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FAQs on Catfish Selection
Related Articles: Catfishes,
Sucker mouth Cats/Loricariids,
Otocinclus, Callichthyids,
Ictalurid Catfishes, Mochokids/Synodontis,
Candirus (Trichomycterids, Cetopsids),
Marine Catfishes: Plotosids,
Ariids,
Related Catfish FAQs: General,
Identification,
Behavior,
Compatibility,
Systems,
Feeding,
Disease,
Reproduction,
Do you know how large, how quickly... the scientific
name/s of...?
Cetopsis coecutiens,
(Lichtenstein 1819), Whale Catfish.
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Catfish Selection 2/28/07
Hello WWM,
<<Hello, Joe. Tom here.>>
We currently have a 20 gallon aquarium with a Tetra Whisper Power Filter 20, 4
inch bubble wand, and heater. The system has been going for about 8 weeks and
currently the pH reads 6.8, hardness 120 ppm, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrates
at 0 to 10 ppm after a 20% water change (done weekly), with temperature at 78
degrees.
<<I like the sounds of it, Joe.>>
There is currently some rusty/brownish algae growing on the plants which I am
guessing is caused by the use of the fluorescent light for about 5-6 hours per
day.
<<Diatoms ("brown algae"). Very common in new tanks and will dissipate/disappear
on its own. Nothing to worry about but rather unsightly.>>
We currently have 1 female Red Wag Platy, 1 female HiFin Platy, 2 Female
Sunburst Mickey Mouse Platies, and 1 male Calico Platy and a varying population
of babies (currently about 5) and all seem healthy and happy. The water is
treated with dechlorinator and 1 Tbs/5 gallons of conditioning salt is added to
the water. No salt is added when replacing evaporated water.
<<A Platy fan, eh? Good for you. Very colorful and nice fish.>>
My question is this. My kids would like to add some more fish. I have told them
we have room for 5 more perhaps 7 fish. I figured this would be a good
population for this system. We would like to add 2 more platies (we figure the
more platies the better) and perhaps 3 catfish. What type of catfish would you
recommend? Reading your site it seems Cory catfish and Otos are out because of
the salt or is this salt level tolerable?
<<Joe, you can reduce the salt level just a bit and the Corys would be fine. One
Tbsp./five gallons of water is tolerable for just about any fish but cutting
back just a bit wouldn't hurt. Maybe about 3/4 Tbsp./five gallons.>>
Plecos sound like they would get too large for this tank size and I know the
Chinese Algae Eater has no place in this tank.
<<Common Plecos would, indeed, get too large for this tank as would most
varieties. There are some very nice Plecos that remain smaller but I think the
Corys would be a better "fit" here, Joe.>>
So any advice on "bottom dwellers" would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Joe
<<Keep up the good work, Joe, and I hope you all enjoy your new additions. Tom>>
Shovelnose catfish
Is there a shovelnose catfish that stays under 12 inches in length?
<Mmm, Sorubim lima...>
Or do they are all get over the 2 feet mark? I worked in a pet store for years
and the only shovelnose I have ever encountered back then, were the striped
shovelnose that got over 2 feet in length. We used to warn customers ahead of
time before they purchased any fish that would get fairly large. Anyway, I have
been out of the aquarium circuit for a few years now and I was doing research to
keep myself updated. However, each aquarium books seems to have their own set of
rules to follow. One book stated that the striped shovelnose catfish only
reaches 8 inches in length.
<We know this is incorrect...>
That is why I am asking this question because I think the book is wrong. And
this is also the same book which stated Clown Knife fish would only really a
maximum length of 19 inches in captivity, but in the wild they grow to 4 feet. I
have seen plenty of 30 inch clown knife fish pass through the pet store!!!! Let
me know if there is a shovelnose cat that stays under 12 inches, thanks!!!
Shannon
<Plug the above name into fishbase.org or search the entire family of
Pimelodidae... or see some on our site here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/pimelodids.htm Bob Fenner>
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