Catfish Compatibility

[bordercollie05]

Hi,

I've been keeping fish for just over a year now, but haven't extensive experience with catfish. I've recently become really interested in them and have been browsing planet catfish more than I should be. Anyway, I have a platydoras costatus. He/She is probably around 4 inches now and I've had it for a year. Pierre, as I call him, has been living peacefully with some "spotted cories" (from petsmart) for the whole time I've had him.

I recently got a 55 gallon and would like to move him from the 28 bowfront as I think he would appreciate the extra length. However I'd really like to keep some pygmy cories in the tank too. Would he do alright with them do you think? I'm looking at the Corydoras habrosus if I can find them.

Other fish I'm considering are a second p. costatus or the spotted raphael, agamyxis pectinifrons. I'm also interested in having a small pleco, like the clown pleco. I know for sure I can't have all of these, but what do you think is the best combo? Would a small pleco get along with pygmy cories? The tank will be planted, so I'd like plant friendly fish.

Also, is it true platydorus costatus eat snails? I haven't had anything other than mystery snails with him (which oddly enough seemed to get eaten, though I could never tell if they died for other reasons first or not).

Thanks for your help,
Laura

 

[prankster705]

Here's a late reply...

I have no experience with keeping them with corydoras, they should probably be fine though as corydoras are too big to be eaten

I have no experience with platydoras costatus + agamyxis pectinifrons either, but imo, it should be fine as well since both are similarly sized non-aggressive cats

In my experience...

platydoras costatus + platydoras costatus = good mix, no aggression whatsoever between my 2.

platydoras + clown pleco = no big issues either - clown plecs can be territorial and this is the case for mine, however the doradid is perfectly equipped to handle it

As for snails I have no idea, never tried it, their bigger cousins (uranoscopus irwinii) have been found with stomachs full of snails - so if the snails are small enough that there might be a chance they'd get eaten...

 

[bordercollie05]

Hi Prankster,

Thanks for your reply. I'm thinking probably either platydoras costatus + largish cory and then either an apamyxis pectinifrons or another platydoras costatus eventually. Upon my decisions with other fish in the tank, I don't think any kind of pygmy cory would be a good choice.

Thanks again!

Laura

P.S. Still curious about the snails....I'd like MTS for my planted tank...

 

[prankster705]

MTS are usually fine with almost any fish since their shells are really thick, dunno if it'd be safe from swallowing though.

 

[bordercollie05]

MTS are usually fine with almost any fish since their shells are really thick, dunno if it'd be safe from swallowing though.

Ah cool. I'll try it. Worse thing that happens is I lose a few snails, I have a bunch in another tank, so I'll just throw a few in at first. Thanks again for your help

Laura

 

[bordercollie05]

MTS are usually fine with almost any fish since their shells are really thick, dunno if it'd be safe from swallowing though.

Ah cool. I'll try it. Worse thing that happens is I lose a few snails, I have a bunch in another tank, so I'll just throw a few in at first. Thanks again for your help

Laura

 

[smegforbrains]

I wouldn't keep a Clown Plec with any Pygmy Cory species. The Clowns are way too fast and will regard them as food.


The Raphaels will be fine though, as long as they are not starving. I've known mine to become cannibalistic if they don't get their regular meals (RIP Panda Corys).

 

[bordercollie05]

I wouldn't keep a Clown Plec with any Pygmy Cory species. The Clowns are way too fast and will regard them as food.


The Raphaels will be fine though, as long as they are not starving. I've known mine to become cannibalistic if they don't get their regular meals (RIP Panda Corys).

Sounds good, thanks!

 

[prankster705]

Clown plecos are far from predatory - my 2 have been co-existing with baby Apistogramma njesseni (1/2" in size) just fine. Their mouths aren't designed for predation, they're designed to rasp away at stuff, the biggest compatibility issues with them come when kept with large flat fish with loads of mucus (such as angels and discuss), which cories are certainly not.

You sure it was your raphaels who killed the corys? They just seem kinda incapable lol, also they seem kinda impossible to underfeed since they're greedy eaters.