Pictus Catfish in a fully planted tank = bad idea??

[Mulla]

Hi all,

I've recently planted the remaining 40% of my 55G which has amongst other inhabitants 2 fully grown pictus catfishes.

After the planting they seemed to be unable to swim so freely as before due to the density of the plants. They do swim around the stems but seemed to bump into them when they want to make a U-turn.

I was wondering if it's a bad idea to fully plant a tank with largish fish in it? Or would the extra hiding places created by extra plants be of more benifits to them?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[Seaman]

I have a planted 55 also tho its only about 50-60% planted, but my pictus always hides in this one spot in the plants....he will have a harder time manuvering but a lot of times when i have my night lights on he swims over the plants also....im sure its not exactly what he likes but im sure its ok. Ya on one site it said that they need quite a bit of either rock work or plants to hide in, but also some open space to swim freely. so a fully planted tank doesnt sound ideal....but i think they will be ok.

heres mine and they are ok:

 

[Mulla]

Thanks Seaman for the reply. Nice rockwork in your tank btw.

I'm monitoring their behaviour and they looked ok. Just like your pictus catfish mine also just stay in the same spot during day time. I can't really seem them at night beucause I don't have a night light myself :sad