Catfish ideas
- Thread starter jaws7777
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Ornate Pims are sweet but I had one that was ripped to shreds by an oscar and blood parrot that decided they didn't like how active it was. My vote would be vulture. If you could find a P. bufonius that could be an option too. I've heard of them holding their own with larger fairly aggressive tankmates. Much shyer cat though
Thx guys always wanted a vulture and bolt but as usual my favs always have some type of baggage.
How do bolts compare to vultures in activity level and personality ?
The pearsei doesnt really bother anyone but other cichlids most of my issues came from feedings but from the little i read on vultures their appetites wpuld be perfect to compete with the pearsei.
isde02 noticed you guys had some in the past
You got some good info from Moe, Kno4te, Travis and Experiment but I'm always happy to add my experiences, hope it helps.
I've never personally kept Torosus but from what I've read they aren't particularly fast growing cats; not really surprising considering their max size. I've also read that they do well with boisterous tankmates as they can be aggressive themselves. Though not overly so and usually only defend their hide. Though at night I've heard they may cause issue with other bottom dwellers and Cichlids learn to avoid the bottom at night due to the activity. I've also read that they aren't as active as Macropterus in general but also aren't big hiders even when at rest. When underway though these guys are supposed to be fast and during feedings are exceptionally bold chasing other fish trying to snatch food out of their tankmates mouths. A habit I observed in my Macro's. I've also read that they are less timid then Macropterus and therefore more responsive to their owners. Lastly I read that they tend to be fragile at smaller sizes which is probably one of the reasons we don't see these awesome cats often. Again that's just what I've read, I have no personal experiences.
Macropterus however I have kept and they are great cats as well. Mine weren't timid as I heard them described. Never darty unless looking for food and I had to shoo them away when cleaning the tank so they had no aversion to my hand being in the tank and very close to them. Though I never handfed them, something i did accomplish with many of my cats but I also didn't really try with the Macro either. IME growth rate was scary fast. Fastest growing fish I ever had where RedTails, Pacus, Granulosus and my Macros. At least till the Macros hit around 12 inches. They're very active IME and I've never personally seen them act aggressive except during feeding when as I said above they will try to snatch food out of their tankmates mouths. They even get along well with one another and are one of the very few species that I saw no aggression when keeping only two of the same species. Most times when keeping only two of the same species even in what are normally considered peaceful fish you'll see aggression often times serious. IME not so with Macropterus.
Personally I can't think which one I'd personally choose. The Macro will probably get along better with bottom dwelling tankmates then the Torosus so it might be the better choice for you. As I'm imagining you'll be keeping these cats with your Poly's . The Macro would probably just join the pack as they seem to enjoy contact with other fish IME. During rest my Macro would search out my Trachys, RTC, Hybrid, Ornatus or Granulosus to lean against and they maybe comforted by snuggling with your Poly's. Hard to say since Poly's have those garnoid scales unlike smooth catfish skin. I also wouldn't recommend getting both because from what I read the Torosus will probably have issue with a Macro sharing their tank.
Thx guys.
Thx for the explanation kolt, im trying to scrounge enough money for another 300 so the macro wouldnt be with the polys the bioload in that tank is insane refretting not setting up a drip. Tankmates would be a pearsei amd some heterospilus. Any other medium cats you would recommend keeping in this tank ?
I'd love a p.bufonius, funny when i 1st joined mfk i was on the hunt for one but never found any available.
Thx for the explanation kolt, im trying to scrounge enough money for another 300 so the macro wouldnt be with the polys the bioload in that tank is insane refretting not setting up a drip. Tankmates would be a pearsei amd some heterospilus. Any other medium cats you would recommend keeping in this tank ?
No problem Jaws and as far as Bufonius, Jeff Rapps used to have them from time to time. If you hit him up he maybe able to source more. I can't remember where I got mine from but I know it wasn't Jeff. It's too bad because I wish I could provide you with more then one lead.
Also in regards to Bufonius they are one of the more attractive IMHO pseudopimelodidae but they are IME big time hiders. Unlike their bigger family members such as Apurensis which IMO is a much more interesting fish. Apurensis have a beastly charm about them that's hard to resist once you've had one and I know Jeff has one as does John/Snookn21 on Aquabid. He used to be a vendor here. Check out this recent thread here on them to read some Apu keeping stories. https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/c-fowleri-vs-c-apurensis.664966/page-3
As for medium cats IMHO Pimelodus Ornatus make a nice addition but definitely benefit from being kept in a group which increases their confidence and activity level. Jeff currently has some for sale. I also personally like Centrodoras Brachiatus as a medium cat, maxing out at around 16 inches. IME they're more out going then many of the other Doradidae are peaceful while rocking that awesome saw armor on their sides. Bluegrassaqautics has Centro's in stock right now. And Jeff has Hemisorubim platyrhynchos which is another nice pimelodidiae that doesn't get too big and is a nice medium cat. They max out around 20 inches.
Centrodoras Brachiatus
Hemisorubim platyrhynchos
The Macro should be fine in a 150 for awhile as their growth slows after they reach about a foot or so in length. I think they're capable of reaching full size in about three years so you should be goodAnother question for
IME not really. They are often times on the move and even when they retire they don't go crazy doing a disappearing act even when fairly young.
