rescuing an emerald catfish (Brochis splendens)

cellodaisy

cellodaisy

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Jan 11, 2009
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Cincinnati OH 45219
meganstrickland.com
It looks like I'll be taking in an emerald catfish that someone has been keeping in a beta bowl. I haven't seen him yet, so I don't know what kind of condition he's in. He'll be dropped off in about an hour.

I know they're happiest in groups, but I don't have others of the species, nor do I currently have room to get a shoal for him. I figure that being "alone" in a bigger tank is still better than being in a beta bowl, but is there anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable?

For quarantine, he'll be in a 5 gallon hex (I know it isn't ideal, but it's all I have available). If he makes it through QT, he can go in my 30g with endlers, and the otos and L204s that are currently in QT as well. Would there likely be any problems with those tank mates?

I know I'll be really pushing the stocking in the 30g, but I'll get as much filtration going as I can and I'll be generous with the water changes until I can improve the situation. I have another 30g (currently in use as QT for the L204s) that I might be able to keep set up... if my partner doesn't kick me out first. I told him that one was temporary. :/

Suggestions welcome. And if anybody in southern NH or northern Mass has a shoal of these guys and would like to add one more, let me know!
 
Okay, I have the little guy. I haven't done a thorough inspection because I don't want to stress him out, but at first glance he does appear to be an emerald catfish, with no obvious injuries, about 2 inches long.
I'll try to get a snapshot or two in a little bit.

His prior home was not quite as bad as I feared. (The previous owner used it to transport him, so I got to see it.) It was actually a vase and maybe held 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon. There were some glass "pebble" in the bottom, so it probably wasn't completely devoid of beneficial bacteria. I doubt there was an actual filter per se. I didn't ask about water changes. I'm going to acclimate him slowly, in case he was in really old water. It wasn't cloudy, but we all know that doesn't mean much.

Still welcoming suggestions for keeping him (relatively) happy in the absence of a school, as well as any opinions on whether he'll be okay with the other stock.

The only ones that worry me at all are the L204s because they're also bottom-dwellers and pretty pushy with each other, but I know that most fish aggression is intra-specific, so they probably won't care about a different species.

Also looking for anyone in southern NH or northern Mass who has a school of emerald cats and would like (or be willing) to add one more. I know he'd be happier with friends.

Thanks everyone. I'll post pics as soon as I can.
 
It should probably be ok. I keep mine with bristlenose without issues. If i was closer, I would take him, I have a dozen or so in a breeding group in a 70g stock tub.
 
they are not aggressive, nor are most plecos particularly. How many 204s do you have? I really don't foresee any problems.
 
Pics, as promised. They're lousy, but the best I could do while he's in the bucket.

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msjinkzd said:
they are not aggressive, nor are most plecos particularly. How many 204s do you have? I really don't foresee any problems.
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I have 6, but they are juvies. It's hard to find females, so I got a group in hopes of there being one. They got pretty pushy with each other in the 10 gallon QT, so I dragged out my grimy spare 30g, cleaned it up, and moved 4 of them over. I left two in the 10 gallon because they were looking a bit pale and their dorsals were a little ragged, so I wanted to be able to keep an eye on them. They all seem to have settled down, so I think there just wasn't enough floor space in the 10, even for juvies. I will rehome some down the line if I really need to, but for now they seem okay with a little more room.

_MG_3778_sm.jpg _MG_3779_sm.jpg
 
A few more pics now that he's in the QT tank. I'm trying to decide if this fish is so ugly he's cute or just... ugly. :P I hope he'll color up a bit once he's feeling more settled.

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Yes, that's a (clean) coffee mug---the only "hiding place" I had on hand.


I'm slightly concerned that he tends to lean to one side when he's resting on the bottom, but he's fine when he swims... If anyone has thoughts or advice about it, please share.

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_MG_3784_sm.jpg _MG_3785_sm.jpg _MG_3786_sm.jpg
 
I think what you have there is C. aeneus. Brochis splenden have twelve rays in their dorsal fin. Corydoras have seven. He will be much happier in a real tank. Nice save.
 
Rjb3 said:
I think what you have there is C. aeneus. Brochis splenden have twelve rays in their dorsal fin. Corydoras have seven. He will be much happier in a real tank. Nice save.
Click to expand...

I think you're right. I guess that's good news, since C. aeneus is more commonly kept (I think) and I might be more likely to find someone nearby with a shoal that could use one more.

Wish I could edit the thread title. Oh well.
 
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