Stocking advise

[Brittanirdh]

So, I have my 70 gallon with 2 EBJD babies, 1 veiled angle, 10 long fin danios and 2 nerite snails. My husband wanted a pictus to complete the tank. When I purchased the pictus the LFS talked me into a group of 3, and against my better judgement, they convinced me this would be fine for my set up. I have had the 3 in quarantine for a week, and had planned on longer to make sure no issue before adding to my main tank with the EBJD. My quarantine tank houses a single betta to keep it cycled. I explained all this at the LFS before purchasing, and they assured me should be fine. All this to say, when I woke up this morning the betta has been picked apart and has very little of his beautiful fins left. I am heart broken and have moved him by himself to heal.
So, my question is:
If they picked apart the betta, will they not pick apart the baby EBJD? The EBJD are only slightly larger than the betta. Also, do you really have to have pictus in groups of 3 or more. I've read several people that have just one and it does just fine. They do not appear to school together and seem annoyed with each other.
Should I Return all, none or some?

 

[Stepnik]

IME Pictus have only attacked in self defense (against a Texas Cichlid), and it is more of a quick turn away allowing its fins to cut the other fish as it runs.
Could your Betta have been aggressive towards them? I do the same thing you do in regards to having a constantly cycled quarantine tank, except with Fancy Guppies, but I have the Pictus in there with them and they never fight.

I heard that JD's can be aggressive, not sure about the EBJDs, but if it tries to pick a fight, you might have a similar problem. It's a toss up IMO. If you do decide to go in that direction, I would do it at a time when you can watch closely and intervene if necessary.

I could be 100% wrong about all of this and you may have some homicidal Pictus on your hands lol. All the more reason to keep a close watch.

Side note, I hate returning fish, so I support the introduction.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

Although I haven't seen or heard of Pictus being aggressive, EBJD are often timid and stress easily. It's already hard to get them past the juvenile stage and keep them alive. I would only keep them with very placid calm tank mates until they are out of their vulnerable stage.

 

[Brittanirdh]

Thanks guys! I hate returning fish too! But, these guys are not acting like the fish that were described to me "peaceful schooling cats". They don't school together and fight amongst themselves. The betta and the cats were together a week before this happened and it happened during the night when the cats are most active. I don't think the betta went picking a fight during the middle of the night. I think the cats tried to eat him.

 

[Brittanirdh]

I'm thinking of returning all or maybe try keeping just the smallest of the 3. Maybe more timid on its own? Keep the advise coming!!!!

 

[Frank Castle]

I agree it's probably just the Betta getting in the way of the sharp, barb-studded fins on the Pimelodus....I have a Spotted Pim at 5"+ and he's not the least bit aggressive, just hungry. As far as schooling, I recommend keeping a lot fo catfish in groups, however this is not one that I have noticed to be affected in one way or another by tankmates of the same species, and 3 is not considered a school anyway, 6 or more is generally accepted as a school.

I also agree w/ the post about the EBJDs needing to reah a certain size and age before they stop being fragile, ....EBJDs SUCK as juveniles. Also, don't use a net to move the Pictus either....like Raphaels and Plecos, they have a horrible tendency to tangle in the net and the barbs make it very difficult to get them out and very stressful on the fish. Try trapping them between the corner and a large plastic container......I find a small colander works wonders when moving spiny cats around, purchase one from the dollar store and it will make life easier.

 

[flukekiller]

I agree with the above.... but I will say call it a lesson learned... most of us if not all of us at one time have listened to pet shop people.. do your own research.. do not rely on them to tell you what works.. most of them are clueless when it comes to compatibility...I've heard stories about rtc being fine in a 20 gal community tank..lol... this is by far not meant to flame the OP...just putting some info out there.

 

[Brittanirdh]

So I have been reading a lot today. The cats "fighting" isn't really hurting each other at all, just establishing a pecking order in a new environment. And, you all are probably right about betta just getting fins cut by cat fins, as they are very active. I think, I have decided since the betta has been moved to my "emergency" 5 gallon alone to heal, I will just keep going with the planned (maybe even extended) quarantine of the cats and move to main tank at a later date. Give the EBJD a little more time to grow a bit. They are growing pretty quickly compared to what I've heard people saying about their slow growth. Thanks for all the advise!!!