Tell me about Pictus Catfish...

[niks97cobra]

I'd like to add a pictus catfish to my tank. My bottom level fish just seem so active and I want an active fish. My corys chill all day long in my forest of amazon swords and my pleco hides behind the heater and filter inlet until the lights go out. I want something to livin the bottom up some. My stocking is:
1 BGK
1 L199 Pleco
1 Angelfish
5 Peppered Corys
8 Bleeding Heart Tetras
10 Silver Hatchets

Do you see any problems adding a pictus catfish? Do they like to hide in caves? If so, will he bully my BGK out of his cave?

Nik

[MatsP]

Ok, lets first say that if you expect your Pictus to behave like in the tank in the shop, you'll be a bit disappointed, I should think. Mine come out (franticly) when they are hungry at feeding time. But they are not always hungry (understandably, if you look at the way they eat when they are eating - talk about "binge eating").

I'd suggest

Megalechis thoracata

for livening up the bottom a bit.

Also, you'll find that your plecos are more forthcoming if there's more hiding places other than behind the heater and the filter. Such as a few caves with the opening facing the front of the tank. If the fish has "a close hideout" it's more likely to come out and have a look whilst the lights are on.

Also, supposedly (I haven't tried myself) Angelfish aren't too great to combine with pictus cats, as the pictus cats are very active at night, and Angels get disturbed when the long barbels touch them at night.

What's a BGK?

You don't specify what size tank you have, which will also affect the amount of fish you can possibly keep in the tank.

[moderator hat on]You should fill in the "location" in your profile. Not only is this a rule for the forum, but it's also helpfull when giving advice such as "where can I buy xxx" or "what medication should I use against yyy", as that will vary from one country or region to another.[moderator hat off].

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Mats

[Chrysichthys]

Pictus need to be kept in a group; if you have just one, it will either hide all the time or show futile behaviour such as constantly swimming up and down.