Can two Leiarius Pictus hang together

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pimbuddy

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 9, 2007
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Miami
I was at the LFS and I saw a L. Pictus that had been sitting there for the past three months. It was marked at $99 and I haggled them down to $59 so I was pretty stoked because he is about 10" and in really good shape. I was interested in a longibarbis but I haven't been able to find one and they do get a little bigger than I like. So I figured another one at this price would be a nice addition. When I placed him in the pond he swam around a bit and finally found the big guy, who is 3-4 times his size and he seemed to be really happy swimming up against the bog guy and trying to lay next to him. The big guy freaked and then after a few minutes of being chased decided that he is much bigger and should chase the little dude. So my Question is this " does anybody know about compatibility with two of this species". Right now he is chilling with the TSN 14" and LIMA 7" who hang together all the time without issue. He still tries to chase the big guy a little who turns around and chases back. Any info would be nice. I included some updated pics of the pond and some pics of him in the store and then being brought home.

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im sorry i cant be much help. but i am super jealous because i have been looking for Leiarius pictus for quite some time, and they just arent around.:irked:


great pick up though
 
If for any reason the two dont get along the little guy may be up for sale. Ill keep you in mind, thanks.
 
wow, that's a great deal on a rare fish! I don't personally have the direct experience to answer your question, but it should work.
 
Here are two quotes from other sites. Basically I always wondered why the other cats just sit in one corner, I thought it was because they were shovelnoses and they just liked it there but upon further inspection I see that my L. Pictus is super territorial and doesnt allow them to roam the rest of the pond. Any suggestions?

It should not be kept with other Pimelodid catfish in home aquaria; suitable catfish companions could include large Dorad catfish (e.g. Oxydoras, Megalodoras), though even these may be harrassed occasionally. Large but peaceful fish of the upper levels are usually tolerated.

These catfish are real character fish, but can be noticeable territorial especially towards other pimelodids. My own catfish has a very understanding relationship with a large Oscar: if the Oscar gets in the way at feeding time, the pim will take the Oscar in its mouth and swim around the pond a couple of times before depositing the disorientated fish in one of the corners!
 
i just wish you luck with your fish. it is truely amazing that you were able to get two. hopefully it will work out, cause not every fish is the same. so hopefully youll have better luck keeping yours together.
 
i to haven't seen L.pictus i've seen a few L longibarbis but no pictus

i've actually heard that they can be terrotorial twords each other you could try it and let us know how it works but have a back up plan
 
Day Two Update:

Little guy made it through the night and has found a place to hide behind a submersible filter. He looks like he got a little ruffed up and my pleco took a nip at him but he is eating massivore pellets like crazy and the other guys will mellow out after a little while I hope. Going to be interesting as the TSN is almost 14" and once he is close in size to the big L. Pictus I'll see how mellow they are. I gues the two Pictus have similar swiming and nite cruising behaviors so they get in each others way more often. The Lima and TSN are more wait and strike guys and tend to be sedenary. In a few weeks Ill post some more shots to see who is growing. Thanks for the encouragement people!
 
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