Auchenipterichthys coracoideus keeping and possibly breeding

[Shaun]

I just purchased 3 of these interesting cats, and was curious about a few details of their captive husbandary. I've already read through the info in the cat-e-log.
Would a 90-120 ltr tank be large enough for general maintenance and possibly a breeding project? The fish are about 10cm. Do they require a current or prefer "still" water? It will be heavily oxygenated either way.
Finally, does anybody have any tips on how to go about attempting to spawn them? There is 1 male and 2 females. They are quite a rare cat in Oz, and I understand spawning them would be quite an acheivement...
Thanks in advance
Shaun

[Marc van Arc]

Shaun,
Did you read the CotM article (July 2001) as well? It sits somewhat hidden in the Cat-eLog data sheet.
Your tank size is okay for both purposes. Three specimen is not much, but perhaps it's all your can get. It might work, why not?
They don't need a current, but they really don't mind if there is one. They do need hiding places and open swimming space. Being insect eaters in the wild, you might trigger them to spawn with mosquito larvae (black, white & red). For the rest they'll eat almost anything so you can give them a divers menu. They are huge eaters. Water quality should be okay of course, but these fish aren't really fussy about it. PH about 6.5 or below and regular water changes.
Good luck.

[Shaun]

Thanks for that, very helpful I've decided to house them in a 165ltr tank as soon as my Bagrichthys macracanthus goes into his big tank (bout 250ltrs). This tank has lots of driftwood, java fern, java moss and some water sprite. Tankmates will be some Corydoras and Diamond tetras. Maybe an Ancistrus plec to eat the invisible algae

Three specimen is not much, but perhaps it's all your can get.

Yes, I don't know of any others for sale. I've only seen them 3 or 4 times in the past. If any more become available I'll probably snap them up because they're a fantastic cat Breeding will not be the ultimate goal, keeping them happy is, but it would be nice to try.
Thanks again,
Shaun