Help Choosing Bottom Dwellers

[Faythee]

Just bought a 75 gallon tank today...went to get a 55, but for a few dollars more I figured you can't go too big

I will be transferring my fish from my 10 gallon. 1 opaline gourami, 1 dwarf gourami, 2 zebra danios, and 1 polka dot pictus catfish.

My issue is the pictus. I love this fish...he is so cool. Problem is I never see him as he hides all day. He will not even come out to eat. Looks like I can't really add any other bottom dwellers with him except for more pictus. They may fight, and I am thinking there is a chance they will ALL just hide all day ! Plus once I transfer him...I don't think I would ever be able to catch him if I do want him out. He is sooo fast and you can't net them.

So back to the store he goes unless y'all have had better experience with keeping say 4 of them in a tank.

If I do take him back......what do you recommend I get ?

I was going to do river sand mixed with some small black gravel, but after researching it, it looks like a pain in the butt so will likely go with a light colored small pebble.

I will be adding eventually 2 more opalines, 6 bleeding heart tetras, and 2-3 angelfish.

Thank you !

 

[dthoffsett]

IME p.pictus do best in groups of 4 or more, mine were always active and often fought off the cichlids for food. Also, having plenty of caves or other hiding spaces will make them feel more secure and more likely to venture out. Your little guy will be much happier in a larger tank with friends, and you'll be more likely to see him/her.

 

[Faythee]

Yes...in the store I see them playing together.....but what do you suggest for caves ? I do not like the looks of most of them. I ordered a large piece of wood seen below. Will I need , say 4 places for 4 of them ? Not sure how to do this. I ordered this wood piece ...I got the XL

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...20tree&Np=1

I am also getting an attractive rock or two and adding plants. My pictus wants complete enclosure....not what these would offer. Or would they learn to find someplace in this element ?

I wouldn't mind adding a cave...but they would fight over it, right ? Please help me on this because say 4-5 pictus would be great to me as long as they are happy as well as me and the looks of my tank.

 

[dthoffsett]

Best bet would be to have 2 to 3 times the number of caves as you do catfish so they can pic the ones they want. They don't have to be store bought caves per say, just overhangs and crevices they can fit in. The stump on the link would be great, you can also take some small rocks (slate works great) and make your own caves. Flower pots (broken in half)/PVC pipes work as well, if you don't like the look of them you can always coat them in silicone, then roll them in sand or gravel and kind of half bury them to look like hills.

 

[Faythee]

I have seen on here terra cotta looking small plant holders in others pics. Can
I rinse them and bury in the gravel and be safe....or find plastic ones ?

Also have a rock "shelf" I am interested in buying custom made...Ebay....slate I think

 

[dthoffsett]

I have seen on here terra cotta looking small plant holders in others pics. Can
I rinse them and bury in the gravel and be safe....or find plastic ones ?

Also have a rock "shelf" I am interested in buying custom made...Ebay....slate I think

You can use the real terra cotta ones.