A few months ago, I asked about tank mates for Nessie the Tank Monster. Thanks to http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... cle_id=115 I now know what she is -- and that she's not a mutant. She and the golden algae eater still cohabitate peacefully. The answer was that my tank was too small to add anything suitable.
Recent changes include the emergency replacement of my humble 20g tank (couldn't it have chosen a less busy weekend to spring a leak???) and the good news is now I have the 55g that I'd been wishing for. The "bad" news is that Nessie will probably continue to grow to her full 11-12" size now that she's in a bigger tank.
What might be some suitable tank mates that are large and tough enough to stand up to Nessie but won't abuse the algae eater?
Thanks in advance!
~Kai in Pennsylvania
Tank Mates for Mystus leucophasis? Part Two
-
Chrysichthys
- Posts: 1331
- Joined: 09 Jan 2003, 17:22
- My images: 1
- My cats species list: 43 (i:0, k:0)
- Spotted: 1
- Location 1: Oxford U.K.
- Interests: catfish!
-
sidguppy
- Posts: 3827
- Joined: 18 Jan 2004, 12:26
- My articles: 1
- My images: 28
- My aquaria list: 5 (i:0)
- Spotted: 9
- Location 1: Southern Netherlands near Belgium
- Location 2: Noord Brabant, Netherlands
- Interests: African catfishes and oddballs, Madagascar cichlids; stoner doom and heavy rock; old school choppers and riding them, fantasy novels, travelling and diving in the tropics and all things nature.
- Contact:
even a 55 will be way too cramped for a fully grown Mystus leucophasis.
I'd say 75 is a bare minimum, and a 100G would be a lot better. then you've also got a lot more leeway when it comes to tankmates.
I'd be careful when adding other catfish, especially Bagrids with similar shape and similar requirements when it comes to hiding places.
Nessie will be increasingly territorial when growing large and this is aimed at fish that look and behave like she does.
I'd say 75 is a bare minimum, and a 100G would be a lot better. then you've also got a lot more leeway when it comes to tankmates.
I'd be careful when adding other catfish, especially Bagrids with similar shape and similar requirements when it comes to hiding places.
Nessie will be increasingly territorial when growing large and this is aimed at fish that look and behave like she does.
Valar Morghulis
-
michael56
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 18 Jun 2007, 20:35
- My cats species list: 1 (i:0, k:0)
- Location 1: pennsylvania-usa.
Does this mean that the mystus leucophasis is tolerant of other species in general-providing they are not excessively small?I have trying to plan tankmates for my female(at least I haven't seen a male appendage-she is very fast).And what size would be unsuitable?
I do not want an aggressive tank,so I prefer the tankmates to be peaceful,yet safe.
I do not want an aggressive tank,so I prefer the tankmates to be peaceful,yet safe.
Nessie Update
FYI: In the 4+ months since I got the 55g tank, Nessie the Tank Monster (mystus leucophasis) has grown another half inch or so. She is closing in on 8 inches now. The golden algae eater has max'ed out at about 4-5 inches and I have added a half dozen rowdy Tinfoil Barbs to keep them company. Nessie is still nocturnal so we only see her early in the morning or late in the evening. Otherwise, she snoozes in her hollow log decoration.
But the Tinfoil Barbs are entertaining. They're very active. They're very responsive. They follow us as we pass the tank. They watch us more than we watch them. They splash, dig up the plants, throw the rocks around and knock over the taller decorations. I wish they were a little more colorful to match their personalities. They are voracious eaters and champion poopers (so aggressive tank maintenance is required) but best of all, they have proven to be good tank mates for Nessie and Snake Eyes.
~Kai
But the Tinfoil Barbs are entertaining. They're very active. They're very responsive. They follow us as we pass the tank. They watch us more than we watch them. They splash, dig up the plants, throw the rocks around and knock over the taller decorations. I wish they were a little more colorful to match their personalities. They are voracious eaters and champion poopers (so aggressive tank maintenance is required) but best of all, they have proven to be good tank mates for Nessie and Snake Eyes.
~Kai