PlanetCatfish.com

well first off Hi, my names Brandon and this is my first post on planet catfish.

My 4'x2'x2' 120g is currently stocked with:
1- 3inch salvini
1-2inch GT
1-3inch Jack Dempsey
1-3 inch Oscar
I am interested in getting one or several s/a catfish for this tank
my questions are:

What kinds would you suggest?

Would i need to relocate one of the current inhabitants to accommodate the catfish as far as stocking, and aggression are concerned ?

And how many should i get?

adittional info-
ph is neutral
ammonia-0
filtration is one fluval 305, one HOB, and an ehiem classic.

Thanks for the help, Brandon

Welcome to PC Brandon.

My observation - your cichlids are all sub-adult at those sizes and while it might 'work' now, what about when they mature? They're all beautiful fish when fully grown, but very territorial with it. Your tank will become a battle ground, with any catfish hiding/ trying to get out of their way/ squashed up in the corners. I doubt you would see their natural behaviour. I'm afraid I can't recommend a catfish to this set-up.
If the cichlids were the more peaceful shoaling types, eg some geophagus, satanoperca, angels, or keyholes, then there's a whole range of catfish to choose from.

Welcome to Planet Catfish

Salvini & JDs are beautiful fish. Like the others though they are tough & aggressive fish & you've picked a right old mix which is asking for trouble when they mature.

If you wanted to add a catfish my initial thought was something about a foot long and armoured might be a possibility.

My only other thought was to go with african aggressive synos that could hold their own like acanthomias or schall

You are a fair distance from Wisconsin, but the Megalodoras that is up for sale/rehoming over in the "For sale (US & Canada)" would be a good candidate - although you may need a bigger tank pretty soon...

--
Mats

Thanks for the replies, As far as the current stock, they are being watched carefully for aggression. There are definite territories set up in the tank and there are plenty of extra cover and caves.

Thanks again, Brandon

I had an Oscar with a Chocolate cichlid, a regular JD and 2 EBJD's in my 125 gallon until very recently. I rehomed the Oscar as the JD and the O were getting quite aggressive with each other. While the JD was growing out, it wasn't a problem. Getting rid of the O also gave me more choices as to what I can keep in the tank as the mouths of the other cichlids are not as large. Since your cichlids are still small you have more choices in what you can keep in there.

Once your fish are full grown, I think the bioload on that tank will be quite high, so ultimately, you'd have to rehome one or two to keep your maintenance low I think. I'd probably stay away from panaque even though they can handle the cichlids and are very nice, because of the bioload they can generate. Perhaps a nice Pekoltia species like the ?