Pictus Catfish

[Didge007]

I'm shifting my pictus to a 2.5ft tank (80 odd litres) in a week or so (once it's finished it's cycle) and I have a few questions. For starters, how on earth are you meant to catch the thing? Obviously, I know not to use your common net (like everyone I learnt the hard way, also learnt that they chirp that way too - wierd). I can't shift things around too much in his current tank to catch him in a container as he shares it with a BGK and I don't want the knife fish getting stressed out (BGK isn't shifting tanks).
Secondly, is there anything else I should be doing with the tank to make him more comfortable. I haven't quite finished decorating the new tank (I will be soon). It currently containers natural gravel, a 'fake' slate rock cave and two plants. I plan on adding more plants, but I don't want to add too many. Would he like another cave to have options for his territory? Or will one cave be sufficient?
And finally I want to know if I have a few territory options, could I add another small catfish? I assumed not, but wanted to ask anyways. He isn't very aggressive, he only gets a bit peaved at the moment if the gourami or the rosey barbs get into his territory but he's never attacked anyone just swam towards them. He even shares the area with the BGK!! Mind you he hides behind the base of a fake plant and BGK hides under one of the leaves.

Help please!

 

[Bazza57]

I'm shifting my pictus to a 2.5ft tank (80 odd litres) in a week or so (once it's finished it's cycle) and I have a few questions. For starters, how on earth are you meant to catch the thing? Obviously, I know not to use your common net (like everyone I learnt the hard way, also learnt that they chirp that way too - wierd). I can't shift things around too much in his current tank to catch him in a container as he shares it with a BGK and I don't want the knife fish getting stressed out (BGK isn't shifting tanks).
Secondly, is there anything else I should be doing with the tank to make him more comfortable. I haven't quite finished decorating the new tank (I will be soon). It currently containers natural gravel, a 'fake' slate rock cave and two plants. I plan on adding more plants, but I don't want to add too many. Would he like another cave to have options for his territory? Or will one cave be sufficient?
And finally I want to know if I have a few territory options, could I add another small catfish? I assumed not, but wanted to ask anyways. He isn't very aggressive, he only gets a bit peaved at the moment if the gourami or the rosey barbs get into his territory but he's never attacked anyone just swam towards them. He even shares the area with the BGK!! Mind you he hides behind the base of a fake plant and BGK hides under one of the leaves.

Help please!

I have a couple of pictus in my 212 litre tank. They are fully grown at 4.5" apiece & are quite sociable with the other occupants. When I have the need to catch them, I used two empty clear containers - the sort that you get fruit in, (grapes, plums & tomatoes) they are perfect for moving the fish without damaging them, I use one to "coax" the pictus towards the other container, they self drain too, so no - mess, I use them with my two Costatus cats too, you should hear them croak - just like bullfrogs
They are very active patrolling the tank (together) & I feed them on pellets, chopped prawns & assorted freeze dried foods. So, to answer your question - Pictus will socialise, just make sure the tank is not too overcrowded & allow for growth.

 

[Didge007]

Thanks He is by himself atm, so should I look at getting another Pictus or a different kind?

 

[Bazza57]

Thanks He is by himself atm, so should I look at getting another Pictus or a different kind?

I would go for another pictus, just to get a more natural reaction from the fish & should inspire confidence - they get much bolder & lose any shyness as they grow.
Although mine are fine mixed with 2 x platydoras costatus & a lone synodontis multifasciatus (this is a Tangyanikan catfish & should really be in with rift valley cichlids) because they are quite active & fast swimming, they don't get much bother from the other fish.
Just don't put them with small fish as they are predatory & will eat anything they can fit into their mouth -my two are very greedy & get the lions share of any food I add to the tank.

Don't forget to check out the "fish species index" section on this site, there is a very article for PIM PICTUS.

 

[Didge007]

I went to the fish species section & it says if kept in twos they will fight...has anyone had this problem?

 

[Squidward]

Most species of pictus get to about 20cm and are quite active. They also like to be kept in groups. I think your 80L tank is going to be too small for it long term.

 

[Didge007]

The one I've got only gets to 4inch I thought? I know my tanks not ideal but it's all I got, all I can do now is research before I get fish in the future & not shop at petshops who know less than I do stuck between a tank & a hard place so to speak.

 

[raptorrex]

Most species of pictus get to about 20cm and are quite active. They also like to be kept in groups. I think your 80L tank is going to be too small for it long term.

plus 1 for this, vital information.

The one I've got only gets to 4inch I thought? I know my tanks not ideal but it's all I got, all I can do now is research before I get fish in the future & not shop at petshops who know less than I do stuck between a tank & a hard place so to speak.

4 inches is small for a full grown pictus cat. mine got that size in under 12 months, and has grown to just over 6 inches.i aint got it now, but i suspect it will have grown a bit more.

 

[Didge007]

Pictus has shifted to 2.5ft tank & he's loving the wide open space! Hope he finds his little cave. I got to hear him chirp though ^.^