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There seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the internet regarding the pictus cats. I just purchased three young pictus (prob 2.5 inches) and put them in a cycled 20 gallon long. The water quality is fine but I have noticed traces of ammonia every few days since adding them. When I see this I do a 35% water change.

Now one of the three has a couple spots on its top fin that may be ich. One of the fish got caught in the net at the LFS and I think this may be the one. Typically to treat most issues I do water changes every other day, increase heat, and add aquarium salt but I know catfish don't tolerate it as well. I diluted 1 table spoon in tank water and put it in slowly to see how it works and plan on doing a water change tonight.

My questions:
1. Is it ok to add a smaller amount of salt like this to treat catfish disease?
2. Are three pictus in a 20 long with no other tank mates ok until they get a bit bigger?
3. Why do they only use the left side of the tank?
4. They seem to fight a lot with each other. Is this normal?

Edit: Fixed title (was wrong due to phone autocomplete)

TG: There seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the internet regarding the pictus cats.
VJ: What specifically?

TG: I just purchased three young pictus (prob 2.5 inches) and put them in a cycled 20 gallon long. The water quality is fine but I have noticed traces of ammonia every few days since adding them. When I see this I do a 35% water change.
VJ: by traces do you mean less than 0.25 ppm on a standard droplet test? If it does happen, it should coincide with the feedings, I'd guess. Less than 0.25 ppm would be fine. More than 0.25 ppm would be room for improvement.

TG: Now one of the three has a couple spots on its top fin that may be ich.
VJ: a pic would help if you are worried.

TG: ... Typically to treat most issues I do water changes every other day, increase heat, and add aquarium salt
VJ: sounds reasonable.

TG: but I know catfish don't tolerate it as well.
VJ: I'd not agree. Some don't. Most do ok with a half a dose and with a full dose too.


1. Is it ok to add a smaller amount of salt like this to treat catfish disease?
**** aim for 1/2 dose but as I said most times full dose is tolerated, but salt is not a med that has precise prescription levels anyways - for many it is trial nd error

2. Are three pictus in a 20 long with no other tank mates ok until they get a bit bigger?
*** I think so.

3. Why do they only use the left side of the tank?
***Because their left brain hemisphere is bigger. A tank shot would help us tell you why.

4. They seem to fight a lot with each other. Is this normal?
*** Yes. They are establishing a pecking order. This usually does not lead to any serious damage. Most keepers, me included, recommend a school of at least 6 to lessen this behavior (which will subside some) and to bring about their best behavior and for their own comfort too.

TG: I just purchased three young pictus (prob 2.5 inches) and put them in a cycled 20 gallon long. The water quality is fine but I have noticed traces of ammonia every few days since adding them. When I see this I do a 35% water change.
VJ: by traces do you mean less than 0.25 ppm on a standard droplet test? If it does happen, it should coincide with the feedings, I'd guess. Less than 0.25 ppm would be fine. More than 0.25 ppm would be room for improvement.

Correct. It was between 0 ppm and 0.25 ppm.

TG: Now one of the three has a couple spots on its top fin that may be ich.
VJ: a pic would help if you are worried.

The spots have appeared to go away.

Thanks for the clarification on my questions. The fish appear to be stabilizing and I am starting to gradually bring the temperature back down to their normal range. They also are now using the full aquarium for their crazy swim patterns. My only other question is what size of tank will these three need to be in when they are full grown. Thanks again!

My pleasure but if I were you I'd not rely too much on opinions of one keeper.

The usual rule of thumb calls for 4xL by 2xL physical footprint, where L is the length (in your question - adult length) of a fish. TL or SL does not matter too much. Suppose adult pictus reaches 6". This means that the rule of thumb calls for 24" x 12".

There are 2 complications I see with pictus: 1. They are very active swimmers (and best kept in good size schools) and 2. Their maxillary barbels length exceeds their body length, hence spanning more then a foot whilst it has been noted that when a catfish can touch both front and back glass panes of an aquarium at the same time, it makes it nervous, flighty, skittish, stressed -> not good.

For active swimmers the rule of thumb is usually upped by 1.5 times, that is 6xL by 3xL, in your case leads to 36" x 18". This may also alleviate the barbel span problem, albeit 24" width would be safer IMO.

Hope someone else chimes in and corrects me if I am wrong.

To supplement Viktor's post - i would go with a minimum of 42" tank size, with as great a width as possible.
The best i've ever seen pictus look is in a dealers sump tank (anyone familiar with branches of MA will know what i mean). A 6x2x2 with 30 or so adults - constantly on the move but looking so relaxed and behaving naturally.

Hey Richard! Please take a pic next time you are there and post it. It sounds awesome!

Did you mean to say 42"? Standard tanks here go in feet, 55 gal is 4'x1'. 120 gal is 6'x1.5'.

Hi Viktor

I will get a pic if i can. I did mean 42", but the UK do have different sizes - i feel 36" (3 foot is a touch small for adults, so a four foot would be far better.