Centromochlus reticulatus questions

[catfishchaos]

Well this simple catfish project has become more complex than I though it could.

I Finalized on a species though! (I'm sure your all sick of hearing that though).

I plan on getting a breeding group of

Centromochlus reticulatus

for my 26 gallon tank (36 inches long, 12 wide and 16 high). I am unsure about stocking levels and was thinking a group 6 or 7 (2.4 or 3.4) would be happy, but I could be wrong. I have planted the tank and I plan on letting it grow in for a few weeks before I add any fish (also waiting for it to cycle). The PH is steady at 5.0 and I'm concerned that its to acidic for these little guys. For feeding I'm planning on frozen blood worms and brine shrimp and some commercial diets as well as maybe some live white worms (if I get a colony)- any thoughts on a feeding schedule?

Here is the set up


And underneath that large log I have crammed 2 smaller pieces of wood to make the crevices and hides the guys love, do you think I need more? Hopefully this pic gives you a rough idea of what it looks like.


And if nobody here uses the 1.1.1 system I can happily explain it!-(Something I dragged over from reptiles...)

What do you guys think?

[bekateen]

1.1.1 = 3 fish, 1 male, 1 female, 1 undetermined gender?

[Martin S]

I got the 2.4 (2 males/4 females) but don't get 1.1.1 either!
But to answer some questions, I'd go with 7 (3.4), and although you won't see much of them, what other fish do you plan to add? They are very active at feeding time, and after lights out though they will feed with lights on, so don't need to be fed after dark, but the rest of the time, the tank will look very empty! Feeding once a day is fine, varied diet though they do love bloodworm, whiteworms and will also take small pellets and food like Tetra prima and flake. Generally they are not fussy with food. I think your ph may be a bit low, how are you testing? Liquid/dip strip/ph meter?

[catfishchaos]

Yes sorry the last number means unknown gender.

I used a liquid Ph test, are there any ways I can raise the Ph a little? I know the aquasoil lowers PH and that my tap water is aprox 5.5 PH so it seems to add up.

I do plan on only having the

Centromochlus reticulatus

in the tank as I think that would be best for spawning them, do you think it would be better with some dithers? What PH would you recommend for the reticulatus?

[Martin S]

I'd say around 6-6.5 would be ideal, but you'll need to find a way to keep the pH from dropping back down - what's your kH? I struggled with dropping pH due to a low kH which I resolved by adding a bag of coral gravel to the filter. The thing to watch is the conditions the fish come from - ideally you'd acclimatise your fish to your water rather than change the water to suit the fish, but with it low already, and the possibility it could drop more with the soil and bogwood, I'd be keen to find a way to raise it up. Others may disagree, so don't take my response as gospel. Good aeration will also help, as will regular water changes.
If your intention is to spawn, then yes, obviously keeping them alone is the best way as it removes the chance of egg predation by other occupants.

[catfishchaos]

So turns out i might have exaggerated the Ph problem a little. My tap water is 6.5 and the tank is aprox 5.5 now (just tested it). The wood was soaked in scolding hot water changed every 6 hours or so for 2 day to get rid of most of the tannins (learnt my lesson from 55 gallon i turned to coffee). I just finished seeding the filter (took a sponge from my 55 and swapped it) and i also just did a 25 percent so im going to retest in an hour once the filter pushes the new water around enough and take it from there!

Do you happen to know what temps i should keep these guys at?

[Martin S]

I would think 25-26C would be fine.

[catfishchaos]

Alright thanks!


Also just found out the seller wont sex them so do you think if I order 7 ill get a decent mix? Or should I order 10-20 and sex them my self and then sell the rest off?

[Richard B]

I'd get 10-20. This will allow for any losses (as they can suffer on import), then grow them up, select the group you want & sell the spares. The spares will be well-grown, established & healthy so should be easier to sell on

[Martin S]

Agree with Richard