Warm Water Catfish ?

[125gJoe]

Anyone know of a small sized catfish that will do well in water that is around 86 degrees F ?

[NJ Devils Fan]

There was another topic a few days ago that asked about the same exact thing. I remember someone said the a common pleco would be fine.

[125gJoe]

I don't trust a Pleco with Discus...

One of my catfish died.. ..maybe old age, or stress from the warm water...

[NJ Devils Fan]

Why not? A pleco can be kept will all fish.

[ChilDawg]

Not if we're talking about a common Pleco. They are notorious for aggression and, in another thread, there is mention of a Plec sucking on the sides of other fish. Otos have been implicated in such crimes against Discus as well.

80g Joe, I would be willing to venture that there is a Loricariid (Plec) to meet your needs, but be careful and do some thorough research for the good of your Discus...and perhaps post this in Cichlids in a thread called "Plecs for Discus", or something of that nature!

[NJ Devils Fan]

I don't know about that. My common pleco has never once shown any sign of aggression. I've had him longer then any other fish.

[ChilDawg]

Devils Fan, I think that it may depend on the individual fish more so than the species, then. If you think that a common plec will work and have experience to that effect, I will apologize, agree with you, but urge 80g Joe to watch any new acquisitions with vigilance in case the fish is an especially aggressive Plec.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I think he should try a bristlenose pleco if he isn't sure about aggression. I was reading up on them after I got mine on saturday, and it said that they get along with any kind of fish and will not show any aggression(except against other male bristlenoses if they are trying to take their turf)

[NJ Devils Fan]

I was looking around on planet catfish and found that a gold nugget pleco likes the warmer water. here is what I found.

Common Name(s) Gold Nugget Pleco
Latin Name Baryancistrus sp.
Synonym(s) These species are not formally described, so no synonyms (yet).
Water pH 6.5 - 7.5. Clear with a noticeable current.
Origin Rio Iriri and Rio Xingu, Brazil
Temperature 78 - 86 F
Size The adult size of L177 is unknown although it is likely to be the same as L18 / L85 which is around 12" - 14". Vires states that L81 is a smaller species and only reaches 7".
Sexing According to Vires, "Dimorphism is difficult to notice unless the fish are at full breeding size. Probably the easiest way to sex these fishes is by the shape of their foreheads. Males have a flatter, more leveled slope to their foreheads and are slightly wider. Females have a more rounded forehead and are slightly plumper when in spawning condition. There is no noticeable difference in odontodal growth in either species."
Feeding These fish are grazers, but not in the sense that they eat only vegetation. They actually sift and chew at the film of organic matter on hard surfaces in search of higher protein foods. In the wild this would constitute a variety of foods from small insect larvae and crustacea to other animals eggs and possibly even recently dead animals. With this in mind, frozen foods such as bloodworm and blackworm should be offered along with frozen prawns. Algae and plants are avoided, but cucumber and courgette appear on the (particularly of L18 / L85) accepted menu. L177 is the most ardent wood chewer (and also, strangely appears to be happiest eating flake food) but can be coaxed into eating the same diet as outlined above. Accepted food morsel size changes with age in all of these fish.
Breeding Again I can do not better than quote Vires, "After having spawned this species off and on for nearly 3 years, I had not found the requirement which would make it possible to easily duplicate the success until late last year. Each time, in the past, the fish would dig caves under the same piece of slate mounted driftwood and spawn in my Hypancistrus zebra grow-out tank. Whenever the pair was removed to another tank to attempt a spawning , nothing ever resulted from the effort. This is where my theory about the effects of current came in.
When setting up a new tank system, in an attempt to produce commercial numbers of several species, I intentionally oversize the pump to guarantee a good oxygen supply for all the fishes in the system. However, I had to find a place for my breeders while I made spray bars for the tanks and the fish were left overnight with only a direct flow from the water inlet. The next morning, upon inspection to see if everyone survived what I though would be stressful conditions, I found a cluster of eggs laid in the bottom of the tank in front of a rock. From that point on, convincing these fish to spawn has not been that difficult. Once a pair of fish is conditioned and have found a suitable spawning suite, the addition of a supplemental powerhead aimed at the cave is all that is required.
Raising the fry is not very difficult, but this is a long process. They will not reach beyond 2 inches within 6 months of age. Feedings should be given regularly with baby brineshrimp initially and the food size increase as the fry gain some size."
Compatibility Gold nuggets are territorial to other bottom dwellers and downright vicious to other gold nuggets. This stems from a desire to find and defend the best spawning cave, so take this into account if you plan to introduce these fish into a catfish tank. They do well in a community environment that fits their other requirements. Be careful with adult fish, they can kill each other in a crowded space.
Suggested
Tankmates Although strong currents are needed for breeding attempts, only good water quality and a high temperature are required for this fishes successful onward maintenance. Thus, characins are good biotope fish but you could look further afield at discus and gouramis. Most other cichlids tend to over compete for food with these fish, so be careful especially when introducing new gold nuggets.
"Furniture" Bogwood and rock caves. Plants are up to you but won't be molested by the fish.

[125gJoe]

I thought Pleco's are more of an algae eater. I see they eat other stuff too.. Wouldn't hurt to get a small one, and are they popular? Thanks for the article NJ Devils Fan!
Any other ideas for a 'warm water' catfish... ?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Joe, check out planet catfish (http://www.planetcatfish.com) to see what catfish like the warmer water. You will find a ton of info.

[fish dude]

get a few cory cats. they are very peacful. my lfs has a large tank a discus living with cory cats althoguh i though discus needed higher temps.

[mj20061983]

I don't know about that. My common pleco has never once shown any sign of aggression. I've had him longer then any other fish.
wow if you have a large tank introduce another pleco and you will see a side of ur fish you never thought possible.

[Yoemen]

plecs are really bad about sucking the slime coat off of cats.

[Toirtis]

Corydoras sterbai love the warmer water...they are regularly kept with discus.

[madroosta]

Common Plecos Are Ok, Mine Was Non Aggresive Till Put In To A Larger Tank, However, I Have 2 Which Are Ok But As Long As They Are Apart Not Too Much Agression. I Do Have A Sucking Loach Which Does Try And Suck 1 Of The Plecos, My Shrimp And Blue Lobster. The Loach Seems Quite Agressive, The Plecos Not Too Bad, My Upside Down Cat Is Awesome And Inquisitive Rather Than Agressive, My Corys Are Great And So Is My Albino Cat.

[drgold]

Hypancistrus species like warmer water, so do gold nuggets. Cories are not good, generally, but there are a few types that like it warmer. Sterbai, as mentioned, like warm water.

Definitely go to planetcatfish. the folks there really know their stuff!

[monkey_toes]

Microglanis poecilus or M. iheringi would fit the bill as small cats that do OK in warm water. They are, however, not at all fond of light. You won't see them often. Also, if you have any tetras or other fish under about 6cm, they'd likely be eaten. I think Corydoras sterbai might be better — more visibly active.