Tips on Pictus cats?

[Styx]

I recently got myself another pictus cat. I had one before and it died of ich very soon after I bought him. I've read that stress will make them more susceptible to ich. What can I do to keep him calm, healthy, and alive? I need all the tips you have on caring for a new pictus.

Other info that might help you help me: The tank, for now, is a 5 gal (will be upgraded when he grows). It has a filter, heater, and an air pump. It also has two plastic plants, a couple other fish, and some seashells. For tonight, I've turned off the filter because there is a very strong current in there; I wanted him to calm down and get settled. Tomorrow, I’ll turn it back on.

BTW, I have no idea if it's a him or a her, any way to tell?

 

[digital_run]

First off, a 5gal tank is a very small tank and you shouldnt keep it in there for very long if you want to keep him healthy. Pictus cats need to be kept in groups of atleast 3 though more is always better. When kept single they are very shy and startle quit easily. They are carnivores by nature and should be kept on a diet suited towards them. Brine shrimp/blood worm/and pellet food made for carnivores is the best.

 

[Malawiandude]

LOL no offense bud but that thing is way way to small for him, a min, of 20L for babies. They are all wild! never been able to breed in captivity. They like current since they are from the rivers. lower ph levels or nuetral, and make sure u feed some live food once and awhile, u really need to upgrade like now.

 

[Styx]

He is a baby. I don't even think he's an inch (actually, he’s about the size of a medium sized female guppy). Anyway, yeah, I know a 5 gal is very small, but my large one is filthy and he's little so I'm sure I can get away with it for a bit while I set up the larger one and let him settle.

I’m just worried about the stress and him becoming ill with ich.

 

[CFC]

To be happy pictus cats should be kept in groups of at least 3, when kept singularly they become shy and nocturnal, feed the pictus enough food each night to make its belly swell like it has swallowed a marble and do water changes often enough to keep nitrates below 40ppm (with predatory catfish i recomend 20% twice a week).
I would advise removing the sea shells from the tank, they may leach calcium into the water will will raise the KH and pH to levels which will make the pictus uncomfortable, ideally the pH of the water should not be above 7.5

 

[Styx]

Oh, thanks on the seashell tip. I've never heard of that, but I'll make sure not to put any in with him.