Hi, I am a noob at cats

[maximus]

Hi, I am abhishek from India. Basically a lover of South American cichlids preferably eartheaters and angels. But a noob or zero at cats. So I am here to learn from all of you experts. Basically directed to this site by a friend of mine named Balaji (Shovelnose).

So, presently have got a 4 ft x 28 in (H) x 18 in (W) tank with wild caught Peruvian altums. Looking for a compatible cat fish species. Now I know most people will advise to go for L series or Coys but I really want to try out the other cats from South America. Preferably not a monster one. So please do guide a newbie like me.

[MatsP]

Welcome to Planet Catfish, Abishek.

--
Mats

[Jools]

I know absolutely no idea what is available in India but like the sound of going for some cool "old skool" SA cats. Maybe reckon

Microglanis

or

Amblydoras

might be available?

Maybe you could start post what cats you see on your visits to local stores? That alone would be interesting to other folks who I am sure would then chip in with advice.

Cheers,

Jools

[maximus]

Thanks Mats and Jools.. Well market in India is not that great . Would ask Balaji (Shovelnose) to peep into the topic to list the commonly available ones..

In the mean time let me check out the ones mentioned by Jools..

[Shovelnose]

Welcome to PC Abhishek.

I know absolutely no idea what is available in India but like the sound of going for some cool "old skool" SA cats. Maybe reckon

Microglanis

or

Amblydoras

might be available?


Cheers,

Jools

The only Doradids I have seen here are Platydoras armatulus (with no contaminants ) and the odd Agamyxis pectinifrons.
An LFS did have a small bunch of Microglanis iheringi(???) but that was over 8 months ago. I don't think we will see 'em again sometime soon.

There is a good chance that the Agamyxis pectinifrons will reappear soon. Are they any good for his tank??? I have never kept Platydoras with non-catfish so I have no clue how they behave with Angels.

[Jools]

Sorry, when I said

Amblydoras

I meant what we refer to often as

Platydoras armatulus

. Anyway, some folks say that these guys can be active at night and bother sleeping angels. But I've never had that problem keeping them with discus or angels. They key, I think, is that they eat well.

Biotope hell, but a good common catfish for the Angel tank is actually

Kryptopterus minor

.

Jools

[Richard B]

Welcome to PC - i feel you are in 'safe' hands here!!!

[Shovelnose]

Kryptopterus minor is not too hard to find. Only I believe maximus is looking for a South American cat.

Platydoras armatulus is easy to find too. We see 2" specimens a lot in a few LFS.

A very adaptive spcies that will eat anything and can tolerate a lotta water conditions from my experience.

[maximus]

Well thanks guys for really helping a newbie like me.

Well really found Platydoras Armatulus interesting and more suited to my SA tanks. If available would like to go on with them. However, need to know their compatibility with my scalares.Also would love to hear more about Agamyxis pectinifrons as shovelnose claims that we may see it any time sooner.

However, would only like to have a small constraint- Only SA cats will be great..

[Shovelnose]

Looks like he got 3 Agamyxis and 2 Platydoras.

[maximus]

Well its all your help Shovelnose. I am so grateful that I found this community and these fishes. Got 3 Agamyxis and 2 Platydoras . Wanted to get more agamyxis but they are so costly.

Now they are all co existing in the same tank .Any problem do you all foresee..

I am all in love with these cats now. I think I should have ventured into SA cats a long before .But better late than never. Will post pics once I borrow my friend's cam. In the mean time my eyes are upon Microglanis and any other small cats that you can suggest. Thinking will go for a tank only for them!! Too much for a hardcore cichlid lover like me...