Pictus cats with Red Tail Shark?

[jodilynn]

I "adopted" a redtail shark and it is currently housed is a 55 gallon aquarium with 4 Syndontis cats (Eupterus, a hybrid, Decoras, and Alberti) 3 Kuboati loaches, a striped and a spotted Raphael, and an albino male Ancistrus and a female "Lemondrop" Ancistrus. "Bomber" is about 1.5 inches long and seems to be doing very well. There is a large log, 6 caves, and plenty of driftwood as well as some plants to allow for plenty of cover and refuge for all the fish.

Since no one really seems to appreciate my "lifeless" catfish tank, I was contemplating getting a few Pictus cats to school and add some movement to the tank. Currently the most movement comes from my loaches and the shark ( and that really isn't much!).

I think the Pictus would be beautiful in a small school of about 3 individuals, but I am a bit worried about the redtail, as from what I have read they act agressively towards fast moving fish or those of a similar shape.

Does anyone have experience keeping these two species together? Would I need more than 3 individuals?

Thanks!

[Richard B]

In my experience, pictus do best in much bigger groups in bigger tanks, the best i have ever seen them was 20 in a six foot tank which was a stunning display.

I would not recommend only having 3 together as that is not really a 'school' & one individual may bully the other 2 in a small group. Speaking of bullies, the red tail shark can become a troublesome individual when it grows, they can become too inquisitve & harrass fish that take their interest or bully & stress out tankmates. I'd keep a close eye on it as it matures.

[jodilynn]

I would say a school of 5 individuals is about the maximum I could do in a 55 gallon.

I am saving up for a 100 gallon becase I figure in a few years the synos (especially the Decorus) will be quite large.

The red-tail was another cast off from a friend .

[drago]

From the Tail a Shark of the roadstead is Epalzeorhynchos bicolor?
In my opinion too small aquarium on pictus, which electricity of water likes it, how water is flowing by the bottom. Apart from that a minimum quantity is 6 pieces. However Epalzeorhynchos likes the stagnant water, so are already mutually exclusive. He is aggressive towards coloured red fish, and about similar shapes e.g. Crossocheilus.