Setup for Pseudomystus heokhuii?

[bekateen]

Hi All,

What's the best setup for

Pseudomystus heokhuii

? My LFS has them on sale. Seriously considering getting a group.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Eric

[bekateen]

Dang it. I just bought six.

[Silurus]

Ideally, the same kind of setup for

Mystus bimaculatus

, i.e. very soft, very acidic blackwater. Plenty of woodwork and leaf litter.

[bekateen]

Ideally, the same kind of setup for

Mystus bimaculatus

, i.e. very soft, very acidic blackwater. Plenty of woodwork and leaf litter.

Thanks! I can do that. Most of my tanks are semi-soft (50-100ppm) and pH 6, but I can go lower on both if they like it.

From the Mystus info, I'm suspecting that these Pseudomystus would like lower water flow, not fast. Is that correct?

I got 6 fish at $8USD each, 3 males, 2 for sure females and one that won't slow down but I think it's female. Besides lacking the genital papilla and being fatter, the females are darker than the males.

Here's two males in front with a female behind to the right.

Cheers, Eric

Cheers.

[bekateen]

https://youtu.be/6v_g0Zc3bJ4

[bekateen]

Abdominal color difference between males and females (all of them in my group look like these):

[Silurus]

I'm suspecting that these Pseudomystus would like lower water flow, not fast. Is that correct?

Most peat swamp habitats do not have strong water flow.

[bekateen]

I didn't think so. Thank you.

Cheers, Eric

[Shane]

HH provided this some years ago.

William, F., H. Beamish, R. B. Beamish & S. L.-H. Lim, 2003. Fish assemblages and habitat in a Malaysian blackwater peat swamp. Environmental Biology of Fishes 68: 1-13

-Shane

[bekateen]

HH provided this some years ago.

William, F., H. Beamish, R. B. Beamish & S. L.-H. Lim, 2003. Fish assemblages and habitat in a Malaysian blackwater peat swamp. Environmental Biology of Fishes 68: 1-13

-Shane

Thanks Shane! Got it here: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/1 ... 315978.pdf

Cheers, Eric

[bekateen]

To their tank, today I added about 500ml volume of wet peat moss inside a thin sock. Within 20 minutes, the pH dropped from 6.9 to 6.4; after an hour, it was 6.3. I'm sure it's going to go lower; I want to get pH down to 4-4.5, but I don't want to shift it too rapidly.

Other water parameters:
TDS = 45 ppm
Temp = 26C

I also added a ramekin bowl with a thin layer of pea gravel, in which I placed about 25 ml (almost 2 tablespoons) of live blackworms.

And here's a nice big female, 55mm SL.

[bekateen]

At 2pm today, water check: pH 5.9 (temperature and TDS unchanged).

I added an additional 500 ml volume of water-saturated peat moss today, to drive the pH lower. I also did a 30% WC with pure RO, bringing the TDS down to 40ppm.

By 4pm today, pH had fallen from 5.9 to 5.6 after adding the extra peat moss.

Stating the obvious, no eggs yet.

Cheers,
Eric

[bekateen]

Just checking water today. No water changes or other changes (didn't add any more peat moss).

Temp 26F
TDS 45ppm
pH 4.6

Still no eggs.

Cheers, Eric

[bekateen]

Water change today. Before water change,
Temp 26F
TDS 50ppm
pH 3.8

I did a 40-50% water change, refilling the tank with 1/3 tap water and 2/3 RO water. After water change,
Temp still 26F
TDS 45ppm
pH 5.8

... and still no eggs. ... maybe I should just make that my signature until they eventually (if ever) spawn.

Cheers,
Eric

[bekateen]

Just checking water today. No water changes or other changes (didn't add any more peat moss).

Temp 26F
TDS 38ppm
pH 4.9

From yesterday's water change, it's rather apparent that with a TDS of around 40ppm, there is almost no buffering of the water. Consequently, the water change, which added back mostly RO water but also about 1 gallon or so of tapwater, had an initial big swing on pH (from 3.8 to 5., only to be back down to pH 4.9 the next day. What I'm a little confused by is the fact that the TDS actually dropped from 45ppm to below 40ppm overnight... If anything I would have expected the tannins from the peat moss (which has now been in the tank for a few days) to have elevated the TDS.

Even so, the fish are all still alive, so that's a good sign.

Cheers, Eric

P.S. And still no eggs.

