Compatibility question

[gorak]

I have at 22" L. Marmoratus. I plan to get a small L. Pictus. Will that be cool together or not? They will end up in a large tank with a tigrinus and a few armored cats. Wonder how they will get alone before I drop some cash on this L.Pictus.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

IME it is a safe gamble. In my 4000 gal pond in prior life, I've seen a few minor scuffles within marmoratus and pictus groups and perhaps some inter-group interaction occurred too.

In my current 4500 gal I have 3 pictus and 3 marmoratus, all ~2', not paying attention to the other species. Only pictus try to reshuffle their hierarchy every now and then.

 

[gorak]

Ill pick it up then. It is $140 for 4-5". That seem right?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

That's an unusual size for an L. pictus but since a few years back they started to come in at under 1', even down to 6".

Nor do I get what's up with prices. They used to be well under $100, more like $75 but lately vendors have been asking $200-$300 for them. I don't get it.

Our friend Jeff V victor448 has been looking for one too. Perhaps this thread would help you or you can help him: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...bled-sailfin-pim-catfish.687896/#post-7754133

 

[victor448]

IMHO Unless the L Marmoratus and the L Pictus are in very large aquarium like Viktors 4500 Gallon the odds are there is going to be trouble. Even if the fish are of similar size there is high potential for fighting. With the size differential you are considering I think the odds are even higher that trouble will ensue. Anything from fin or body damage all the way to death by overt aggression or swallowing of the smaller fish in this case the L Pictus. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

 

[gorak]

They would be in different tanks until size would allow. My current L. Marmoratus is in my 180gal. I have a 75 and 125 gal to grow the L. Pictus in. I have a 6" tig in my 125gal now. I may pass though.

I pmd you of your search.

 

[gorak]

The tanks they would end up in is an 8'x8' or larger.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Aquascape has 2"-ers for $30 in stock their site says http://www.aquascapeonline.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=489&item=Marble Sailfin Catfish 2

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

IMHO Unless the L Marmoratus and the L Pictus are in very large aquarium like Viktors 4500 Gallon the odds are there is going to be trouble. Even if the fish are of similar size there is high potential for fighting. With the size differential you are considering I think the odds are even higher that trouble will ensue. Anything from fin or body damage all the way to death by overt aggression or swallowing of the smaller fish in this case the L Pictus. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

I agree with the notion that the larger the tank, the lesser the potential for any trouble.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Aquascape has 2"-ers for $30 in stock their site says http://www.aquascapeonline.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=489&item=Marble Sailfin Catfish 2

Jeff V victor448 pointed out and I agree that this is L. marmoratus, not pictus. Aquascape made a mistake.