Well, I asked the employee at petsmart if it would be ok to have one alone, and she said yes. I am planning on getting 2-3 more though.

There are a couple of spots for him to hide, we also are going to get more plants soon. So are you just saying that it's a defensive mechinism?

I just bought an Eclipse catfish from petsmart two days ago( well replaced that and my pleco that somehow died) and I have noticed that he tends to lay on the bottom of the tank sort of on his side and just sit there. I was wondering if this was normal behavoir for them? I will have some pictures ...