A good small scavenging catfish

[tydus]

I can but it can be hard to differentiate which ones are which, because there are atleast 3 species listed as upside down catfish, not just one. And yes, they top at out at 4 inches not 3 and it still doesn't mean they won't eat fry. The whole genus will consume fry like there is no tomorrow. There are the S. nigriventris, S. contractus and the S. eupterus sold. I don't want to get mixed up with the species and get the ones that get bigger and more aggressive. I'd rather get petricolas at the price, but can't seem to find any locally. I was going for an angelicas, but they aren't common and most can fetch a high price. So, I'll be aiming for atleast 6-10 juvie petricolas.

 

[itstrickytorock]

I'm not sure if these guys would fare well with Africans, but they are a small cat I've always wanted to try: http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=portholecatfish - Dianema longibarbis. They max at around 4" and look like good scavengers..I've read they're a peaceful fish.

 

[tydus]

They look good, and I see them for sale sometimes, thanks for the reccomendation, I'll see.

 

[zenyfish]

Corys, dianema (or any hoplo type), and USD cats (S. nigriventris) are all bad ideas ... they will get killed in an African cichlid tank.

Synodontis like multipunctatus, petricola, eupterus, or nigrita are tougher catfish that will work.

If you want a catfish that won't eat frys, then go with a bristle-nose pleco. This is hit or miss ... cichlid have been known to maul even large BN plecos to death.

 

[tydus]

Thanks bro. I've realized that all synos do good with african cichlids. I've tried bn plecos and I don't like them being with my cichlids. They are too territorial and my cichlids always beats on them. I wouldn't keep bn plecos with my cichlids anymore. Also, my african cichlids don't get too big and are fairly peaceful maxing out at 4 inches plus, most never reaching that size that I've ever seen, so I imagine that any cat will do good. They are only 1.5-2 inches right now and I'm looking for dwarf cats around 2-4 inches that are good scavengers.