Pseudacanthicus setup? Advice please :)

[Mol_PMB]

I regularly visit Rare Aquatics and have fallen in love with the big Pseudacanthicus species (e.g. L24, L25, L600).

So far my fishkeeping hobby has been focused on smaller fish in mixed or biotope communities (I currently have about 150 fish in 6 tanks, many tetras, cories, dwarf cichlids and my biggest fish are medium-sized plecs like L128, L244 and Farlowellas). I have very soft water suited to South American fish.

I would like to set up a new tank for one (maybe a pair?) of Pseudacanthicus. I appreciate it will need to be big, and with excellent filtration.

I would welcome advice on the tank size and decor. What is the natural environment for these fish? Rocks? Flow? Plants?

Are there any suitable tank-mates appropriate for a biotope and compatible?

Is breeding them a realistic proposition?

Thanks in advance,
Paul M-B

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[Linus_Cello]

L600 have been bred. Do a search for "pseudasmart" or Jim Kitchen on this forum. I think he uses large tubs/troughs with lots of driftwood. Probably could use the same technique for L25 or 24.

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks - I'll do some more searching

Are there any references describing the natural habitat of these fish?


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[DutchFry]

most Pseuda's live in the main bodies of large amazonian rivers like Rio Xingu.

sometimes these rivers are 40 feet deep or even more. little light reaches the bottom, so no plants are found there. Large boulders, smaller rocks and fast flowing water. the occasional dead log/wood tangle. thats about it i think.

the absence of sunlight at the bottom of these rivers is the main reason for their striking colors by the way!

good luck and make sure to share pictures once ur tank is done!

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks


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[Mol_PMB]

I have acquired a 450 litre tank, 48" x 24" x 26". I'm hoping this is big enough for one Pseudacanthicus, but I guess it's not big enough for a pair? Any thoughts?

LDA105 has caught my eye online but I've not seen any for sale. How do these compare in adult size to L24 and L25?


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[Richard B]

LDA105 has caught my eye online but I've not seen any for sale.

I think i've seen these at Pier sometime in the past

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks Richard - I'll ask them


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[Mol_PMB]

I'm reviving this thread as I have finally made some progress on this project.

I have purchased a 4'x2'x2' tank (approx 450 litres) with a pair of large external canister filters. I have also acquired an HMA unit to provide a constant drip-feed water change for it. I've got three huge bits of bogwood which barely fit in the tank, plus some big slate blocks and slabs to make a couple of caves. I'm hoping to get this all set up and cycling very soon.

In the mean time I fell in love with a young 6" L024

Pseudacanthicus sp.(l024)

at Pier Aquatics, and she (we think a female but I may be wrong) is now temporarily in a well-filtered 165L tank while I get the main tank set up (see pics).

So, now I'm starting to think about what else could go in the tank, and I would welcome some advice. I already have two shoals in other tanks which I was wondering whether to move in with the L024:

1) A group of 5 Biotodoma cupido
2) A group of 5

Brochis splendens

The cichlids swim at all levels of the tank but tend to feed and rest near the bottom. The Brochis are of course bottom-dwellers. Am I asking for trouble putting these in with the L024, or are they sufficiently smaller/different that they will get on?

If these species aren't suitable companions for the L024, have you any suggestions what would go well with her?

Many thanks,

Paul

[Barbie]

They would probably both be fine with her. You'll find she's no frail flower at feeding time!

Barbie

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks Barbie
She's certainly a hungry fish!

Do these L024

Pseudacanthicus sp.(l024)

have any preference on substrate?
I usually use sand or very fine 1-2mm rounded gravel and was planning to do the same in the new tank, which would suit the Brochis.
But I noticed that in her holding tank, my L024 has 'landscaped' the substrate to provide a bare-bottomed lair that she tends to rest in, surrounded by a large embankment (this is all under a big piece of bogwood). I don't like bare-bottomed tanks but perhaps she would like an area with flat stones or roofing slates as a substrate?

I also noticed that when I put food in the tank, the water currents carry it straight into her lair. This wasn't the case before her 'landscaping' exercise as the embankment she made has changed the water flow. I wonder if this is coincidence or if this is a behaviour they use in the wild?

[Barbie]

Probably a bit of both. They swish around to make their chosen place comfortable, and that can work to their advantage. I personally also prefer coarse sand. I don't think she would object to rockwork, but probably would enjoy exactly the same sort of conditions that allow her to customize her environment, like she has in QT.

Barbie