[bekateen]

water check today:

Temp 26F
TDS 53ppm
pH 3.8

[bekateen]

Here are two pics of one of the females, after she's been living in my tank for 18 days.

The tank receives indirect light from 9am till 6pm daily, but even so the tank is well shaded with ample hiding places. I mention the lighting (or lack thereof, really) because it appears to me that some of the individuals look more silvery than their yellow and black on the day of purchase, and all of them have more red in the opercular area than they did on the day of purchase (compare these pics to my pics above).

Otherwise, the fish look well fed and are active around the tank if I don't shine a flashlight on them.

Is the increased red around the gills a good thing or bad thing? Maybe they aren't really more red, but if their melanization is subdued living in the dark conditions, maybe I'm just able to see the gills better through a less melanized skin.

Tank water conditions vary with water changes. Today before water change:
TDS 45ppm
pH 3.5

After water change with mostly RO water plus a little tap water for ions:
TDS 25ppm
pH 5.8

Over the next day or so, pH will fall and TDS will rise as the peat does its thing.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Cheers, Eric

Actually, comparing the new and old photos, I don't think the fish are any more red than the fish shown earlier (different fish, but also a female):

P.S.... still no eggs.

[bekateen]

Pseudomystus heokhuii, commonly known as the Asian Bumblebee Catfish, is a fascinating species often sought after by hobbyists for its unique appearance and peaceful demeanor. To create an ideal setup for Pseudomystus heokhuii, you'll want to mimic its natural habitat while ensuring it has adequate space and hiding spots. Here's a general guide:

Aquarium Size: Aim for a tank with a minimum capacity of 20 gallons (75 liters). However, larger tanks are always preferable as they provide more swimming space and stability in water parameters.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
pH: 6.5-7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (4-15 dGH)

Filtration: Efficient filtration is crucial to maintain water quality, as Pseudomystus heokhuii are sensitive to poor water conditions. A hang-on-back or canister filter rated for your tank size would be suitable.

Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel would resemble the riverbeds where they're typically found. Avoid sharp gravel that could injure the catfish's delicate barbels.

Décor:

Driftwood, rocks, and caves: Provide plenty of hiding spots using driftwood, smooth rocks, and caves. These will offer security for the catfish and encourage natural behaviors.
Live plants: Consider adding live plants such as Java Fern, Anubias, or Amazon Sword. These not only enhance the aesthetics but also contribute to water quality and provide additional hiding places.

Lighting: Pseudomystus heokhuii doesn't have any specific lighting requirements. Moderate lighting to simulate natural daylight cycles is adequate.

Tank Mates: Asian Bumblebee Catfish are peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful community fish that are not aggressive or overly territorial. Suitable tank mates include small to medium-sized tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful bottom-dwelling species like Corydoras catfish.

Feeding: Pseudomystus heokhuii are omnivores. Offer a varied diet including high-quality sinking pellets, frozen or live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and chopped earthworms. They may also graze on algae and detritus.

Water Quality Maintenance: Regular water changes (about 25% weekly) are essential to keep water parameters stable and maintain good water quality.

Behavior: Pseudomystus heokhuii are primarily nocturnal, so don't be alarmed if they're more active during the evening or night.

By setting up an aquarium environment that closely resembles their natural habitat and providing suitable tank mates and appropriate care, you can ensure the health and well-being of your Pseudomystus heokhuii.

Thank you for your post. I'm curious: Where is this content from? The pH recommendations are not accurate, and the other care info is rather generic.

Cheers, Eric

[bekateen]

Oh no! It appears that my Pseudomystus heokhuii have Camallanus worms! I've started treatment with API General Cure which provides 250 mg Metronidazole and 75 mg Praziquantel per packet, treat 1 packet per 10 gallons every other day for two treatments/4 days. I've got PraziPro, which I may try after that, but it has the same ingredient (Oxybispropanol (as an inert solubilizing agent) & <5% Praziquantel). I'm trying to find Fritz Expel-P at my local shop, but might have to order it online. It uses a different drug (113 mg levamisole hydrochloride per 10 gallons, one treatment per week for two weeks).

All six fish are still with me; I don't know how many are infected with worms or where the worms came from. Hopefully the fish were infected when I bought them as wild caught, because the alternative is chilling.

I don't have the best luck with meds, so fingers crossed!

Cheers, Eric