 at a time? Also... they are expensive, so would cost you a fair bit.

Plecs... How about some Bristlenoses such as a Super Red or Starlight? Or maybe a Rubbernose/Bulldog Plec. You could also look into Rusty Plecs, very prettyful indeed!!

 

[Zikofski]

okay kl ye i think il get 12 be safe with those and get 6 at a time

now can you mix cory species like, 6 orange laser and 6 Sterbai?

il look into plecs my gf likes them maybe i will grow to like them

EDIT we like the starlight plec would keeping one be okay or they best in groups?

 

[minnnt]

Starlights are great. They are basically bristlenoses with white spots. They will be fine on their own, and do a good job of keeping your tank clean.

Two groups of 6 cories will be fine. ? sterbais are a great choice. They will be a little cheaper than the lasers too. I think you can get green lasers too.

 

[Zikofski]

sow a shed load of BN plecs in the store yesterday one full grown and millions of baby ones like 2 to 3mm long sooo cute shame my angels and other stuff will probably eat the baby ones but yes will look at trying to find a plec if its BN or starlight,

also saw the sterbais, they looked in bad shape in the store shame i couldn't get some but ye looks amazing can't wait to get the tank setup and start stocking more no lasers tho i have to dig around for them is there like a place to buy fish online if they exist?

 

[minnnt]

Try tropical fish finder mate, they list most fish.

I have seen Gold Lasers for sale in a lot of places, some wanted £15 each and others wanted £10. Never seen the Greens though. Sterbai's are usually readily available and can range from £5-£9 in my area.

 

[tribalbrit]

Nice shoal of Hoplo's 6 or 7. great fish, wont harm anything and always moving.. Best cat fish ever IMO.

 

[Zikofski]

aaw wow they do look nice, can i add them to my current stocking i want to get i.e. have 4 angels, 8 torpedo barb, 12 cory 1 plec and 6 hoplo's?

 

[tribalbrit]

Don't see why not.




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The darker one is a Hoplo.

 

[moochy13]

hopolos are awesome. not aggressive, but a bit bumbling and oblivious to cories in my experience, no damage done though. love to have a bigger tank and get some more. mine grew very quickly aswell.

mine are both fish from the same batch in the shop. i brought one, then about 2 weeks later went back and brought another one. this was a couple of days after i put the second one in. thats how quickly it grew.

 

[tribalbrit]

I love them hoplo's.. I have 13 of em, just cant resist em. + my daughter grows them on till they get to big for her tank, then they go into mine.

 

[Zikofski]

nice yes looking at those pictures look great il hunt them down in my LFS don't think they stock but il ask

 

[sona98765]

Raphael Striped Catfish
They have great personalities and you could easily house 4 in your tank
Good luck!