Predatory Catfish Comm.
- Thread starter koltsixx
- Start date
Thanks a lot guys for the suggestions but I think I've decided on the fish I want for the comm.
well don't keep us waiting.
Lol! Well I've narrowed down the selection and general direction anyway. Here's what I'm considering...
-Upper and Mid Cats
Belodontichthys Dinema(thanks Aweshade9 great choice I wouldn't have thought of myself)
Phalacronotus Apogon
Schilbe Mystus
Ompok Siluroides(I was going for Bimaculatus but saw that TBTB said in a past thread in the US your more likely to get Siluroides)
Ageneiosus Marmoratus
Sorubim Lima/ Elongatus
-Lower Level
Trachelyopterus Galeatus
Liosomadoras Oncinus
Still need to narrow it down some more as I'd like to keep small groups of the ones selected. Like a small group of Schilbe or Dinema I think would make a nice display. Still gotta work it out though as there's a lot to consider like Trachycorystes Trachycorystes while not aggressive(IME) still scare the bajeezus out of most fish regardless of whether the lights are on or off. So I have to consider things like Dinema are skittish and will being kept in a group make them more confident or am I better going with Schilbe, Apogon, Marmoratus or Sorubim? Everything in this tank I want to be well planned out.
If anyone has some opinions about what I should chose from what's listed and could help me out narrow it further I'd appreciate it.
Most say that jaguar catfish hide all the time even in groups. Now that I think about it, you will probably have to talk to Wes or a importer with Indonesian contacts to get the dinema. And your welcome
I think 2 dinema and 3 mystus or 2 dinema, 1 apogon, 1 ompok would look amazing as top dwellers. I think the mid a bottom dweller are good choice, but the jaguar may seem absent.
Thanks for the suggestion, I've had Gulpers before and they are pretty cool but 240 gallons to themselves cool meh. If I did set up a gulper tank it'd probably a 75 or somewhere around there, a tank just for them.
Most say that jaguar catfish hide all the time even in groups. Now that I think about it, you will probably have to talk to Wes or a importer with Indonesian contacts to get the dinema. And your welcome
I think 2 dinema and 3 mystus or 2 dinema, 1 apogon, 1 ompok would look amazing as top dwellers. I think the mid a bottom dweller are good choice, but the jaguar may seem absent.
I've had Jags before and they do hide like most driftwoods often but once they get comfortable the ones I had would come out close to feeding times to search for food. Plus I wanted to see about breeding them as well and maybe a CB individual might be more outgoing.
As for the Dinema yeah I've looked around and they aren't imported too often. The only ones I've seen bring them in are Wes as you said, Jeff Rapps and Aquatic Treasure on Aquabid. Usually when trying to source a rare fish I search cahed pages on the internet and old threads here and find out when the last time the seller had them and what months this way I know when and who would be most likely to be able to get them.
Again thanks for the suggestions I'll definitely consider the comm's you suggested.
Hey Kolt, sorry to be silent but this is a can of worms, about some of which I know only in theory or very little, loners or in school or both - dinema, apogon, and your beloved trachies.
Even if the sizes are chosen such as to reduce the predation risks, some thin-built fish such as the 4 first Siluridae you mention and the LSN are far more "swallowable" than others... although dinema is one of the toothiest monsters. Some/many cats sometimes go for swallowing only the "swallowable" hind half or what not of their prey, digest it and spit out the dead rest.
TBH, I'd need to spend 1-2 hours to even start thinking it through. So, atm shooting from the hip, I'd say the only scenario that has a chance is if no one can swallow anyone, not even close. Still, territorial problems need to be sorted, esp. on the bottom.
Ompok bimaculatus is never or almost never exported (from southern India). So all we get is siluriodes. They are very close. No need for another catfish that looks ~ the same but is more expensive to catch and transport from afar.
No problem and thanks for the input, TBTB.
Trust me I know the comm. might present some problems that's why I'm taking my time thinking it out and asking for advice and as I said I definitely appreciate your input. I've kept Oncinus, Trachycorystes, Galeatus and Ompok. So the unknowns for me are Dinema, Sorubim, Apogon, Marmoratus and Schilbe. I had wanted to add an Apurensis but I've had experience with them and I know it's definitely a no-no.
Can I ask what territorial problems your worried about? Is it between the driftwoods? And who are you worried about preying on each other? Just want to see if our heads are in the same place.
