Cave or no Cave?

[Bizzaro]

Which catfish can live in a tank with out a cave? I was told some will live but will get stressed out and die. What do u ppl have with no caves catfish?

 

[necrocanis]

most catfish adapt well to having no hiding spots. If you want pimelodids they should probably have some cover(like a cave) when young, but it is not so important as an adult. In fact if you do put a cave in for an adult fish they will consider it their territory, and will defend it so. They will actually be more aggressive with the cave and may kill unwilling passersby. I would say that smaller catfish should probably have something, but larger ones as a general rule of thumb should have as little decoration in their tanks as possible. They damage themselves less, and are less aggressive towards tankmates. Other members might have inputs they wish to share on this subject. Surely most doradids would be more comfortable with a hiding spot.

 

[killerfish]

for cats like pictus thay recomend as little cover as possible becuse thare so active and thay need alot of open swimming space

 

[Oddball]

Any cats that are mid-water or top water swimmers probably have little use of a cave. Any bottom cat should be, at least, offered a cave or overhang. If they never use it, it can be removed. If they use it than you know that it was needed.

 

[rocsorcs]

I have a 8" Lima Shovelnose and a 4" TSN in a 125 gal. tank without a cave of any kind.

I do have some plants, and some driftwood, for them to hide in, though.

They seem to be doing great.

 

[Bizzaro]

Ya i have a little rock over hang his "kind of" hidding under lol his head and tail totaly stick out, i dont know whos he fooling.

 

[AnDr3w]

I use caves even though the cats hide in them. Better in the long run