Discussion about Hemibagrus wyckii's compatibility

[wslqdcn]

One question for experienced crystal eye catfish keepers:

Dozens on-line sources claim that this fish is one of the most "belicose" cat in aquarium, and can only be kept alone. However, I did spot one adult (over 50 centimeters) sharing a 7-feet tank with some large cichlids, an Asian arowana and a giant gourami.

Does anybody have more successful stories to share (what are the tanks mates, the size of the tank)?

In my own 6-feet tank (600 litters), I have a baby Wickii with a sub-adult giant gourami, a pair of adult two oscars and a common pleco. I really wish to see them all enjoy a peaceful long life (I'm willing to double the size of tank in the future).

Songlin from Beijing, China

[Chrysichthys]

I certainly wouldn't count on it working. Things might be okay for awhile, but as the fish grows it will become more and more aggressive.

[Richard B]

When i was in the trade we had a 9" one in a 6x2x2 foot tank with large clarias, tinfoils, plecs, a clarotes laticeps, oscars & large syno schall - no problems. One day the lil bugger bit me though & it hurt a fair bit.
After it had been sold for a while the owner came in to say that it had killed a couple of tankmates, considerably larger than itself When one of it's former buddies, a big plec was sold, upon removal from the tank we could see a bite mark that had healed - obviously from the wykii.

Lynwood fish house in Surrey, many years ago, had a big one in a big tank (8 foot?). When they needed to get into the tank (cleaning, re-connect filter pipes etc) it was a 2 man job - one to do the job & another to ward off the cat with a pair of aquarium tongs as he would always go for the "intruder"

What i'm trying to say is that aggression increases with age/size. Also it is possible to create harmony between a wykii & other fish, but how long for is another question.......i think you've always got to be aware of what might happen.....

[wslqdcn]

Hi Both,

Thank you so much for your reply with solid cases.

I will be prepared for what will happen and will seriously consider having a tank for this little demon only.

It is only less than 18 centimeters (7") now. Will share its photos with you when it grows larger.

Songlin

[arapaimag]

Hello,

I've had 4 wyckii's and believe I still might have 3.

The first one (male) could never be kept with any other fish. He grew big very fast and lived out his life in a 180 by himself.
The 2nd was bought at the same time and a lot slower growing and not as nasty. I could keep Plecos in with it and had it first in a 90 then a 180. When my largest tank (www.monsterfishkeepers.com go to article section look for 50,000 gallon tank) was built I put it in it and never had a problem with other fish. I found it hid in caves among the rocks (I have 28,000 lbs of lava rock alone in the tank.). Because it was reclusive I would go months and sometimes years without seeing it. I have not seen it for a couple of years. My 3rd is in my second biggest tank (www.monsterfishkeepers.com go to article section and look for 15,000 gallon tank ) and not vicious at all ( It's about 22" long tl). My 4th is about 14" long and very nasty. I had a 16" boulangerchromis microleptis in with it for 2 years and one day it beat him up (did not kill him). The 4th is in a 180 by himself now.

[fischkringli]

Some people say Hemibagrus wykii is in the adult stadium the most agressive catfish in the world. But I think it is a qúestion of the caracter. Everybody is individual and some are living longtime with their fish mates and nothing happens, and suddenly somebody is dead by attacked of him.