Platydoras costatus compatability?

[Shaun]

I know the Cat-E-log says these guys are good community fish, but are they really safe with small fish? Apparently someone in Oz is breeding them as the price has come down quite a lot recently, and they're not an allowable import so I don't think people would be selling fish they'd risked their neck for at $25.
I want one, will they be safe with cardinal size fish?
Thanks
Shaun

[Bas Pels]

I'm afraid I can't make you happy.

I got 3, since 1989, and twice did they disappoint me.

Once, I think it was in 1998, I had combined them with some 20 platyfish of 3 cm. All went well, but one morning all platyfish were missing. Perhaps that night they realised platyfish do taste well.

in 2004 I had forgotten this, and combined them (they hardly had not grown in these 6 years)witrh 20 moenkhasia, 3-4 cm.

next morning, no moenkhausia, and the Platydoras did not show up for feeding, what they normally do

However, not all fishes imported as Platydoras are this species, so perhaps someone else, having an similar, but other species, has other experiences. In fact, I'm not certain about the species (1 or more) I got

The problem is, you will, most likely, not know what species you will have,

[Richard B]

Platydoras costatus will on occasion eat very small fish - lot's of species that are not out-&-out predators will do it, but it is more opportunist rather than their nature. This can be minimised by making sure they are well fed to begin with & making sure other tankmates are of a size that discourages predation ie big enouigh not to be a meal!

Best of luck if you do try this species (& it is the genuine article - they generally are) & keep us up to date with your progress

[Shaun]

Thanks for that guys. I think I'll get one and try it in a tank with larger fish.
Shaun