Cetopsis orinoco - any advice or experience?

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Conchonius

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2024
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These have appeared in an import list, very unusually for my corner of the world, and I was tempted enough to go for them.

I've got the general gist of their keeping from Google: apparently they prefer neutral to slightly acidic pH, and something like 20g should be sufficient for volume (unlike C. coecutiens that grows to 30cm/12", these are supposed to remain below 10cm/4"). They can be kept in a group, but no other fish must be in the tank, as some species feed by ripping flesh from larger carcasses and don't always check if their prey is really dead. Care must also be exercised during cleaning, for they can pierce skin and have no fear of man. No difficulties in feeding, it seems - they supposedly eat anything that hits the water, including their keeper if the opportunity is provided.

Beyond that, are there any pointers or advice from people who kept them? I've ordered three, and set aside a tank for when they arrive, I expect towards the end of the month.
 
  • Wow
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I've seen one of the Cetopsis species, not sure which, for sale locally once. Probably due to having seen Jeremy Wade feature them on his show once, combined with a small bit of research which seemed to indicate that he wasn't sensationalizing them, combined with just the overall look of them, but...they just creeped me right out.

I'm the guy who raised a tarantula to help overcome a fear of spiders...worked quite well, too. I'll handle just about any critter, carefully but without "fear" as such. But those weird colourless eyeless scaleless predatory living snots just got to me.

I'll be following along here, but that's as close as I want to come. :)
 
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