A good small scavenging catfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

tydus

Piranha
MFK Member
Jul 11, 2007
4,875
50
81
California
What do you guys recommend for a small catfish between 2-4 inches max is the best scavenger? I want something that can coexist with cichlids, is very peaceful and that eats up every pellet that drops down to the botom of the tank.
 
striped raph?
 
Sorry didn't include this, I am talking about African cichlids here and I don't want to get catfish that can pass 4 inches, because I don't want to risk my africans for food.
 
You can get pretty much any Synodontis Cat which is an african. There mouths are very small so you don't have to worry about them eating others. Unless of course you have fry.
 
Loachs are a good alternative... less picky eaters than some cats can be... but if ya really want a cat, check out the synos. Many of them don't get real big
 
Synodontis petricola is your best bet, and I'd recommend a group of at least 4-6. But you will need to feed any catfish you add to an african tank; I find feeding after lights out is the best time to ensure my Syno's get all the food they need. I have some petricola's that have maxed out at about 3.5-4".
 
oscar n redtail cat;1879679; said:
get a sino cat they grow about 5-12" mabey a bit bigger and they dont eat fish :D and a goood scavenger when the light is out
hope it helped?
:D:D

Oh they will eat fish, they will eat every fry you have in a tank. Just have to be small enough. I have a 8" Angelicus that is 11 years old and she would not let a small fry live in her tank.
 
Will a small group of clown loaches be good with victorian cichlids and scavenge the bottom for uneaten NLS pellets?
 
why not just do a small school of upside down cats(syno. nigrofsciata i think) they tap out at like 3 inches so they wont touch any fry.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com