Pictus Catfish

[DKlar42]

I recently bought a pictus catfish from my LFS and he seemed to be fine at first until the next day where are he would do was sit in the front left corner and stay still. There are so many places for him to hide and I recently added another PVC pipe for him to hide in and he looks at it but doesn't want to use it. After awhile he just returns to his corner.
Tank Mates:
Silver Gar
4 Tiger Barbs
2 Cory Catfish
A Bunch of Feeder Fish

I've heard that he's only like this when he feels unsafe or something but he's never been poked at by the barbs (the barbs are scared of him then he is scared of them).

I really hope I can get some help because I feel bad for him and I don't like seeing him sit in a corner all day.

 

[moe214]

The barbs may be picking on him at night. They did it to my first jaguar catfish, they actually began eating him alive. Picture cats like their own kind so he can be feeling lonely. Should atleast two more

 

[DKlar42]

The barbs may be picking on him at night. They did it to my first jaguar catfish, they actually began eating him alive. Picture cats like their own kind so he can be feeling lonely. Should atleast two more

That doesn't make sense to me though because the tiger barbs are asleep by the time I turn off the light and I get in bed. They are scared of the pictus more than anything really. If it does come to stress, I may take him to a friend that owns a fish store because I rather him not suffer.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

That's a strange case. If the pictus was stressed by any tank mates or by bright light, it'd be seeking the protection of a hide.

If we are talking second day since you brought it, that could simply be an adjustment period, even thought I'd expect it to hide, again.

Otherwise, I'd check my water parameters. Or insufficient oxygen may be stressing it out.

 

[DKlar42]

That's a strange case. If the pictus was stressed by any tank mates or by bright light, it'd be seeking the protection of a hide.

If we are talking second day since you brought it, that could simply be an adjustment period, even thought I'd expect it to hide, again.

Otherwise, I'd check my water parameters. Or insufficient oxygen may be stressing it out.

Theres quite enough oxygen. Water parameters are fine and normal. He's a pretty new addition but like you said, I think he'd be wanting to hide.

 

[moe214]

That doesn't make sense to me though because the tiger barbs are asleep by the time I turn off the light and I get in bed. They are scared of the pictus more than anything really. If it does come to stress, I may take him to a friend that owns a fish store because I rather him not suffer.

They won't sleep all night. I've noticed that with all my fish that are diurnal. And behavior with the lights off can be different. As pointed out by TBTB it may just be settling in still

 

[DKlar42]

They won't sleep all night. I've noticed that with all my fish that are diurnal. And behavior with the lights off can be different. As pointed out by TBTB it may just be settling in still

Alright! Thank you!