Are My Fish Compatible?

[Efishent]

I recently got 3 fish; a red tailed shark, a pictus catfish, and an angelfish. However, after doing some research, I am wondering if this is a good selection. Normally, this setup would seem fine to me. The angelfish would drift around the top, and the red tailed shark and the catfish would each take a section of the bottom. However, things aren't really working out like that. I have a decoration in my tank with some artificial caves in it. One particular cave is the favorite hideout of both the shark and the catfish. I didn't think they would fight at first, but I'm not so sure anymore. The catfish is considerably bigger than the shark, and the shark is the most shy of the 3. The catfish is maybe 2 inches long when the shark is more like 1. This is why I'm not sure they will get along, even though I have not seen any fighting. Is there something I have to do about this, or will it be okay?

 

[sawickib]

How large is the tank their in?
 
Generally they should be fine given enough room and places to hide, i would try adding more hiding spots and moving around all the diecorations and see if that helps.

 

[Efishent]

Ok, thanks. The tank is 60 gallons, but I was planning on adding 2 or 3 more fish. I'll try to get some more hiding spots for them.

 

[sawickib]

Yea that size tank really shouldnt have problems with territorial aggression with fish of that size, I would definitely try getting more decorations for them if possible.

 

[Jeremy180]

Do you have any idea what type of catfish it is in this tank, a couple of the ones sold as "aquarium fish" can grow big enough to swallow a 10 gallon tank whole (no, I'm not exaggerating)!
Edit: nvm, I see now that it's a pictus, please disregard this post.

 

[Byron]

I am afraid I must caution you on this combo of fish, it is not good.
 
First, on the pictus catfish, Pimelodius pictus.  Peaceful but it is predatory and as it matures it will eat small fish. Should be kept in a small group of at least 5; single fish may pine away. Tankmates should not include sedate fish like angels, discus, gourami and even cichlids as these will be pestered by the nocturnal habits of this catfish, nor nippy fish like barbs.  Medium-sized characins, larger rasbora, rainbowfish are suitable.
 
The Red Tail Shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, this is not a true "commjunity" fish so it must be carefully considered.  I would not expect it will be happy with the pictus as they mature; "happy" is a rather polite way of saying expect serious trouble.  The "shark" will get to five inches and individual fish can be very nasty to any fish they take a dislike to, and assuming the shark is healthy and behaves normally as it grows, it will not welcome the pictus within its territory and this will likely be the entire tank substrate.
 
The angelfish is fine, though I prefer to maintain this fish as nature intends, in a small group, but that has other issues so I won't press the point.  But if you keep it, your tankmates need to be carefully selected and many fish are not suitable companions due to their activity or nippiness.
 
I do not consider a 60g tank suitable space for the pictus (which also should attain five inches) which really should have a group, nor the RTS.  I may be able to explain further if asked.
 
Byron. 

 

[AquariumGuides]

With a school of six pictus catfish if that is what you choose to increase it too (as recommended by Byron) 60 gallons may be too small of a tank size. If possible I recommend increasing the tank size to 75 gallons as a minimum.
 
However, if you do choose to keep the catfish with the shark and angelfish, I highly recommend you make a heavily planted tank with driftwood, rocks, and a number of other hiding places. That way if the fish decide to fight they all have places to hide if necessary.