I was looking forward to getting a couple of catfish for my new 10 gallon tank, but then read in a Tropical Aquarium book that they come out at night and hunt for other fish and the owner should be very careful when placing them into a communnity tank. What are your experiences with catfish in this respect?
Catfish agressive?
- Thread starter Sunny
- Start date
It depends on the type of catfish. Most of the catfish that will actively hunt your other fish get way to big for a 10 gallon tank.
Cory catfish and pygmy corys are harmless to other tank occupants.
HTH
Cory catfish and pygmy corys are harmless to other tank occupants.
HTH
The catfish I had my eye on was only about three inches long (could be very young), it was dark and light grey colours. I am not sure about what breed they were in particular. Since I am new to this I am consulting my book and can't find the same breed in it. I am not yet accustomed to some of the fish names, so please bear with me. 
Cory catfish are the really only suitable catfish for a 10 gallon tank. Anything that reaches 3 inches or more relly isn't suitable for a 10 gallon tank, IMO.
Catfish are scavengers and not necessarily aggressive. But they will eat what ever fits in their mouths.
Catfish are scavengers and not necessarily aggressive. But they will eat what ever fits in their mouths.
I have an albino catfish that hunts at night. I'm missing a raspora, 2 danios, and numerous ghost shrimp. If it will fit, it will eat.
yeah most cats will get too big for a 10g. cory's are really cool though. i also think that o-cats are cool even if they are just algae eaters. another fish that's cool is the upside down catfish. they don't get that big i don't think and they are an interesting little fish.
i personally like pictus cats the best but they get 6" long and they will definitely eat smaller fishies. my shrimp all got chased from the bottom of my tank. 2 of them disapeared mysteriously.
i personally like pictus cats the best but they get 6" long and they will definitely eat smaller fishies. my shrimp all got chased from the bottom of my tank. 2 of them disapeared mysteriously.
What about suckermouth catfish? My book says they usually don't grow too big for the 10g in captivity and very peaceful. However the book also mentions special water for them.
What bottom feaders can you get for a 10g?
What bottom feaders can you get for a 10g?
suckermouth catfish sound like a pleco. And most of them get HUGE. Oto's stay small, but need to be kept in numbers and are really picky until acclimated. Kuhlie loaches are bottom feeders,funny to watch,safe with other fish, and also need to kept in numbers.
Generally suckmouth fish are either plecos as was mentioned or else the dreaded chinese algae eater. Not that they are a bad fish but they are always sold as peaceful and really aren't. And aren't good algae eaters generally either. Plus they can get to be 10 inches long.
The only catfish I still recommend is the cories. There are a few plecos that could work but it is really pushing things.
The only catfish I still recommend is the cories. There are a few plecos that could work but it is really pushing things.