Can I add a pictus?

[we4wieners]

Let me know.....I have 70g African mbuna tank. Have one very shy syndontis, can I add a pictus? Or should I go for 2 more syndontis?

 

[Cleanbio]

I had a pictus cat in my tank for 5 years...i was amazed that it lived for so long, but it was so fast and non stop that none of the Africans could harass it, but in all honesty, i wouldn't recommend it as it never seemed comfortable and seemed like it didn't belong. it'd be better go for two or more syndontis...but not two featherfins as they grow quite large and fat and tend to fight with conspecifics and others over territory.

 

[KCLAMBERT]

I had actually thought about putting a pictus in my new peacock tank that I am setting up. Im sure that he would get full grown in a 125. But when I really thought it over, I think Im going to go with a syndontis or 2 instead. I dont know though, would it look stupid to have african peacocks and a catfish from SA?

 

[bcpits]

what type of sydo do you have? Certain ones will do better in groups and may come out more with some company And as cleanbio said, if its the feathfin, dont add another. Ive recently added 2 large ones and they do pick at eachother lol.
I've got a large 4-line pictus in mine, had him with malawi tank almost 2 years. Hes done well. Hes only fought with one cichlid once or twice, and that was with a large socolofi male, probably over territory. That and him and the pleco have it out occasionally, they seem to want the same spot.
If you go pictus, they need a nice cave to feel comfy. I love my pictus, very cool

Heres a picture of him in my old tank

 

[bcpits]

oh yah i will say that they do like open swimming area, so something to consider if you got a ton of rock in your tank