Tandanus Catfish with a Jack Dempsey! Is it possible?

[Zukobongolo]

Hey guys, I have recently purchased a tandanus catfish for my 50 gallon tank and I have been interested in a Jack Dempsey, would the cichlid be too aggresive for the catfish or would it be possible if they could get along. Please help, I'd love to hear what you guys think! Thanks

 

[duanes]

They look quite similar to the kind of Cenote catfish (Rhamdia) that live with JDs in nature.
The only problem will be, the Tanadus reach 20" and will soon outgrow a 50 gal tank.
You can see the Cenote catfish 20 seconds into the video below
Eden2

 

[Bertie07]

It should work until the tandus catfish gets to big but in my experience jack Dempseys can be unpredictable and one of mine killed 3 silver dollars over night. There are always exceptions to the rule, you just have to try and see what works

 

[Giant Val]

I have only ever kept small tandanus and similar tandans. But i've seen larger ones kept with aggressive species such as barramundi, mangrove jacks, sooty grunter and sleepy cod. They seem to go well together, but in much bigger tank than yours.

 

[Jeremy Anderson]

I would be more worried about the catfish swallowing the JD when it grows up. You are going to need a much bigger tank.

 

[Zukobongolo]

I have only ever kept small tandanus and similar tandans. But i've seen larger ones kept with aggressive species such as barramundi, mangrove jacks, sooty grunter and sleepy cod. They seem to go well together, but in much bigger tank than yours.

The tank is definetely not permenant, I will be getting a much bigger tank.

 

[Zukobongolo]

I would be more worried about the catfish swallowing the JD when it grows up. You are going to need a much bigger tank.

I am getting a much bigger tank, he's still really little right now so I still have a little time.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Tandanus are a tough fish. I reckon they will be o.k together as long as the catfish has a,cave or something to hide out in if needed. I kept one with GTs and lion heads years ago, he was a rescue fish from a,friend who was,keeping,him in a metal biscuit tin on top of a radiator! I was shocked when I saw a live fish,swimming in 4cms of rusty stinking water so,took him off his hands. I didn't think he would survive as he was so skinny and mistreated. After a week in clean water he perked up and,I put him in the main tank, never grew,to a large size but didn't bother the cichlids and they didn't bother him.