Is This Normal Behaviour For Cat Fish?

[Gold-Fisher]

I got a small cat fish its body looks like a shark, initailly it was active eating of the tank walls and floor now its hiding amongst plants, and dosent come out, is it okay? are these fromm the shark family, waht is this breeds name?

 

[Davo86]

I got a small cat fish its body looks like a shark, initailly it was active eating of the tank walls and floor now its hiding amongst plants, and dosent come out, is it okay? are these fromm the shark family, waht is this breeds name?

do you have a pic?

if not could you give more details? colour, size, etc.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

If you can get a picture for us that would help to identify it which would mean we can decide if the behaviour is normal.

can you give us some more info on the tank, how long has it been running for, how was it cycled, how big is it and what fish do you have, what are your current water stats, what equipment are you running on the tank?

 

[Gold-Fisher]

Its this one [URL="http/images.suite101.com/220478_129045087.jpg"]http/images.suite101.com/220478_129045087.jpg[/URL]

Miss Wiggle its a 5 gallon tank, running since about six months, water is changed and tank cleaned every three weeks, 20% water changed in between, no water stats, otehr fish in tank are a small Goldfish, a small angel and a male Betta, by the way you'll be surprised to know all are living in perfect harmony.

I know Gold and angel need bigger tanks, Gold are cold water fish, Betta are tropical, but the Goldfish was rescued from a freind, the Angel I added because I didnt like the other types on sale and the salesman looked moody since I was asking too many questions so I just bought it, the Betta I love and couldnt resist getting.

I cannot afford large tanks and the amount of water needed to keep the Gold and Angel nor do I have the space, most people in the third world country I live in do not keep any kind of fish in anything bigger than 10-15 gallons because of various issues, including space, water wastage and finances plus maintainence although professional cleaners can be hired but again they are too expensive.

 

[Davo86]

Is that the exact fish or just a similar one? If its your it looks very pale
It also appears to be a gibby or similar species of pterygoplichthys, which can grow to around 18inches in length

My guess is that if your only doing 20% every few weeks then theres your problem, as you know you are heavily overstocked and to compensate for this you will need to be doing at least a 50% water change each week preferably two in order to keep your fish in good condition

 

[Miss Wiggle]

what you have there is a plecostumus, i suspect it's a gibbiceps but i'm not 100% sure of the exact species.

If I'm right and it is a Gibbiceps then it will get to 24" loong....... I'm sure I don't need to tell you why that's waaaaaay too big for the 5 gal tank that you have.

You're quite right that the tankmates you have are entirely un suitable, I can understand that your circumstances are not the same as in the more developed world, however that is no excuse for animal cruelty. I'm sorry to say but keeping all these fish together in a 5 gallon tank is just that, regardless of how well you clean it or whatever else.

The only fish that you have which is suitable for the tank is the betta, the tank is not big enough for anything else, I would suggest you return the rest of the fish to the fish shop.

If you can find something like amano shrimp or pgymy cories you can put a few of these in with the betta.

What are you feeding the plec? He'll need fresh vegetables and processed things like algae wafers.

 

[Gold-Fisher]

I never knew it would grow so big, no my fisjh looks like this oen, its not a photo taken by me.

Miss Wiggle I'm feeding all my fish, pellets, flakes and blood worms.

Thanks everyone for your advice, will try and trade in the bigger fish for other types, how about Balloonfish, are they suitable for this tank and betta, will guppies go with betta.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the betta will not mix with very much and a 5 gallon is really only suitable for a single bettw with perhaps a couple of pgymy cories or amano shrimp.... something along those lines.

there's a lot of species which have 'ballon' varieteis, can you be more specific in the type of fish i.e. give us the scientific name if possible, full common name if not!

 

[Gold-Fisher]

I dont know their name, the one sI saw were very small in colurs like orage/silver, same as Goldfish, Zebra stripes same as Angelfish and plain silver, all of them were puffed up and had lots of fry too in the tank, the sales guy told me they also breed normally in home tanks with no extra care required.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

probably balloon mollies, do a google image search for that and tell us if that's what you saw?

 

[Gold-Fisher]

Yes they did look like ballon molly.

 

[Gold-Fisher]

Catfish now doing well and quite active around the tank.

 

[stang1]

As Miss Wiggle suggested, a 5G tank is only suitable for a Betta and a couple of Shrimp or Pygmy Cories.