Pimelodus pictus tank parameters

[nvcichlids]

Hello All,

Once again I am seeking information.

Pimelodus pictus

is the species I need help with. Could they be maintained in a 48"x12" tank? I was thinking a group of 5 ( and the others I have in a 125 gallon still haven't reached 4" after 2-3 years) So I was wondering if that tank would be adequate to house a small school? Other tank inhabitants would be Gymnogeophagus sp El Norte (young adults) and my group of L201's, oh yeah, and that butt of a male bristlenose who doesn't like other bristlenose (but was fine with baby L201's)

Thanks,

NV

[MatsP]

Yes, I'd say that's OK.

--
Mats

[Birger]

Could they be maintained in a 48"x12" tank?

I think they could but this would be minimum in my opinion as they are so active.

and the others I have in a 125 gallon still haven't reached 4" after 2-3 years)

Now I do not want to seem mean either(do not take this as an attack)and I understand trying the whole balance things out idea "but" do you think this may have something to do with your statement below from another thread, I would think they should get to 4 inch no problem.

Not to sound mean or anything, But I NEVER do water changes on my tanks. My levels are perfect for everything and never run into problems. I know the only thing I do is re-fill when water evaporates. I think if you can accurately set up biotopes, then waterchanges are not nessecary.

Birger

[Richard B]

A 48x12 is a nice size for a shoal but i'd go with about 8 & use 2 powerheads to create a strong flow, one pointing left at the surface at the back of the tank & the other pointing right , low down at the front of the tank.

[nvcichlids]

thanks guys for the help thus far,

Birger, every other species of fish in the tank have reached their expected length (if not a bit larger.) I was under the impression that maybe I got a deformed batch (inbred?) and that caused them to be smaller. I do thank you for bringing that up though, as I know that you are supposed to do water changes (heck, I preach that to others as well, it just so happens that the balance in my tanks has never been off ( the 125 gallon tank has been set up for 4 years now and I have yet to lose a fish that wasn't supposed to be lost (convict cichs were used as feeders)).

[MatsP]

They are very unlikely to be inbred, as I'm pretty sure that the fish are wild-caught - no one really knows how/when/where these fish reproduce.

--
Mats

[nvcichlids]

hmmm, well that puts a kink in my theory. Like I said, every other fish is extremely healthy ( and so are the pims) but the pims are just smaller.

So a summary thus far, Tank should be good, Birger says that it is minimal due to their activity, but Richard suggests getting 8.

Would there be another similar species that would be out and active that would work better?

[Birger]

So a summary thus far, Tank should be good, Birger says that it is minimal due to their activity, but Richard suggests getting 8.

I just suggested minimal to not cramp their style 7 or 8 in this tank would look great as they have some length when they get cruising around and that is when they look their best. A shorter tank and you would not see them cruising back and forth, it would look more like milling about if that makes sense to you.

Birger

[nvcichlids]

Cool, I found a group of 10 that are 2" tl at the most, adoreable little things, eating well and cruising the 20 gal L they are in. I may have to go pick them all up when I have time. They shouldn't cause problems with the Gymnogeophagus sp El Norte (they are very avid and active eaters as well) should they?

Thanks for your help guys (and gals?)

[Richard B]

hmmm, well that puts a kink in my theory. Like I said, every other fish is extremely healthy ( and so are the pims) but the pims are just smaller.

I may be wrong but aren't there a couple of variants of p.pictus? A smaller one from peru & another from colombia (as suggested by adolf schwartz & heiko bleher amongst others)

[nvcichlids]

hmmm, well that puts a kink in my theory. Like I said, every other fish is extremely healthy ( and so are the pims) but the pims are just smaller.

I may be wrong but aren't there a couple of variants of p.pictus? A smaller one from peru & another from colombia (as suggested by adolf schwartz & heiko bleher amongst others)

Based on the pictures of the two labeled, I would say mine look more peruvian than colombian.