What kind of cats can I mix with Killies?

[Plecofanatic1989]

Ok. I know this is probably a very very stupid question. Why would I want to mix catfish and killifish right? I know that if I wanted the best results from breeding killies, they should be in a species tank. But I'm thinking maybe a few catfish can't do too much harm; just clean the tank (and maybe snack on a few smaller killi fry) right? Or would this be too much of a hassle to show off killies with other fish?
So I'm asking what kind of catfish do well with killies and wouldn't really munch on their young?
I'm planning a 33 gallon tank (48"X12"X14") with T5 lighting, a glass top (prevent jumping), a canister filter (not sure what brand, but probably Rena Filstar XP1(have one already, love it ) or XP2), and it will be heavily planted. I'm also planning on maybe some Rummynose and/or Cardinal Tetras and maybe some Dwarf Cichlids (not sure what spp. any suggestions in that direction would be appreciated too )Anyway, I am purchasing, very shortly, a few pairs of Aphyosemion straitum. I love their color!
So back to my main question, what, if any, catfish would make good tankmates for killifish? I do plan on spawning them and raising their young.
Thanx, and I'm sorry to any of you out there shaking your heads at my question .
Josh

[Marc van Arc]

There's nothing wrong with your question.
Imo the best catfishes to go with Killies are Corys; the best Cichlid to go with that combination is probably Microgeophagus ramirezi.

[mummymonkey]

Most killies that I've kept will nip the cory's dorsal fins. Of all the killies I've kept though, Aphyosemion striatum are least disposed to do this and I've kept them with corys in a planted tank with little damage to the catfish. The fundulopanchax species such as F. scheeli seem to be the worst. I'm currently keeping a single small ancistrus in most of my killie tanks and this combination seems to work well.

[Plecofanatic1989]

How big are the tanks you're using with your killies? I was kinda thinking about having them in a community with them as the focus.
I take it that if I was to breed them in their own little tank that Ancistrus would be the best choice? Wouldn't Ancistrus sp. munch on killi eggs? Just wondering. BTW that is A. striatum in that picture right? I LOVE THAT FISH!!
Thanx
Josh

[Mike_Noren]

Catfish: I'd recommend small and insectivorous or small and algae eating. Common ancistrus, banjo, Parotocinclus, that kind of thing. Corydoras no doubt works, but will eat some of the killi eggs (in case that matter to you; I assume this is not a breeding tank).

Cichlids: I will suggest a couple of nice dwarfs: Anomalochromis thomasi and Laetacara dorsigera. Especially dorsigera is normally very docile. Both should be easy to find.
I personally find rams pretty problematic: they're aggressive and extremely delicate, plus they're probably the most short-lived of all cichlids.

I've not kept your particular killi, but I've kept some other, and none of them have been very difficult to keep with other fish; I've kept species of Aplocheilus, Plataplocheilus, and Fundulopanchax together with kribs, without any problem.

Also bred F. nigerianus together with croaking goramy, Trichopsis schalleri, and although both species are aggressive and fought eachother a lot, both also reproduced successfully.

[Richard B]

I was going to suggest hara, hypoptopoma, otocinclus, aspidoras, microsynodontis, pareutropius, Kryptopterus minor, Pseudolaguvia , Phractura , or Akysis - if any are available to you & would fit in with your water conditions

[apistomaster]

I have raised hundreds of Aphyosemion striatum. It has always been a favorite of mine. Fin nipping of other fish is not something I have ever experienced with them. Rival males sometimes split a fin when they display and scrap with each other, that goes with the territory.

Keep in mind they do best at ~75*F so your choice of catfish should be species that do well at the same temperature.
Most any catfish will eat any eggs they find but so do the Killies themselves. It sounds like maximum production is not your goal but rather a more natural and less labor intensive method.

These killies make good dither fish for Dwarf Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids will limit your fry production almost entirely. Rams are out of the question since they need very warm water, 84 to even 88*F. Apistogramma borelli has been a good match, but again, almost no killie fry will make it.

Small Ancistrus sp 3 and several of the other small catfish mentioned above are good choices. I would not include the Glass Cats of any kind if you hope for some fry. It wouldn't hurt to hedge your bet a little by providing a few spawning mops and check them daily for eggs so you are assured continuation of your A. striatum or use a conventional set up for a trio.
A. striatum fry are very prone to contracting velvet and I find this problem is reduced if a teaspoon of salt per gallon is used in their water.

[mummymonkey]

How big are the tanks you're using with your killies? I was kinda thinking about having them in a community with them as the focus.
I take it that if I was to breed them in their own little tank that Ancistrus would be the best choice? Wouldn't Ancistrus sp. munch on killi eggs? Just wondering. BTW that is A. striatum in that picture right? I LOVE THAT FISH!!
Thanx
Josh

My breeding tanks are 18x12x12 which is a little large if anything. I grow on fry in 24x12x12s.
Killies tend not to do well in most community set ups. They can be shy, jumpy, nippy or all three.
The killies I keep spawn in mops so the ancistrus can't get at the eggs. I check the mops daily anyway.
The picture is of a male striatum, one of the easiest killies to keep and breed, and one of the most beautiful.

[apistomaster]

I breed A. striatum in groups consisting of two males and six females in ten gallon tanks filled with about six inches of water and top and bottom mops. They really don't lend themselves well to life in community tanks as mummymonkey pointed out.

[Plecofanatic1989]

Okay... not what I wanted to hear but that's why I asked. I'm still getting a couple pairs of A. striatum. I will abandon my plans for killies in that 33 gallon and keep them in smaller tanks with some Ancistrus spp.
I thought maybe it was a bad idea, but thought I'd pick some brains first.
Thank you all for your insight.
Josh

[Plecofanatic1989]

Oh and thanx for that pointer on breeding them Apistomaster!! I do have some spare 10gallons, so that's where they will reside and spawn.
Thanx again,
Josh