Which catfish do you like to pair with large new worlds?

[cubano]

What species of catfish have you had success with large new world's such as Texas Cichlid and Red Devils?

I'm thinking of getting some catfish for some of my 75g's that house 1-2 mdeium/large cichlids. as well as a pair of channel cats i have coming this week.

Columbian Shark's eventually need brakish water right? and how do pictus fair with cichlids?

Thanks in advanced :)

[Harry Tolen]

I use the larger synodontis species with success. Particularly S. decorus, but also S. ocellifer and S. angelicus.

[ScottoMacD]

Some of the larger armoured catfish will work.

I have kept Hoplo cats with some of my bigger cichlids with no problems

[marsupialvomit]

would cory cats survive with African Cichlids?

[cubano]

I personally have no experience with africans.

Harry Tolen: Those species are rare are they not?

Scott: Armored Catfish = Pleco's? or those little black cats i always see that are actually labeled as "Armored Catfish"

thanks

[ScottoMacD]

Hi cubano

Yes when the term is used some plecos are usually included.

The fish and the family I was refering to was the Armored Hoplo Catfish and similar species.

Here's a pretty good link on them.
http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Siluroidei/Hoplosternum_thoracatum.htm

Here's a picture.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/rjeb/hoplo.jpg

Mine has lived with my texas male and my big synspillum female with no problems.

Great fish. I plan on getting more as soon as I get the store to order some.

marsupialvomit:
As for the cory question. They may have a problem adapting to the very high ph of an african tank. Plus cories tend to need very good water quaility to live and thrive to their fullest.
They also would be a constant target of some of the bigger meaner cichlids. IE bumblebees
Which could in turn cause some serious problems in the tank. Especially if the cories get eaten and lodged in the other fishes mouth.

[Harry Tolen]

A couple of the better retailers in my area carry a wide selection of synodontis on a regular basis, so I would say that they aren't rare, although they aren't common enough to be carried at PetCo, either.

On the whole, I'd say that in my experience synodontis cats are slightly more durable than hoplos, although both are fun to own.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[ewok]

i haven't tried it.... but what about some types like "raphael" (striped/spotted), asian upside down (mystus), and pimelodus like 4 line (blochii?)....

they seem like they could work........

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

my pleco seem to be ok with the jags and texas but ive lost one before to a jag

[PumaWard]

I am having success with a pair of bullhead in with my 3 convicts which are gaurding a brood of freeswimming fry. I don't know how big the bull head will get, they are wildcaught from the area and the largest bullhead I have seen caught around here was around 16inches... 14inches seems to be more the normal (though I am sure they can get much larger).

[Makino]

as well as a pair of channel cats i have coming this week

just in case you didn't know, they have been known to grow to 30ins

[Catlid]

i like the spotted pictus cats, i think they only get about 6 inches, some sites say 10in so i dunno, as for that channel cat, i know the state record is like 50 pounds.

[cubano]

Yeah the state record here is around 40 pounds, as I fish for them often I'm well aware of their potential size, but I promised a friend I would keep them as long as I could, when that time comes they'll go to the 3 acre pond :)

[Catlid]

Originally posted by cubano
Yeah the state record here is around 40 pounds, as I fish for them often I'm well aware of their potential size, but I promised a friend I would keep them as long as I could, when that time comes they'll go to the 3 acre pond :)
i been trying to catch them for the longest time. Any pointers?

[cubano]

Channel Cats?

8lb test on a spinning rod, #2 - #4 hook, sliding bell sinker on the line above the hook with a split shot about 10" up the line from the hook to stop the bell sinker from sliding to the hook.

Bait: Nightcrawlers, Corn, or sometimes Chicken liver.

Fish on the bottom still in slower moving water.

For larger channels and flatheads in rivers its a whole different story, but for average size channels in ponds, lakes, dams, and creeks thats the easiest way.

ps. Fish from may - oct, dusk and dawn are great times, as well as during the night or during the day in thunder storms.

Bright Clear days suck for catfishing.

Hope that helps.

[Catlid]

what about winter time? I wanted to plan a trip with my gf to catfish. I tryed fishign for them where the bass were douring the day with some chicken gizzards, no luck. ONly time i came close to catching one was at night with fish liver. it took my line out and it finally broke, not sure if it was a cat but i dont think they got trout that big in the lake so..

[cubano]

whats the "winter" weather like there in CA? Im from PA, and winter is a no no for fishing for catfish here in the below freezing weather

[Catlid]

well where i am the days are about 50 degrees or so, nights get cold tho.

[cubano]

when the water temp is below 55 degrees, catfishing is usually not to productive.