Horabagrus brachysomas (Sun Catfish) get decent size and can take care of themselves with aggressive tankmates. They like to keep to themselves so a cave or hideout would be appreciated.
Good "Bottom Cleaner" and an "elegant" catfish
- Thread starter ManuelP
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If by elegant you mean long and thin-built, I doubt you will find something compatible with gars because this describes their prey.
The ornate pimelodus is a better-looking but more expensive and rare variant of a 4-line Pim.
As for the boisterous tank mates, that was my experience. Yours and that of other keepers may differ.
Platysilurus mucosus is indeed elegant but easy to swallow and a bit timid. It maxes out at 8". Malarmo is the big one and is very rare. They are confused sometimes.
Fire eel may or may not work. In theory, I'd worry it is also too easy to swallow.
OP: "As for bottom cleaners. What about raphael catfish?..."
TBTB: I thought all we have been talking about were the fish you are considering for "cleaners", although no fish should be looked at like that because "cleaners" need an adequate, balanced nutrition too.
The ornate pimelodus is a better-looking but more expensive and rare variant of a 4-line Pim.
As for the boisterous tank mates, that was my experience. Yours and that of other keepers may differ.
Platysilurus mucosus is indeed elegant but easy to swallow and a bit timid. It maxes out at 8". Malarmo is the big one and is very rare. They are confused sometimes.
Fire eel may or may not work. In theory, I'd worry it is also too easy to swallow.
OP: "As for bottom cleaners. What about raphael catfish?..."
TBTB: I thought all we have been talking about were the fish you are considering for "cleaners", although no fish should be looked at like that because "cleaners" need an adequate, balanced nutrition too.
Any large polypterus. For catfish my vote would be a centrodoras brachiatus. They only grow to about a foot and don't hide as much as most doradids. Granulosis is another good choice but they grow very large.
Thanks again guys!
Well, by "elegant" I mean relatively streamlined, pretty long barbles,...
for example a Wels is not really elegant in my opinion, it´s more sluggish and "fat" (doesn´t mean that I don´t like them, in fact, they are one of my favorite catfish)
Some elegant catfish would be (for me):
The mentioned P. sturio, H. nemurus, P. ornatus, Vulture cats, Leiarius pictus, maybe Sorubim lima and so on
Yes, I know that long, thin fish are the preferred prey, that´s why I asked if P. mucosus would be fine (had my doubts).
I honestly didn´t know they stay that small, thanks for that Info as well!
thebiggerthebetter:
Don´t worry, I don´t plan on letting the "bottom cleaner" live off just the scraps!
For example, in some other tanks I have had, i always had a group of Corys as "Bottom Cleaners", They picked up the uneaten food, right after the other fish were done eating. After they "cleaned that up", they got their own food in a specific spot, where I was able to siphon their leftovers out of the tank. What I didn´t get, the snails ate.
That way, the amount of uneaten food left in the tank was minimized and the Corydoras were able to feed without getting their food stolen by their faster, more agressive tankmates.
I'm planning on using a similar technique now in the bigger tank.
I also don't just see them as cleaners, they are worth no less than my other fish
sorry if my english is not always great, I'm not a native speaker, but I hope you know what I mean
Also, I was looking for 2 species, one as a cleaner (doesn't have to be a catfish) and one "elegant" catfish, in case I was too inspecific
Ploypterus would be interesting too I think, but I heard, they are not great with stingrays.
Does anyone have any experiences regarding rays and Polypterus?
Oh, and a problem here in Austria is, that there are very few vendors that sell "rare" fish...
Anyone know any european (or international) sellers, who would ship to Austria?
Well, by "elegant" I mean relatively streamlined, pretty long barbles,...
for example a Wels is not really elegant in my opinion, it´s more sluggish and "fat" (doesn´t mean that I don´t like them, in fact, they are one of my favorite catfish)
Some elegant catfish would be (for me):
The mentioned P. sturio, H. nemurus, P. ornatus, Vulture cats, Leiarius pictus, maybe Sorubim lima and so on
Yes, I know that long, thin fish are the preferred prey, that´s why I asked if P. mucosus would be fine (had my doubts).
I honestly didn´t know they stay that small, thanks for that Info as well!
thebiggerthebetter:
Don´t worry, I don´t plan on letting the "bottom cleaner" live off just the scraps!
For example, in some other tanks I have had, i always had a group of Corys as "Bottom Cleaners", They picked up the uneaten food, right after the other fish were done eating. After they "cleaned that up", they got their own food in a specific spot, where I was able to siphon their leftovers out of the tank. What I didn´t get, the snails ate.
That way, the amount of uneaten food left in the tank was minimized and the Corydoras were able to feed without getting their food stolen by their faster, more agressive tankmates.
I'm planning on using a similar technique now in the bigger tank.
I also don't just see them as cleaners, they are worth no less than my other fish
sorry if my english is not always great, I'm not a native speaker, but I hope you know what I mean
Also, I was looking for 2 species, one as a cleaner (doesn't have to be a catfish) and one "elegant" catfish, in case I was too inspecific
Ploypterus would be interesting too I think, but I heard, they are not great with stingrays.
Does anyone have any experiences regarding rays and Polypterus?
Oh, and a problem here in Austria is, that there are very few vendors that sell "rare" fish...
Anyone know any european (or international) sellers, who would ship to Austria?
Bolt catfish (aguarunichthys torosus) are gorgeous elegant cats that are great eaters (mine is anyway) and max out at about a foot. Supposedly they're best kept singly. Not overly active except at feeding time.
You want streamlined with long whiskers. I would say any of the Pimelodus species would be the choice. I myself have 3 Pimelodus blochii's and I love the long whiskers.
I'll vote for:
1. Oxydoras niger!
massive eater, nice elegant looking, friendly to their tankmate, sloooooow growrate, and yes, they can be a monster too 
2. Calophysus macropterus, they are truly garbage can of my tank not choosy eater
Bunch of "garbage can" in my tank yet
1. Oxydoras niger!
massive eater, nice elegant looking, friendly to their tankmate, sloooooow growrate, and yes, they can be a monster too 2. Calophysus macropterus, they are truly garbage can of my tank
not choosy eaterBunch of "garbage can" in my tank yet
Niger slow growing? Sure you aren't mistaking it for an Irwini?I'll vote for:
1. Oxydoras niger!
2. Calophysus macropterus, they are truly garbage can of my tank
Bunch of "garbage can" in my tank yet
View attachment 1149449
IME, it took 2 years to grow from 5'' to 15" size. Dunno exactly about maximum growth rate
But if I compare it to my other catfish, I think it waaay too slow
When i had large polypterus they ate chunks out of several motoro stingrays so those might not be the best choice. Also they are the perfect shape for the gar to eat. I think Calophysus macropterus would be the perfect choice for your tank.
