Another Catfish?

[finchfarm]

We have recently refurbished our 75 gallon freshwater fish tank by making it a more realistic environment and replaced our old Fluval 304 filter that died a while ago. Because of personal preferences and tank setup (pH, water hardness, water temperature, ect. we want/have only Amazonian/South American fish). We currently have, in the tank, one Red Hook (about 6-8 inches long, estimated), a Head and Tail Light fish, two very small Silver Dollars, one small Marble Hatchetfish, six Red-Eyed Tetras, six Rummynose Tetras, and a 4-5 inch long Whiptail.

My family thinks we need another catfish (or other bottom feeder) in the tank besides the Whiptail because of the amount of other fish we have. I think the Whiptail is enough. Do we need another catfish? And secondly, can the tank, due to its size and the fish already in it, can it accomodate another fish, and if we were to get another catfish/bottom feeder what would you recommend?

Remember, Amazonian species only please.

 

[LisaLQ]

You need to think about getting some more silver dollars (red hook?) and head and tail lights first, then re-assessing. Both need to be in groups of at least 5

But I think even with those, you could fit in a bristlenose or another plec of some description - as long as you dont go for one of the biggies (common or sailfin) you should be fine in a 75g

 

[finchfarm]

Thanks for your suggestion. I'd read about needing to keep Silver Dollars in larger schools, but was hesitant since I knew they can get big and I already had a big fish in the tank. The "Red Hook" and "Silver Dollars" were bought under different names, although I've heard they are both closely related and in the Silver Dollar Family, our Red Hook just has a much longer hook-shaped anal fin that is completely red, versus the Silver Dollars much shorther, much less red anal fin. If the tank can handle it, we might consider getting some more Silver Dollars.

We actually started out with five Head and Tail Light fish. Through the years (our head and tail light fish is pretty old) the others died and we only have the one left. We'll have to go over to our local store and see if they have any.