Catfish compatibility with central american cichlids

[sanmayb]

Hi everyone,
I am new to planet catfish, and new to catfishes in general. I would like to take the opportunity to ask the experts here a question.
What kind of catfish can I keep that will be compatible with central american cichlids in a 75 gallon (300 litre) tank? The tank is 120 cm long, and has ample hiding places, including driftwood. pH is maintained at 7.5, GH is around 12-15. The temperature is 25-26C, but in summer does rise to nearly 28-30C, even with the AC going. The tank is serviced by two filters, a HOB Aquaclear 110, and a Fluval fx5. Its tankmates will be a female Hypsophrys nicaraguensis, a female Archocentros sajica, a female Cryptoheros cutteri, and a male Amatitlania siquia. There are some giant Danios in there as well.
This is a somewhat rough and tumble set up, and the catfish should be able to hold its own, yet should not be bigger than 20-25 cm at full length. The tankmates are still small.
Your invaluable advice will be sincerely appreciated.
Best,
Sanmay

[Bas Pels]

First, combining a female Archocentros sajica, a female Cryptoheros cutteri, and a male Amatitlania siquia will result in hybrids as the sajica and cutteri both are very closely related to sequia. In fact, I did once even see life fry of nicarquensae with nigrofasciatus - this species is later split into the current 4 species of Amatitlania.

further, for the fishes life as you suggest is rather boring. I would suggest a pair of, say, sajica and for instance Herotilapia multispinosa. Your tank is large enough for 2 breeding pairs of small cichlids

Back to your question, I have combined Platydoras armatulus with cantral Americans for decades. That is, the fishes were bought in 1988 and are still alife. Mostly they shared their tanks with Central American cichlids

However, I think this species gets rather large for a 120 cm tank - mine have always been in a 200 cm tank or larger - but the family Doradidae has more species

The common Ancistrus is also rather suiteble

[sanmayb]

Hi Bas,
Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I'll look into the catfishes you suggested and go from there. Yes, you are totally right that undesirable hybrids might appear, and it would be well nigh impossible to rehome them. I think I'll replace the male siquia with another female, maybe a rainbow, or a female salvini who I have in another tank. I am not really looking forward to breeding fishes, hence such a set up.
Thanks again.

Sanmay

[Bas Pels]

Be carefull with salvini - they are not big, but can be really agressive