What Cat could fit?

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Madou

Madou

Polypterus
MFK Member
Nov 22, 2013
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Belgique
Hello!

I had a few questions, regarding my actual tank, and the next.

Background of tank 1:
180 g (700 L), pretty planted, with a couple Channa Aurantimaculata.
Temps: Sub-Tropical (15°C (59°F) in winter, 24°C (75°F) in summer)
Dimensions: 200 x 70 x 50 cm (6.56' x 2.29' x 1.64')

Background of tank 2:
Not built yet, waiting on room to clear. >.>
528 g (2000 L), population yet unknown, possibly a couple rays and monsters.
Temps: To be defined depending on population.
Dimensions: 200 x 200 x 50 cm (6.56' x 6.56' x 1.64'): A big, amazing square.

My question is, what is the biggest (best looking is subjective, but let's say if I could make it 1000 gallons, I'd get a RTC), coolest Cat I can fit in either?

I was thinking a tig would fit in the 180 g, but they really are unaffordable... (Though, at the end of the year, they will be pretty affordable...) And I am honestly not sure it would do well in sub-trop temps...
I could get a few Chaca (C. Bankanensis or Chaca Chaca), but I'm afraid both for the Chaca during the day and the Aurantis during the night (Actually scratch that, sup-trop is a no go).

So basically, what would fit in tank 1 and would do OK with the sub trop temps? And what monster can I get in tank 2 that would not need to be alone? (Tank 2 Cat does not need to be the absolute biggest Cat the tank can hold, but something that you'd clearly not even try in a 200 g would be amazing)

Thank you :D

Edit: I absolutely love the shape of Tigs and Pseudoplastysomas.
 
180 gal subtropical could house smaller temperate / subtropical catfish that do not exceed ~1'. Bullheads, tawny dragons come to mind.

530 gal can take in a tig or jur or a pair of both (it'd be tight, I personally would not do it but it could be done) but it appears to be always a gamble with the Brachyplatystomas - they may or may not fight too much. It'd need to be cats that don't exceed ~2'. A school of 5-6 vulture catfishes would entertain you to no end. Lince needs more space to swim around. I'd not put TSN in a 530 gal for life.

A lazy not-much-of-a-swimmer like Cephalosilurus may be housed.

As a grow out for any of the above, 530 gal is good but you need a solid plan to upgrade whilst 530 gal is still on paper too.
 
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Thank you for that pretty thorough reply!

I do love the Cephalosilurus, they look just like what I'd love to get, though, it looks like it could gulp my auranti "by mistake". perhaps the smallest ones might work! If it is lazy, a 30 cm one could work in the 180. I think my best bet remains with the Tig and jur, they look the best, and are probably the easiest to find here. (Though, expensive Tigs are much easier to find than much cheaper Jurs...)

I will not be upgrading the 530, I'll already have to make sure the house can actually accept such a weight. xD
 
I was suggesting Cephalosilurus for the hypothetical 530 gal, they will not live in your sub-tropical 180 gal - too cold in the winter. They will not stay at 30 cm but reach at least 2' and more. Their personality is fun, smart too.

Anything that remotely fits in their mouth will be eaten by that ambush predator. Similarly for tigs and jurs whose mouths are just smaller.
 
Ohhh, now that's even better news. :D
Perhaps I'll finally try my hand at Ray bigger than Reticulatas, and try one of these, though, I'll have to consider the cost of such huge appetites...

I'm seriously not sure what I want in that tank, but I know I want a Cat at the bottom :)

Thanks for your input and advices, and if the house can take it and I build my tank early 2016, I will definitely post pictures of whatever cat I chose and share here. :)

(Wish everyone bought their final tank before buying the fishes that'll outgrow their actual ;) )
 
Anything in the Common plecos genus could live there and same with the ancistrus plecos.
 
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