Upsidedown Catfish Tank Mates?

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Kittiee Katt

Kittiee Katt

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Aug 1, 2015
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Long story short I've been eyeing a mates upsidedown catfish off for a few weeks, and he's just offered it to me FOR FREE because his African cichlids are picking on it... These go for around $40 for a 2 inch catfish down here, so I'm pretty excited to be offered one for free..

However, I don't want to take it if I can't accommodate for it. I know they don't get very big (12cm is what I've read) and was wondering if it could share a 120ltr, two and a half foot tank with my CT betta and five minnows? If not would it get along with my goldfish in their 400ltr five foot tank? I'd rather put him in with my betta because I like my goldfish in a species only tank, but if they have to share with a catfish that's okay.

Anyone know how aggressive they are? I've read mixed reviews on Google.

What is their minimum recommended tank size?

How hard are they to keep?

Also, the Goldfish's tank is heated to 22°c because they have plants in there to nibble on that rather the warm water.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

Post script: I know these aren't exactly monster fish, but I have a monster drive to help the little guy.

Post, post script: sorry if this is in the wrong section. :)
 
KK: ... These go for around $40 for a 2 inch catfish down here...
TBTB: Where is that?

KK: I know they don't get very big (12cm is what I've read)
TBTB: champion sizes are 12" SL (not counting the caudal fin), but usually not exceed 8" TL (total length incl. the tail fin) by much.

KK: and was wondering if it could share a 120ltr, two and a half foot tank with my CT betta and five minnows?
TBTB: The tank and the tank mates are too small.

KK: If not would it get along with my goldfish in their 400ltr five foot tank? I'd rather put him in with my betta because I like my goldfish in a species only tank, but if they have to share with a catfish that's okay.
TBTB: Looks like this is your only option.

KK: Anyone know how aggressive they are? I've read mixed reviews on Google.
TBTB: I appears to depend on tank, proper diet, and tank mates. 5'x1.5' tank and goldfish for mates should be ok. A small fraction of them has been reported to go nuts and be aggressive to tank mates but usually they are well behaved.

KK: What is their minimum recommended tank size?
TBTB: I'd say an 8" adult would scrape by in a 5'x1.5' but remember, the larger the tank, the exponentially less problems will the fish cause.

KK: How hard are they to keep?
TBTB: They are some of the hardiest fish that we have in our hobby. See this for more - they can come back from a truly horrifying condition and abuse: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=41416

KK: Also, the Goldfish's tank is heated to 22°c because they have plants in there to nibble on that rather the warm water.
TBTB: That may be ok for the cooler season but generally they need more tropical temps.
 
Australia, but I live on a small island at the bottom of the country, so everythings more expensive here than in the rest of the country.

They really get that big?? Wow, the little guys tiny atm. Like 1 inch long.

Its good to know that they're tough buggas and I'm unlikely to waste the poor guys life - makes me feel a little better.


Wondering if the hubby will let me set up an African community tank...
 
Holy cow the poor fish in that link!!! I've no problems with gore, but that actually made me feel sick.. The poor thing!!!
 
Upside down cats are from the african rivers, so should not be living with you african rift lake cichlids, as the upside down cats like lower pH, and softer water to the african cichlids higher pH and harder water.

A lot of there aggression comes from when you keep them by themselves, as they are schooling fish, and when in a school they tend not to be aggressive.

You can never trust a catfish with fish that can fit in it's mouth, and mountain minnows and fighters will be able to, so it will eat them.

The gold fish tank could work temporarily, but not long term as it si to cold.

Other then that good luck with the cat. :D
 
My mate had him with cichlids, I'm guna put him in with my goldfish. It's winter here so the heater in their tank sits around 22°c, however in summer all the tanks sit above 25°c. Last summer I had to freeze tank water (into slush) and add to all the tanks because they was sitting on 32°c. It gets warm enough in summer that I only keep the heaters in the tank in case the temp drops.

I'm guna try convincing my hubby to let me set up a community tank (large African tetras, dwarf cichlids etc) for him. He looks like this guyScreenshot_2015-08-28-09-16-20.png

Image is NOT mine, found it on Google.
 
That's not a Eureptus, just a upside down catfish.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=334

Looking at 4" max total length, likes to hang upside down like his name implies. Deco that allows him to hide under is great. If you have plants with large leaves he will hang under them, this being your best chance to see him otherwise he will hide a lot. He won't come out of hiding with lights on, except for a quick dash to grab some food and if you blink you'll miss it.

I haven't noticed any aggression at all from the few I've kept. I think of them as really big upside down corydoras. Just like cories, they do like to be in a group. Being synos they are ridiculously easy to keep. Tough as nails but really doubt they would harm anything.
 
So he can live with my betta if I get a bigger tank? Or will 120ltrs be big enough for them all? :)
 
Awesome. Thank you. :) there's an anubius plant in the tank that the betta likes lounging on, so he should be able to hide under that for now. Still guna try convincing the hubby to let me set up a community tank for him so I can slowly (these guys cost a fortune!) get more of them so he can have friends.

I've got him in a little 50ltr quarantine tank atm that I'm dosing with pimafix (half dose daily) to help his tattered fins heal up, he likes hiding in the fake log in there, I'm wondering if I should move it into the big tank with him once his quarantine period is over.


Also, I've named him Felix.. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between genders with these guys? Thanks.
 
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