Mystus bocourti sociability

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 15 Apr 2004, 10:00

I ordered one of these last week under the name of "Bobourts River catfish" and wasn't the least bit disappointed at what I ended up with. I was just curious if there's any benefit to keeping them in a group like M.carcio & Synodontis decorus, or are they more of a tolerant loner? The E-log shows several in a tank so it made me a bit curious....

Tyler

Post by **Silurus** » 16 Apr 2004, 14:43

I think there is a thread somewhere here that said that they were sociable. Mind you, most species of Mystus are actually sociable fish, but you would need an extremely large tank for this sociability to be displayed.

Post by **corybreed** » 17 Apr 2004, 13:41

I purchased 8 sub adult Mystus bocourti about a month ago. They are about 4 inches in length. So far the a getting along well. They are in a heavily planted tank and appear to be quite shy.
Mark

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 17 Apr 2004, 19:52

Thanks for the replies but I think considering the adult size this was a bit of a hypothetical question for the time being. Right now I do happen to be planning for housing a few large pims (R.quelen, P.clarias/blochii...what most people consider large pims, I consider better off on the grill)..so later on I can see how it interacts with them, since their behavior is so similar. Yes, it rushed & nipped the 2 slightly larger pimpictus that were with it in the QT every once in a while (it's only 2" long & quite emaciated as well). Definately acts nothing like my M.mysticetus which would clearly benefit from some pals, not spending any time at all sitting on the bottom & bothering no one.

If I have a few extra $$ I might order a couple more this week anyway, we'll see.

DeepFriedIctalurus · Post by **DeepFriedIctalurus** » 18 May 2004, 06:53

Since they weren't to be seen on that distributor's list after the week I ordered it, I was content with 1 for the time. But last week I found 2 more 2" juveniles, I know 3 is hardly a shoal but I should still see some positive interaction if I don't have 2 males?

All came pretty emaciated but the 2 in quarantine aren't eating as well as the original was, and don't seem to like eachother too much. One even has a cloudy lens in it's left eye but I'm sure this is all due to the fact they came through APET distributing, where walmart gets it's lousy fish. They'll just need a bit more TLC I guess.

So are yours still doing well Mark?

Post by **corybreed** » 18 May 2004, 12:38

All 8 bocourti are doing well. They are alone in a well planted tank. When first purchased they were very thin as well. It took them a few days to settle in and feed on live black worms. Now they eat everything, including an assortment of sinking pellets. I do notice an occasional torn fin.

Mark