Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus

[Phyllonemus]

The LFS has a group of

Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus

on stock.
These specimens are 10 - 12cm big and I have some questions about this specimen.

Is this a rare specie in the trade ?
Should they kept in a group ?
Are they compatible with Doradids ?
Is this a active specie or only nocturnal ?
Are they sexable ?

[Bijn]

Is this a rare specie in the trade ?

It's not very common. I work in a shop since one and a half year and I've encountered them only once on a list.

Should they kept in a group ?

Yes, you don't need 10 off them but they seem to like some company.

Are they compatible with Doradids ?

I don't think they will harass each other however there is a change the Doradids will damage the woodcats if they choose the same cave. Once I saw a female Crenicichla entering a cave with an Agamyxis in it, she came out damaged and died a few days later.

Is this a active specie or only nocturnal ?

I guess that after some time they will come out when you feed whith the ligts on.

Are they sexable ?

I'm not sure about that but I think they are somewhat small to be certain.

[wrasse]

rare in the trade? - fairly I would say.
in a group? - happier and show more natural behaviour.
compatible? - peaceful/ almost harmless unless you are a neon.
with dorads? - provide loads of hidey holes, probably okay but I wouldn't recommend it.
active? - very, at feeding time, but otherwise they are nocturnal.
sexable - yes, look at the first spine of the anal fin. Males are well equipped...
at 10-12cm? - probably.

see page 51 of who keeps auchenipterids

[Marc van Arc]

Is this a rare species in the trade ?
Should they kept in a group ?
Are they compatible with Doradids ?
Is this a active species or only nocturnal ?
Are they sexable ?

If you had read the data sheet, you could have answered Q's 2,4 & 5 yourself. Too bad.

They are indeed not very common and I for one should not combine them with doradids or large auchenipterids (Liosomadoras for instance) for the simple reason that they are quite vulnerable/fragile when entering or sitting in a "wrong" hiding place.
Nevertheless, excellent taste.

I take it you've seen them at Utaka?

[Phyllonemus]

Marc thanks for the answer.
I've read the datasheet already, sorry for the questions 2,4 and 5

Which other genus of catfish would you recommend as companion ?
I live nearby Utaka, that's the LFS indeed.

And of course I have good taste, I'm keeping Tanganyikan catfish and C i c h l i d s also.

[Marc van Arc]

I could name some companions, but first off: are you going to keep these in a Tanganyika set up?

[Phyllonemus]

I could name some companions, but first off: are you going to keep these in a Tanganyika set up?

Of course NOT, i have separate tanks for Tanganyika community and SA catfishes

[Marc van Arc]

Good. What is already in the SA-set up?

[Phyllonemus]

Doradids,

Amblydoras nauticus

.
But maybe there will be a separate tank for the Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus

[Marc van Arc]

Perhaps you could try them with Amblydoras, as the latter is a very docile species. I was more worried about Agamyxis or Acanthodoras wrt spines.

T. taeniatus can be combined with non agressive fishes, which should also be no food competitors. Wrt the latter you can avoid that by (extra) feeding after lights out - unless all the other fishes are catfishes as well. Nevertheless, it still leaves you a lot of fishes to choose from. I have characins and a small group of Guianacara in the tank, so there's something to be seen during the day as well.
I had one "left over" from the small tank; my 2 new specimens are from the same batch as Utaka's and they are still very elusive/shy since they came into the tank some 2 weeks ago.
I hope to welcome 2 males next Thursday, which would make it a group of 5.

[sidguppy]

Riny, how many does Utaka have at the moment?

[Phyllonemus]

Is it possible to combine with Brachyramdia species or/and Dianema, in stead of Amblydoras ?
Of course in a tank size that's suitable for this.

[Marc van Arc]

That would not be a problem imo.

[kruseman]

Is it possible to combine with Brachyramdia species or/and Dianema, in stead of Amblydoras ?
Of course in a tank size that's suitable for this.

Fwiw: I have 3 Brachyrhamdia marthae atm
If you're planning to keep this species you're welcome to take mine over, Phyllonemus.