Looking for large community friendly cat... Suggestions?

[DMD123]

So Im looking for a large community friendly cat, any suggestions?

Tank is a 300 gallon 96 x 24 footprint. A tall show tank. Filtration is 3 FX6's.

Occupants are currently peaceful community with
14"+ pearsei
9.5" Heterspila
18.5"+ Polypterus endlicheri (WC-this one can be aggressive toward other polys)
17" Polypterus Ansorgii
16" Polypterus sp. Faranah lap.
16" Polypterus Weeksii

I really like Giraffe cats and tried a Volta a few years back. It was a tank destroyer and rescaped it real well. I did rehome that one. I did the Volta catch location due to the thought it is a smaller variant, never kept it long enough to find out if that was true.

I do like the thought of a large synodontis like a red tail squeaker (clarias) or maybe a hemi synodontis membranacra (mustache cat).

Anyway, any suggestions from you cat experts?

 

[DMD123]

Forgot to add, I had a hopplo cat for the longest time. Loved that cat but rehomed because I was going with large lower jaw bichirs. So my taste in cats is more the small mouth, sand sifting types. But something large enough to hold its own to a bichir.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Does it matter if it's a hider or not?

Active or not? Or how active?

Non-small-mouth and non-sifter ok?

There are big hoplos, up to 10"-12". I had one.

 

[DMD123]

Does it matter if it's a hider or not?

Active or not? Or how active?

Non-small-mouth and non-sifter ok?

There are big hoplos, up to 10"-12". I had one.

I guess preference would be active, non hider. Small mouth preferable but not a 100% issue since all fish are fairly large.

I know J jaws7777 has his vulture cat and jaguar cat with the polys and they do fine but was looking for something a little different...

My Hopplo had maxed at about 6" and I felt it was just too little to be with the big lower jaw polys

 

[Jexnell]

I will say take a look at p. Ornatus. Max out around 12in mark, small mouth, sorta active, beautiful markings

 

[Ozip]

I will say take a look at p. Ornatus. Max out around 12in mark, small mouth, sorta active, beautiful markings View attachment 1320600

I agree I have kept these before. They will hang near bottom and silver coloring looks great.

 

[Jexnell]

Ok I will say the p. Ornatus is a predator catfish and will eat things that fit in its mouth, but that is most fish right. Just no Tetras lol

 

[kno4te]

I will say take a look at p. Ornatus. Max out around 12in mark, small mouth, sorta active, beautiful markings View attachment 1320600

These are a good option if it comes in large. The larger lower jaws will make a meal of them as they are brought in 4-6inches. Even large ornates have a narrow face and may get swallowed by the large endli. It’s a slow grower as well. If needed will have to grow them out.

May need to consider bolt, vulture and ageneiosus sp.

 

[monkeybike]

Pteradoras Granulosus, I have an 18" one in with black neons.

 

[DMD123]

Ok I will say the p. Ornatus is a predator catfish and will eat things that fit in its mouth, but that is most fish right. Just no Tetras lol

With an 18.5” endli I dont even try any small fish.

These are a good option if it comes in large. The larger lower jaws will make a meal of them as they are brought in 4-6inches. Even large ornates have a narrow face and may get swallowed by the large endli. It’s a slow grower as well. If needed will have to grow them out.

May need to consider bolt, vulture and ageneiosus sp.

I do have a 65B to be able to grow out to a certain degree but cant really do it too long term with a small, slow grower. Good reminders too about the lower jaws... they can eat surprisingly large things.