Fish Stuck To Filter?

[Spitter33]

So I have a cheap Topfin "Multi-Stage Internal Filter" This exact one right here: 
 
http/www.petsmart.ca/fish/filters-filter-media/top-fin-multi-stage-internal-filter-zid36-20868/cat-36-catid-300019?var_id=36-20868&_t=pfm%3Dcategory%26pfmvalue%3Dfaceted
 
My fish loves to swim under it, right up to it so it looks like it's stuck to it. But it's not THAT powerful. I even have it on the lowest setting possible. So I'm not entirely sure if it's stuck or not but whenever I notice this I run over and unplug the filter. But... The fish doesn't move, it'll just hang out there for a good 10-15 minutes sometimes, then once I realize it's gone I'll plug the filter back in again. 
 
Are there any solutions? How do you guys position your filters? Do your fish do this too? My filter is on the back wall, near the top of the far left hand corner. Beneath it is just a few rocks I have built up a bit. Should I move it elsewhere? If so, where's best? 
 
Thanks!

 

[Spitter33]

I mean there's no possible way he can get sucked into the filter. But I mean he just gets stuck on it. Pressed up against it in a way. He just keeps going back to it it's so frustrating!

 

[stanleo]

Is your tank cycled? Do you know your water parameters? What kind of fish is it and how big is the tank? What are the fish's tankmates?

The reason I ask is this sounds like a response to the fish being stressed out. No filter that I know of is sucking water strong enough to suck up a healthy fish. I learned this the hard way. Finding a fish that was not suitable to my tank sucked into the filter. After researching it I found out the reason was the fish was stressed and therefore unhealthy.

 

[Spitter33]

Is your tank cycled? Do you know your water parameters? What kind of fish is it and how big is the tank? What are the fish's tankmates?

The reason I ask is this sounds like a response to the fish being stressed out. No filter that I know of is sucking water strong enough to suck up a healthy fish. I learned this the hard way. Finding a fish that was not suitable to my tank sucked into the filter. After researching it I found out the reason was the fish was stressed and therefore unhealthy.

 
Well, here's the thing. I'm in a weird situation now, this might be a problem for an entirely different thread but we'll see. 
 
I'm currently doing a "silent cycle" in my 10 gallon tank. It's a long tank (I'm not sure on exact parameters at the moment). I have 2 Moneyworts and 3 really big Cobambas and that was to help with cycling with my Betta. And that was the only fish I had in there. 
 
Now, I have a friend who is moving a few hours away so he was getting rid of all his fish. I told him I'd want some but probably couldn't due to me doing a "silent cycle". I told him my setup and he told me it would be fine. 
 
So he gave me an upside down catfish. I didn't think of looking into because I assumed he'd know what he was talking about (he has a 50gallon  that he's had for years). So last night I started doing some research... Turns out these guys need to be in schools, and get 4" long and need to be a 30 gallon!? 
 
So now I'm not sure what to do... 1 would probably be fine in my 10 gallon... But they should be in schools... Should I get 1 more? I'm not sure I know anyone else I can give this little guy too. I can't really see him growing 4 inches though... I don't know how old he is but he's very tiny, under an inch.... He's a light brown with darker brown spots, does that mean anything?
 
 
But to be honest, it looks as if he's intentionally going towards the filter... he's swim right up to it intentionally it seems, and then even when i shut the filter off so he's no longer 'stuck' he'll still just hang around it for quiet a while... I think he just likes the filter, but I repositioned it so that he can't get to it anymore though. It'll probably be less effective, but hey, at least he can't get hurt.

 

[stanleo]

That is an interesting situation. There are actually a few different species of upside down catfish and each is unique as far as the size they grow to. There is one that only grows to four inches and they do like schools of six or more. That maybe the reason he's staying attached to the filter. Is he attached on his belly side? That maybe where he feels safe in a tank without other catfish. They do need larger tanks, I would say 50 is minimum. Do you have a local fish store that will be willing to take him?

 

[Spitter33]

Hm, there are a few different species? Are there any that could happily live in a 10 gallon with 1 or 2 other of their kind? If so maybe this is the kind (I doubt it but you never know!) 
 
This one looks a lot like the one I now have. I just can't see him growing very big he's so incredibly tiny right now, he's about half the size of my Betta! 
 
http/www.aquariumfish.net/images_01/ud_cat_100517a1_w0480.jpg

 

[Spitter33]

Well I found the exact species of the little guy, it says the absolute biggest they get is 4". But that's the max, I feel like he won't even reach max size due to how small he is now... 
 
But say he does get to be 4" and I pick up another one that way he won't be alone and will feel more comfortable. My Betta under 2", I'd say about 1 1/2" 
 
So if we go by the old 1" per gallon, I'm just under max capacity. I know that's not the best rule to go by, but it kind of works I guess? 
 
Also: Turns out he's intentionally going to the filter, he wasn't getting sucked up to it. I turned the filter on it's side in a way which it would be impossible for him to get to the suction... Yet he still leaches himself onto the side that doesn't even have any suction I guess he just likes it... 
 
Him and the Betta get along perfectly too, they haven't bothered each other once.