Akysis vespa water + tank size needs?

schnauzenfisch · Post by **schnauzenfisch** » 16 Aug 2005, 15:38

Hello

I have 10 Akysis vespa since 3 weeks ,and arange the tank after the few infos i found in inet (current ,cool water 24Â°). But wish tank size is ideal (they are now in 45liter tank). Wich waterhardness is preferet (they are now in water with 1 gh 0 kh ,ph 6,8).

thanx

Post by **medaka** » 16 Aug 2005, 23:56

This may probably be not a lot of help, but;
I Have only A pictus and A prashadi at the moment, both are in their own tanks which are species only, I have 5 A pictus which are kept in a 14 litre tank, with a sand substrate and a corner box filter, these tend to bury into the sand with just their nasal barbels showing, but they will come out for food. The others are 4 A prashadi which are kept in a identical tank, but I have introduced some hanging breeding mops, mainly because I have found they seem to like hiding vertical in amongst the mops as opposed to burying in the sand. the water temp is in the low seventies, PH 6.5 , Gh 3, Kh 3,
Both these types like to feed heavily (until their stomachs are bulging) so I only feed them every other day, they get fed a mixture of live and frozen food, the live being mainly white worm and blood worms, and the frozen being brine shrimp. due to them being in a small aquaria and with large appetites I do a 30% water change every forth day.

schnauzenfisch · Post by **schnauzenfisch** » 17 Aug 2005, 20:19

Thanx for posting. My A. vespa tank is also a species only with fine sand. The vespas often burrowed between the stones and driftwood (over them a small eheim pump creates a current). The tank is filtered with a "Hamburger Mattenfilter" ,placed in one corner ,also a small membranpump is installed for higher oxygene value. In the first time i got these small fishes ,i had no current ,so many of them like to hide in the sand like yours. My vespa mainly nightactive ,then i feed in daytime they search and eat only a bit ,but in nightimes they are very active . Some individuals tend to swimm permanently up ond down aquariumglass during nightimethe (when i first recognize that ,i thought the tanksize is maybe to small ?).I feed mostly red moscito larva , tubifex and enchitraen worms. I only change 1 time per week 70% of the water.
If any proposals or clue please post.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 19 Aug 2005, 10:32

It's not very strange for catfish to swim up and down the glass during nighttime.
I have 7 Akysis pictus. During the day they are buried into the sand, and during the night and/or when fed they are visible. The sand I use is playsand mixed with 2 mm. riversand (2 mm durchschnitt), which makes the bottom a little more natural.
They like a current and cooler water, but are able to resist temperatures of 25 C. for a longer period. Like all hillstream cats they like waterchanges, so you do fine.
I think they don't need large tanks, but sufficient sand on the bottom is (obviously) requiered.

retro_gk · Post by **retro_gk** » 20 Aug 2005, 15:17

So, are these guys happier in a group or can they be kept singly?

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 20 Aug 2005, 16:41

retro_gk wrote:So, are these guys happier in a group or can they be kept singly?

Good question. I have them in two small groups, but with regard to their life style it wouldn't surprise me if a single specimen was perfectly happy.

retro_gk · Post by **retro_gk** » 22 Aug 2005, 02:28

If they're anything like Hara Spp., they should be fine by themselves.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 22 Aug 2005, 08:42

Yes, although from different families, they may be compared with eachother. Are you going to buy one??

retro_gk · Post by **retro_gk** » 22 Aug 2005, 14:59

A dealer here has Akysis stock. And I have a spare 2.5 gallon tank... I'm tempted to get some.

Post by **medaka** » 22 Aug 2005, 21:22

Yes, although from different families, they may be compared with eachother

I have to disagree here.
Akyisdae have larger mouths and will if given the chance eat small fish actively chasing then , I have found that this dosn't happen in Hara & Erethistes 'sp' .

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 22 Aug 2005, 22:03

medaka wrote:
Yes, although from different families, they may be compared with eachother
I have to disagree here.
Akyisdae have larger mouths and will if given the chance eat small fish actively chasing then , I have found that this dosn't happen in Hara & Erethistes 'sp' .

Hi Medaka,
We were referring to their social(*) habits rather than their feeding habits. They seem very indifferent to company of their own kind.
On the other hand, when having the opportunity to buy some more I would certainly do so.
(* eating tankmates is not very social, is it?)

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 23 Aug 2005, 09:33

And I have a spare 2.5 gallon tank...

That's not a tank! even the buckets I use to do waterchanges are ALL bigger than 2.5G......

The fact that it's a small fish doesn't mean you can "keep and feed it in the bag" so to speak.

a 15G tank will be perfect for a group of 5 or so, and then you can add some other fish to make it lively; Akysis spend all day buried in the sand and only come out to feed or at night.

Another thing; 2.5G of water does not keep stable at all; the parameters flip with each change, let alone temperature.....

these cats are fairly tough (a LOT more tough than Hara or Erethistes), but they too need stable waterp[arameters and clean water.

retro_gk · Post by **retro_gk** » 23 Aug 2005, 18:07

No worries Alex, based on the response here and elsewhere, I've decided not to get these fish