Best catfish vote

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Pictus catfish for me. Silver with black spots looks great, and it's a very active fish too.

I don't think it's appropriate for some setups it's often kept in though. Not really compatible with fish like cichlids, bichirs, or small fish that it's often kept with, needs a good amount of flow, and IMO only really thrives in 1.83m+ 400+ liter tanks (so is often misrecommended for 1.22m 208-284 liter tanks).

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Pictus catfish for me. Silver with black spots looks great, and it's a very active fish too.

I don't think it's appropriate for some setups it's often kept in though. Not really compatible with fish like cichlids, bichirs, or small fish that it's often kept with, needs a good amount of flow, and IMO only really thrives in 1.83m+ 400+ liter tanks (so is often misrecommended for 1.22m 208-284 liter tanks).

Forgot to add that the reason it's not compatible with small fish, is that it has a quite wide mouth and will eat anything that fits in it. This is probably the biggest surprise to new owners.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Can't narrow it down to one species but pimelodus cats are my favorite. Their social behavior and constant activity aside, they bring snazzy looks and serious whiskery to the party.

 

[Damascus]

Of course I must play the part of this websites name, and play devil's advocate...

Bagarius yarelli

They are amazing to look at, the evolutionary process that has led this animal to become the predator it is incredible. The "coolness" factor of a catfish with a mouthful of fangs is a driving point here.

I will take no questions at this time ?

 

[jjohnwm]

Of course I must play the part of this websites name, and play devil's advocate...

Bagarius yarelli

They are amazing to look at, the evolutionary process that has led this animal to become the predator it is incredible. The "coolness" factor of a catfish with a mouthful of fangs is a driving point here.

I will take no questions at this time ?

View attachment 1500322

Must...have...goonch...

Realistically, I know I will never have one...at least not yarelli...and I admit that my interest in this monster is more as a fisherman than as an aquarist.

But, wow...if I didn't have my Jelly Cat...I'd be thinking about the small yarelli now available from a Canadian online dealer in B.C.

 

[Friller2009]

Black Tandans (Neosluris ater) are my pick
Full of personality, they'll come out for different people,
Are peaceful, and look great when in their breeding dress.

 

[GolemGolem]

Of course I must play the part of this websites name, and play devil's advocate...

Bagarius yarelli

They are amazing to look at, the evolutionary process that has led this animal to become the predator it is incredible. The "coolness" factor of a catfish with a mouthful of fangs is a driving point here.

I will take no questions at this time ?

View attachment 1500322

Man we need like a whole catfish awards show with different categories. Ol' Goonch can win most Monster of catfish.

 

[Carter020108]

Imo RTC most well know catfish out there and that distinctive red tail is beautiful who doesn’t want a 5ft beast

 

[Fishman Dave]

Which ever one I put I will change my mind again afterwards so…………….

from a fish keeper of community tanks point of view, the humble bristlenose plec. Unassuming, does a job and can be easily sexed and bred by the layman.

From my love of monster catfish point of view, definitely the Goonch, simply because it’s so damn hard to keep and grow to a monster which means it’s not for everyone.

And then from the monsters we can all have point of view, the whole family hemibagrus especially wyckii and wyckiodes, simply because they are trainable to feed by hand and unpredictable enough to take your fingers off when you try!!

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Imo RTC most well know catfish out there and that distinctive red tail is beautiful who doesn’t want a 5ft beast

Somewhat agreed. Red tail catfish are not on my 'wish list', but I do admire them for their size and status. Mostly the fact that tankmates are just meals they haven't eaten yet, lol.
And that the tankmates they eat are species like oscars, which themselves are well known for eating smaller tankmates, making the tankmate-eating doubly impressive.