Scleromystax Barbatus

[FishLover4+1]

i have a 20 gal (90 litre?) temperate tank that contains 3 female variatus platys. i also have a male variatus platy in quarantine who will soon be added.
i have been doing some research into temperate tanks and apparently scleromystax barbatus (bearded catfish?) could be a good choice to add some variety to my all v. platy tank.
i have a gravel substrate, quite smooth, and do 25-30% water changes every week with a gravel cleaner.
(by the way, i dont mean immediately but in the course of the year)
thank you

 

[FishLover4+1]

oh and can i have some care tips as well if you think they'd be suitable.

 

[MartinS]

Yes, S.barbartus are ideal for a temperate tank.
Have you read the species page over on PC yet?
Feeding wise, depends on size obviously, but any of the frozen foods, bloodworm, daphnia etc. as well as Tetra Prima and flake. A good varied diet will help improve your chances of spawning, and cool water changes may well trigger spawning activity. The are less common these days on shops, but do come up from time to time - usually at a premium.
HTH
Martin

 

[Inchworm]

Hi FishLover4+1,

I'm going to move your thread over to the Corydoras section. The Scleromystax barbatus is closely related to them and was even formerly known as the Corydoras barbatus. Just care for them as you would other corys. They are a beautiful fish!

 

[FishLover4+1]

thanks
how much would i be looking at for one??? and how many in my tank???

 

[Inchworm]

Hi FishLover4+1

Here's an article you might find useful, not just for the breeding advice, but for the geeral information as well. I wanted to be able to confirm what I had heard about their possible aggressive behavior during breeding.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=258

I haven't seen any of them for sale recently but I haven't spent much time on AquaBid either. Do you live in the US?

 

[FishLover4+1]

no uk. in a week or so once ive almost finished revision i'll go to my lfs (about 20 mins away) cause my local pet shop never ha anything interesting, apart from baloon mollys that look about to drop.
EDIT: oh and thanks for the link Inchworm

 

[FishLover4+1]

anyone know where to get one from in the northwest of england???