Hmm Quick Question...

[typhoon]

a few months ago i was offered what the garden centre called a " chochlate catfish " it was like a big square flat jaw/mouth and burrowed really far into the sand and didnt really move i was gonig to get it but it was 40quid so i didnt any ideas what this was and what its compatibilty is as ive googled the name but im abit crap at googly thanks alot

 

[typhoon]

it wasnt a rapheal cat or a plec it was just all brown

 

[Bloo]

Certainly sounds like a "Frogmouth Catfish" - Chaca chaca

Be careful though - they are huge predators and need to be kept in very specific setup's. And they have a tendency to lower a pH and kill off everything else in the tank

 

[screamingdonkey]

And they have a tendency to lower a pH and kill off everything else in the tank

Just out of interest, how do they manage this?
Not doubting you for a minute - but seems like an amazing statement and just wondered how this is done. Thanks in advance

 

[Bloo]

It's actually also mentioned in that profile link to planet catfish - and if you do some googles on them you'll find out more. I think it's a secretion that causes it.

I think (the mods) CFC and SirMinion have reported on this themselves (if I remember correctly)

Edit: just did a quick google myself and found this statement in this indepth article.

German catfish aquarist Klaus Dreymann has monitored Chaca chaca for what he believes is, that this catfish is able to secrete certain substances that lower the pH level in its tank and in doing so can sometimes poison other inhabitants of the aquarium with a drop from 7.0 to 5.5 in a matter of a week.

 

[typhoon]

yeah thats it spot on wicked can i keep it with cichlids??

 

[Bloo]

did you not read any of those links I just gave. Or did your own subsequent research?q`

If you haven't - no - not unless you possibly want them to die. Either by being eaten (depending on what cichlid we're talking about) or pH shock.