Royal knife cohab w/ small catfish

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I've been growing out Pimelodus pictus (aka falsely Angelicus cats). They're around 3.5''-4''.

My royal is about 1ft.

I've heard that pictus cats are good at spreading fins and thus avoiding getting eaten. And my royal is a tame pellet eater.

Your thoughts?

 

[celebrist]

does he have any other tankmates?

 

[HarleyK]

does he have any other tankmates?

Totally forgot, thanks for the Q:
The knife is in a 220 gal, with angelfish, African pikes, and a 1ft dat (which will likely move on elsewhere, so let's consider with and without). The pikes are close to the surface, thus, I'm not too worried. The dat... Curious guy.
And some spotted Raphael cats.

 

[celebrist]

Hmm, you might want a bigger cat like a four line but anything is possible

 

[Hendre]

It could work, the pictus may be very skittish in that tank but they should be ok to not get eaten with their spines and speed.

 

[benzjamin13]

If the Royal does catch one of them, it can become a choking hazard and you'd lose both fish. I think it can work with keeping sure it's well fed. I know Pictus Cats are pretty active during the day, but not sure how active they are at night when the RCK would be more active.

 

[Steven Williams]

I wouldn't risk it imo its not worth the loss of such a cool fish for pictus but then again I don't like pictus any ways but that's just me

 

[HarleyK]

Update: I added two just to try it out, and they have been doing well, even while I was out of town for a week(i.e. Tank didn't get fed).
I'll add the remaining cats soon.