Dianema urostriatum

[kalija]

Last night I saw some flagtail ports in a store, very rare to see them around here. I didn't get them but I am leaning towards going back, but I had some questions.
How many should be kept in a group, are they like cory's who prefer large schools? Could they be kept along with Hoplo cats?(I have 2 of them) And lastly, how do they get on with other bottom dwellers such as small plecos or whiptails?
Thanks!

[djw66]

Last night I saw some flagtail ports in a store, very rare to see them around here. I didn't get them but I am leaning towards going back, but I had some questions.
How many should be kept in a group, are they like cory's who prefer large schools? Could they be kept along with Hoplo cats?(I have 2 of them) And lastly, how do they get on with other bottom dwellers such as small pl*cos or whiptails?
Thanks!

Grab 'em! Great fish.

Multiples of six, just like corys - the more the merrier. I've never seen porthole cats bug anything other than playing around with each other.

Dave

[Marc van Arc]

And lastly, how do they get on with other bottom dwellers such as small pl*cos or whiptails?

Another advantage: these are not strictly bottom orientated. Mine are also very fond of the middle water layer where they swim around or just rest in the plants.

[kalija]

Ok, I got them! I was sitting at work all day yesterday kicking myself for not buying them. They only had four so I got them all. Seem to be settling in OK. I can't help but wonder, why are these guys so uncommon to see these days (hoplos too); yet there are iridescent sharks and channel cats in every store in town?
Anyway, thanks for the advice!

[djw66]

Ok, I got them! I was sitting at work all day yesterday kicking myself for not buying them. They only had four so I got them all. Seem to be settling in OK. I can't help but wonder, why are these guys so uncommon to see these days (hoplos too); yet there are iridescent sharks and channel cats in every store in town?
Anyway, thanks for the advice!

kalija,

Congrats on the purchase

They are uncommon because retailers would rather sell you something that is NOT an aquarium fish because its farmed in the Far East by the billions, thus cheap to buy wholesale. The same with channels; they pay pennies for those. It's all about profit, unfortunatley. The uber petstores . . .don't get me started.

Depending on the size of your setup, if indeed it was a LFS that you bought them from, the owner may order more for you, especially if you offer to pay for them in advance. They're like cories, which they are very closely related; they deeply enjoy more of their kind, and do much better that way.

Dave

[joern]

Hi kalija

nice fish you got !

Take care they get enough food, as they are more free swimming fish and more rarely button dwelling. In generell they are easy to keep.

Did you take a look at "shanes world" on this site ? There you will a breeding article that will give you some more information.

[kalija]

Actually, I got them at a feed and garden store, not a place you'd expect to find any uncommon types of fish. Our local fish stores are big on Oscars and common pleco's and short on anything close to "uncommon". They refuse to special order anything either! But from time to time I find something new at this place, I got some tatia perugiae there a few months ago, and theats where I found my hoplo's. I think the store manager has a soft spot for catfish, although most people don't even think to go there for fish! If they don't get anymore flagtails in the next few weeks there is a fish store a couple hours west of me that probably will have them. It's right in the middle of the lake-effect snow zone tho, so it'll be a while before I make it there. I hope they are not too lonely in the meanwhile!

[djw66]

kalija,

Ah, lake effect snows, I remember them well. When I was young, my family and I lived in Grosse Ile, a 'burb of Detroit. Of course, being from Montreal originally, I know all about snow . . .

Obviously, there's a confirmed fish head in that feed and garden store - buy your cattle feed, your tomatoes, and some relatively uncommon aquarium catfish there.

I tell you, tatias, flagtails, hoplos? I'd become great good friends with that store manager - no telling what else he/she could come up with for you, ESPECIALLY if he/she knows you're after ports . . .and wave money under their nose.

Dave