Are there any medium size (20-30cm) catfish that are commonly available?

[whipray]

Quite a few readily available from Asian bumblebee cats (pseudomystus siamensis) , plecs, a number of synodontis, a few doras , a number of pims (pimelodus) even some false girraffe cats.

I actually thought of dwarf giraffes. But they are hard to find in the place i live.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Perhaps I could propose the opposite. Let us know what catfish species are commonly available and affordable to you and we could make our opinions known on their size and compatibility with bichirs.

Some synodontis turn to parasitic rasping of slow and primitive tank mates, including bichirs.

Something as simple and fun as a 4-line pim catfish aka Pimelodus blochii may fit the bill.

We'll assume by 20-30cm you mean tip to tip.

Sounds like you may be in Australia?

 

[whipray]

Perhaps I could propose the opposite. Let us know what catfish species are commonly available and affordable to you and we could make our opinions known on their size and compatibility with bichirs.

Some synodontis turn to parasitic rasping of slow and primitive tank mates, including bichirs.

Something as simple and fun as a 4-line pim catfish aka Pimelodus blochii may fit the bill.

We'll assume by 20-30cm you mean tip to tip.

Sounds like you may be in Australia?

I see a catfish called "trachelyopterus fisheri" regularly in stores. They are also called columbian wood catfish. No I dont live in australia.

 

[whipray]

If i can find one maybe a lima shovelnose could be good.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

LSN could be a good fit.

The woodcat is a maniacal hider. If there is a place to hide, you will almost never see it in the light.

 

[whipray]

LSN could be a good fit.

The woodcat is a maniacal hider. If there is a place to hide, you will almost never see it in the light.

Yeah catfish tend to hide a lot sadly. I will try and find a LSN then.

 

[dmyersWv]

I believe i put some Raphaels (6) in my 220 about 5 years ago. I assume they are doing well as I have not removed bodies. Almost kidding. Lots of hides and I don't think I've seen them without moving rocks and wood in years.

 

[Conchonius]

Adding sun/eclipse catfish to the suggestion pile. Since the bichirs will mostly keep to the bottom, you could go with an active swimmer to complement the tank, and they're fairly common in my experience.

Synos are also possible, but can be a mixed bag as others have mentioned. My eupterus is kept in a planted community tank with fish small as chili rasboras, but shows no aggression or predatory behavior. However they do show individual variance and some can become territorial or learn to feed on slime coats.

 

[Gunfleet]

How about a Black Lancer? Jaguar catfish? I too will nominate Synodontis as a consideration. I have kept S. angelicus, decorus, and schoutedeni with no issues as long as there is just one in the tank.

 

[whipray]

Adding sun/eclipse catfish to the suggestion pile. Since the bichirs will mostly keep to the bottom, you could go with an active swimmer to complement the tank, and they're fairly common in my experience.

Synos are also possible, but can be a mixed bag as others have mentioned. My eupterus is kept in a planted community tank with fish small as chili rasboras, but shows no aggression or predatory behavior. However they do show individual variance and some can become territorial or learn to feed on slime coats.

How about a Black Lancer? Jaguar catfish? I too will nominate Synodontis as a consideration. I have kept S. angelicus, decorus, and schoutedeni with no issues as long as there is just one in the tank.

I have never heard of a black lancer they look good though. I also thought of jaguar cats but they are kinda hard to find.