I have some room left in my SA cichlid tank but not enough for another cichlid. I was thinking of getting a catfish like a raphael cat. Would he just get eaten? Or are there any other things that go with SA cichlids that aren't that big?
catfish with SA cichlids?
- Thread starter cichlidexpert23
- Start date
Raphael catfish are built like a fortress and have spines that can cause serious damage if they get swallowed, but that won't happen unless there's a large size difference. They also hide 90% of the time. You probably won't even see it.
I wouldn't get a catfish, they are quite boring and lay around all day. Unless you leave the lights off at all times!
Get a pictus catfish or a bumblebee catfish they can hold their own IME.
Get a pictus catfish or a bumblebee catfish they can hold their own IME.
or you could try a bristlenose pleco,max size is 6 inches i think,slow grower.i had 2 previously in different tanks,they were active enough,not aggressive
imo pictus catfish are just as boring.
The only catfish I've kept that didn't hide all day was a columbian shark (Hexanematichthys seemanni) but they can only live in freshwater for so long. Need brackish for long term survival.
The only catfish I've kept that didn't hide all day was a columbian shark (Hexanematichthys seemanni) but they can only live in freshwater for so long. Need brackish for long term survival.
I have a raph, and as cacichlids said, you will never see it. I have had mine for months, and the second he touched the water, he hid, and I've not seen him one time since. And this tank even has moonlights installed! In fact, I am only assuming he is alive as I type this. I suspect he's somewhere underneath a large piece of driftwood, but I'm not about to go moving stuff around to try to find him. If he's happy, then so be it.
But be prepared... unless you lack hiding spaces, you may not ever see this fish again. Good luck!
-Rich
But be prepared... unless you lack hiding spaces, you may not ever see this fish again. Good luck!
-Rich
All of my plecos are great... my bristlenose plecos, and even the ones I have that are rare... (so rare, I don't even remember their L-number! LOL...). Also, my bumble bee cats do tend to hide, but I see them often, especially when feeding. So they are not the total disappearing act my raph is.
-Rich
-Rich
if you really want a good cat for cichlids, go with pim blochii (4-line cat), they can handle semi-aggresive fish and are fairly active. they max out about 9"
here's my big guy about 6 yrs old
here's my big guy about 6 yrs old
I HAD A PIM BEFORE AND HE WAS THE SAME LENGTH AS HIS WHISKERS.....2FT! THESE THINGS GET HUGE. VERY PEACEFUL BUT BIG.THE 180 I HAD HIM IN WAS TOO SMALL SO I GAVE HIM TO A FRIEND WITH A 300G.