New fish what is needed?

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

I have guppies in a freshwater tank. I live in small farming town and have a passion for caring for my fish friends. I want to raise a Pictus Cat fish in my other 10 gal tank ( lest I think it's 10 gal how ever (L= 2' 8" W= 11" H= 1' approx). I have a ton of questions if you all would be willing to help me.

Pictus catfish
1. Is 10 gal too small (do they grow to size of tank)
2. How do I breed them ( I hear they are hard to breed)
3. What do they like for environment sand bottom or rocky both maybe?
4. Do I need to worry about ph levels?
5. What do I feed them?
6. If I place one in my guppies tank will they help thin the numbers of guppies. I feel this is better then flushing Guppies...
7. If you can think of anything I have not mentioned about raising these new fishes please do tell all. Thank you
8. Is my fish tank about 10 gal?

 

[Essjay]

The tank dimensions you give work out at 18 gallons not 10. But I'm afraid 18 gallons is still too small. Pictus need a tank at least 48 x 18 x 18 inches. Most of the information you need is here https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pimelodus-pictus/. You'll see in that link that it is not thought that pictus have bred in fishkeepers' tanks.

You need to look at hardness levels rather than pH. The pH can be slightly outside their recommended range provided the hardness (or GH) is within their range.

 

[Metalhead88]

Just to add in, fish will indeed grow to the size of their tank.

This however is absolutely terrible advice. Their bodies will stop growing, but their internal organs will continue to grow, chocking them from the inside out and leading to a long and horrible death.

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

Just to add in, fish will indeed grow to the size of their tank.

This however is absolutely terrible advice. Their bodies will stop growing, but their internal organs will continue to grow, chocking them from the inside out and leading to a long and horrible death.

Oh wow thank you for that information I did not realize how harmful that is

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

The tank dimensions you give work out at 18 gallons not 10. But I'm afraid 18 gallons is still too small. Pictus need a tank at least 48 x 18 x 18 inches. Most of the information you need is here https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pimelodus-pictus/. You'll see in that link that it is not thought that pictus have bred in fishkeepers' tanks.

You need to look at hardness levels rather than pH. The pH can be slightly outside their recommended range provided the hardness (or GH) is within their range.

Just want to thank you so much for 1st one to answer questions ^-^

 

[Byron]

I agree with other members here. We should be able to suggest suitable fish for your aquarium size but we first need to know the GH (general hardness) as essjay mentioned, and the pH too. These can be for your soource (tap) water. As you are in Canada (like me), see if your local water authority (if you are on city water) has a website; most will post data including GH and pH.

 

[Colin_T]

... Their bodies will stop growing, but their internal organs will continue to grow, chocking them from the inside out and leading to a long and horrible death.

That's not quite true. Fish that are confined to a small space will not grow to full size. Their body and organs will remain proportional. However, the stress of being confined to a small space can shorten their lives.

You could look into pygmy Corydoras. They are reasonably easy to care for and breed but not that readily available. Get a group of 6-10 of them, feed them well and do lots of water changes and they might breed for you.

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

Will they (pygmy Corydoras) feed on guppies and not mind a 18 gal tank? In part I want to thin my guppy numbers and have a kind of fish to breed and sell is my intentions without getting into salt water fish.
Loving all the replied keep them coming

 

[Byron]

Will they (pygmy Corydoras) feed on guppies and not mind a 18 gal tank? In part I want to thin my guppy numbers and have a kind of fish to breed and sell is my intentions without getting into salt water fish.
Loving all the replied keep them coming

No, pygmy cories will not eat guppy fry; the cories are fairly small and the fry are large enough to easily escape pygmy cories.

We don't have the GH and pH of your source water yet. Guppies are moderately hard water fish, but pygmy cories are soft or very soft water. This combination would not be good for one or the other.

 

[Retired Viking]

Since your from a small farming community do you have your own well water and is it hard or soft water? (I have been there and done that)

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

No, pygmy cories will not eat guppy fry; the cories are fairly small and the fry are large enough to easily escape pygmy cories.

We don't have the GH and pH of your source water yet. Guppies are moderately hard water fish, but pygmy cories are soft or very soft water. This combination would not be good for one or the other.

I'm not sure the GH and PH. The water I used came from store. I'd have to test the water. And not equipped to do that yet.

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

Since your from a small farming community do you have your own well water and is it hard or soft water? (I have been there and done that)

I have a mix of store bought water (no minerals) and very harsh tap water with very small amount of bleech to make it safe for drinking.


Please note id have the aggressors placed in guppy tanks for just thinning purposes and transfer them to a more suitable tank after.

 

[Retired Viking]

I have a mix of store bought water (no minerals) and very harsh tap water with very small amount of bleech to make it safe for drinking.


Please note id have the aggressors placed in guppy tanks for just thinning purposes and transfer them to a more suitable tank after.

I have been thinking of doing the same thing with my guppy/shrimp tank, way too many fry but I am concerned about the shrimp. When I was living in a farming commuity the water tasted terrible and there was a nitrite problem

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

I have been thinking of doing the same thing with my guppy/shrimp tank, way too many fry but I am concerned about the shrimp. When I was living in a farming commuity the water tasted terrible and there was a nitrite problem

Ya guppies seem to adapt well to there environment it maybe more of an issue with other kinds of fish. Research or trail and error might have to happen before doing a mix of water types. I'm sure many are more knowledgeable on these kind of factors.

 

[Freshwater Sucker Fish]

For your shimp problem either transfer them or have a breeding tank set up for the guppies. And transfer guppies. ^_- I think the breeding tank would be easiest.