Catfish suggestions for 180gal

[rvadog]

I have a 180 that has:
8 Silver dollar
1 pearsei chiclid (soon to arrive)
1 senegal bicher

I'd like to add 1-2 active catfish. Any suggestions? I was looking at Elongatus SN but am hearing these are more fun with a larger shoal and I don't think I have the space for 4 - 5.

 

[Gunfleet]

By active do you mean catfish that are out and about at all times, or out during feeding? If out and about at feeding times, I'd look a Synodontis decorus, or S. angelicus. All the time, maybe Pimadellas for some sort. I've always been a fan of P. pictus.

 

[Fishman Dave]

With the tank mates you have, including the relatively peaceful cichlid I would agree that a small group of pim Pictus would make an interesting addition if your wanting something on show.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

that bichir reallylimits things most decent sized catfish would have no problem eating it so I second the pictus school

 

[rvadog]

that bichir reallylimits things most decent sized catfish would have no problem eating it so I second the pictus school

Yeah, and he's a baby. Have never been that excited about pictus for some reason but it's something to consider.

 

[dogofwar]

Honestly the pearsi alone is going to be pretty much what you can keep in the tank. They get massive. I'd limit the rest of the bioload.

 

[rvadog]

Honestly the pearsi alone is going to be pretty much what you can keep in the tank. They get massive. I'd limit the rest of the bioload.

Massive? I mean they are big fish sure but this is monsterfishkeeper and I wouldn't think we'd call a 14" fish massive

 

[tlindsey]

Another issue aside of the Pearsei growing a massive size is how will you feed the Senegal if you added a group of catfish.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

LSN would be ok with 1, 2 or 3. Pimelodus genus - pictus, blochii, ornatus. Bolt catfish maybe. Smaller Doradids like mouse catfish, black top mouse catfish, Hassar, Doras genus. Smaller Bagridae, such as Mystus genus. Heptapterus genus, such as Rhamdia, Pimelodella genus. Schilbe family, grasscutter catfish. Silurids, such as Ompok genus. Suncat aka escipse, as a group. Synodontis. Larger Corydoras; maybe Splendes blochis. Hoplo catfish. Smaller bullhead. Smaller giraffe catfish.

 

[Fishman Dave]

To be honest, with the size of the cichlid and the dollars, with decent filtration of course and water changes, the bolt may be a better call than the Pictus like Victor suggests.