Cool catfish for a 55gal planted tank

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upyun

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 20, 2006
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Philadelphia
I need some recommendations/opinions for a cool looking catfish for my 55gal planted tank. I wanted to get a dwarf giraffe catfish since I think it looks very interesting and only gets to about 8 inches, but I've heard that it would uproot all my plants, have you guys heard the same? Seeing as none of my plants are potted...that would be a PITA everyday to replant everything.

I currently have a Pimelodus blochii that's getting a little aggressive with my other fish, so I was thinking of getting something else that's a little different looking than your normal cat.

Tank consists of 2 Leopard Ctenopoma, 2 Nandus nandus and 5 Congo Tetras.

I've heard that Chaca Chaca catfish lowers the pH of the water so I wouldn't want one of those. I would like something that's active and predatory, but I don't think there are too many catfish that would fit that profile (staying under 10 inches that is). I was thinking of something like a Bagaris bagarius, since it would be cool to watch hunt and ambush prey. I know they aren't really active, but I don't think I can have it both ways (active and predatory) in such a small catfish.

lemme know what you guys think!

Brian
 
The bagarius bagarius would eat all your other fish and they also need cooler water temps than your typical tropical fish and a decent amount of aeriation. If you want something thats plant friendly as far as catfish go your pretty much looking at cory cats or hardier plants like anubias nana or something with a big tuber style root and thicker stems. The upside down cat isn't a bad idea they stay pretty small and are peacefull or maybe porthole cats. The giraffe catfish would ideally like harder water and higher ph so would the upside down cat but they would probably be okay as long as your water is neutral 7.0ish ph. The giraffe cat would uproot your plants. If you're talking about a true planted tank and not just a tank with a few plants, corys are your best bet hands down. ~Trent
 
amazonfishman;545133; said:
The bagarius bagarius would eat all your other fish and they also need cooler water temps than your typical tropical fish and a decent amount of aeriation. If you want something thats plant friendly as far as catfish go your pretty much looking at cory cats or hardier plants like anubias nana or something with a big tuber style root and thicker stems. The upside down cat isn't a bad idea they stay pretty small and are peacefull or maybe porthole cats. The giraffe catfish would ideally like harder water and higher ph so would the upside down cat but they would probably be okay as long as your water is neutral 7.0ish ph. The giraffe cat would uproot your plants. If you're talking about a true planted tank and not just a tank with a few plants, corys are your best bet hands down. ~Trent
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Yea, I was thinking about the congos with the Bagarius, but I wouldn't think it would eat the Ctenopomas (6") or Nandus (~7") since it only gets to 8 inches itself.
 
Medusa Plec :)
 
Yeah i'd go with the featherfin. I had one, attractive and active for a catfish, don't grow too big and mine never had a quarrel with any of my other fish. The giraffe will uproot everything in sight lol.

Carl.
 
Carl D;555725; said:
Yeah i'd go with the featherfin. I had one, attractive and active for a catfish, don't grow too big and mine never had a quarrel with any of my other fish. The giraffe will uproot everything in sight lol.

Carl.
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Interesting, I've talked to Chugger (MFK member) and he has 4 Dwarf Giraffe Catfish and he says that they don't uproot anything in his tanks :confused:

I think I'm still going with a Bagarius bagarius. From all the posts I've read on several forums, I believe that they are pretty mellow and could tolerate other tankmates.

Thanks! Keep the posts coming guys! This thread could be a nice resource to other folks that have 55gal planted tanks!

Brian
 
amazonfishman;545133; said:
The bagarius bagarius would eat all your other fish and they also need cooler water temps than your typical tropical fish and a decent amount of aeriation. If you want something thats plant friendly as far as catfish go your pretty much looking at cory cats or hardier plants like anubias nana or something with a big tuber style root and thicker stems. The upside down cat isn't a bad idea they stay pretty small and are peacefull or maybe porthole cats. The giraffe catfish would ideally like harder water and higher ph so would the upside down cat but they would probably be okay as long as your water is neutral 7.0ish ph. The giraffe cat would uproot your plants. If you're talking about a true planted tank and not just a tank with a few plants, corys are your best bet hands down. ~Trent
Click to expand...

wait a second, you said african dwarf giraffe cats, like hard water, i dont get it, they r in streams and rivers, like hemichromis, which love soft water.
 
upyun;556197; said:
Interesting, I've talked to Chugger (MFK member) and he has 4 Dwarf Giraffe Catfish and he says that they don't uproot anything in his tanks :confused:

I think I'm still going with a Bagarius bagarius. From all the posts I've read on several forums, I believe that they are pretty mellow and could tolerate other tankmates.

Thanks! Keep the posts coming guys! This thread could be a nice resource to other folks that have 55gal planted tanks!

Brian
Click to expand...

the dwarf giraffe will uproot your stuff, but the guttus which is the one you want wont, it's temperment is, alot different
 
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