Pictus Catfish & Aquarium Salt Compatibility?

SapphireBlue · Post by **SapphireBlue** » 15 Jul 2004, 13:18

I have two Pictus Catfish and recently added a "Black Finned Shark?" to the mix. I am going to get a couple more, when the store gets them in (says they do best in schools of three, or more). I talked about them in another post. From what I have read and been told, the Sharks need salt in the tank. Your information page mentioned as the fish get larger, you need to increase the salt until it's practically at marine level salinity. Therefore, will the Pictus cats do okay with salt in the tank? How about with the increases in the salt. I've not been able to find much on how much salt they can take. Does anyone know? Thank you.

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Jul 2004, 13:22

No, the pictus will not take to the salt kindly, at least not at the levels that the shark catfish will feel comfortable with (and especially if you keep the pictus in brackish water for a long time).

SapphireBlue · Post by **SapphireBlue** » 15 Jul 2004, 13:26

The Pictus cats were in with the original large "Black Finned Sharks" for several years and still seem to be okay. The previous owners were adding table salt. I guess they developed a tolerance for it, or the levels weren't high enough to bother them. At what point, do I have to really increase the salt for the Sharks and how much at one time? Is there a formula for that?

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Jul 2004, 14:13

This is just a very rough approximation, but I would make the tank brackish (about 1 tablespoon salt for every 5 gallons) when the Arius reach about 4-5", and switch over to a completely marine environment when the fish reach about 9-10".
My advice is still to remove the pictus whenever you can. Salt is not good for them in the long run.

SapphireBlue · Post by **SapphireBlue** » 15 Jul 2004, 14:22

Should I be adding it now, with the new juvenile Shark Catfish? I thought I would just start doing it, with the water changes, so it would be used to it. Currently, the tank has some salt in it, as I added it right before the second orginal large Shark Catfish died. I believe I added two tablespoons, which was about half dose (for the twenty gallon) from the package recommendation. It will be awhile before the little guy attains a 4 - 5" size. The Pictus cats were in the water, with the table salt, for years. If I remove it now, won't they have problems with that?

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Jul 2004, 14:29

Should I be adding it now, with the new juvenile Shark Catfish?

You can if you want, although I'd leave them in less saline waters until they gain another inch or two.

If I remove it now, won't they have problems with that?

If you do this gradually (put the pictus in another tank with water of equal salinity, and replace 40% of the water with fresh water weekly...by the end of your third week, the water will be essentially fresh water), there will be no problems.