Mystus leucophasis behaviour

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 09 Jul 2003, 16:24

My leucophasis is settled in and feeding; it took longer than most of my bagrids. I'd like to know whether they're a predator, since the leuco spends almost all its time cruising around upside-down with its tankmate (a Brachysynodontis batensoda), and so far will only take floating foods. It especially freeze-dried bloodworm. I'm not taking chances with small tankmates, but this particular bagrid seems to be an insectivore, not a piscivore. Am I right? And are there any other inverting Asian cats?

Post by **Silurus** » 09 Jul 2003, 16:31

No, <i>M. leucophasis</i> is the only Asian catfish that spends most of its time upside down. I have seen mine eat smaller fishes, so they are definitely predatory.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 09 Jul 2003, 17:05

I'd like to know how many you have, i.e. just one or a group, how big they are and how long it took.

Post by **Silurus** » 09 Jul 2003, 17:43

I have never kept more than one at any time. The one I have now is about 5" (it was about 3" when I bought it), and I've had it for a little over a year.

Post by **Rusty** » 09 Jul 2003, 17:50

We have a five incher without any other conspecifics in a 29 gallon, and it has been known to take down inch long Rasbora heteromorpha.

Rusty

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 09 Jul 2003, 17:58

I was worried about mine not feeding, but it's eating bloodworm and flakes now, so I won't need to try feeders.

Mika · Post by **Mika** » 09 Jul 2003, 19:07

I have four of those. I`ve had them three years now and they seem stopped growing and are about 15-18 cm(SL) long now. My tank is 720 l and they live quite peacefully with other inhabitants. it is possibly my fortune that i have three females and one male- i ican tell by the size and male is much slender than females.That may be the reason for not having constant fights.They seem to prefer upright? places not vertical ones.Each individual has created its own territory and don`t allow others near to it. After acclimitation they have had no serious fights with each other. Introducing new catfishes to tank has to made carefully cause they have to show the pecking order in the tank rightaway. They did half sized my Clarias pachynemas whikers in first 20 minutes it arrived the tank. After that it has lived peacefully. Mine are eating almost everything i throw to tank. Shutting down the lights helps them to come out and eat.They don`t like to eat when the lighst are on.Other inhabitants are Gymnallabes typys,Clarias pachynema,4*Anaspidoglanis macrostoma,6* Synodontis brichardi and 3* Panaque L 191 as the catfishes goes.