Catfish Help-- I Have A Crazy Fish

[evelester]

Hi everyone, I have learned alot in this forum already and decided to de-lurk and post a question, I got a catfish about 3 days ago at our LPS, he is in a fairly new tank (almost 2 weeks) with 14 other fish, all small tetras except one male beta and a sucker fish. I am not sure what type he is, maybe the pictures will show (below) - but he seems healthy except he is not staying on the bottom, it is not like he is not swimming well, he goes down there for a few minutes, eats something, rests and then back to doing laps around the tank, behind the bubble curtain and even swims upside down on the surface of the water. I know he isnt hungry, I am almost feeding them too much, down to twice a day now, I started with three till I researched more and saw that wasn't good. He also eats some of the alge pellet that i drop for the sucker at night (till the tank is established so he will eat something-thats a whole 'nother post though LOL)

anyway, my main question is why is he doing laps, is it normal and if you recognize what type, let me know. (PS- the tank is a ten gallon - upgrading to a 25 or bigger within a few months

(pics are still uploading, as well as a video - i will update when I get the uploaded

thanks in advance!

 

[evelester]

ok, here is a decent picture and a video-- he is not as active today as yesterday, maybe he is calming down-- or camera shy! LOL

if that dosent work, try this-- (can make it bigger here)http/picasaweb.google.com/evelester/Fish...656991518600594

and the video
http/picasaweb.google.com/evelester/Fish...660092484988322

 

[CFC]

That is a Hexanematichthys seemanni, formerly known as Arius seemanni until it was recently re classified and commonly known as the Columbian Shark catfish. These are large growing schooling predatory catfishes which as sub adults and adults must have salt in their water to survive, only juvinile fish are found in freshwater. Link to planet catfish index entry here http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=700

As you can see this leaves you with a problem, you now have a fish which 1, needs to be with at least another two of its own species to settle and feel comfortable. 2, will eat any fish which it is able to fit into its decievingly large mouth. 3, is going to grow to at least 25 centimeters (10") and need a tank that is at least 4x2x2 feet, and 4, needs to be moved to a brackish tank as soon as possible and ideally should be in a high end brackish to marine tank by the time it is full grown.

The best solution for you now would be to take the catfish back to where you bought it, prehaps with a print out of the planet catfish index page, and complain that you was not informed you was buying a marine fish and are not able to keep it. Swap it for something more suitable such as a trio of Corydoras or a Bristlenose plec.

 

[evelester]

wow, thanks so much! he will be going back today. I cant believe they told me so different. (of course it is the same person that told me I could put the fish in the tank the day after I got it) no more getting fish without researching on my own, I can not trust the LPS. thanks for the help!

 

[evelester]

thanks again, I did as suggested, they took him back with no problems and apoligised for their error (i printed the page LOL)

I traded him for a gravel cleaner thing - a siphon hose, I think I have too many fish as it is, the tank is not big enough for him too.