upsidedown catfish

[simonblack]

i recently purchased a upside down catfish from my LFS after placing him into the tank i have not seen him since. Upon cleaning and sorting my tank he emerged only to disappear again. I have not seen him appear for feeding (in which most books said that they will normally come out for food). I have also read that they like to be in pairs is this the case or is this the normal behavoir of this type of fish?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

They are pretty reclusive fish, I see mine at feeding time but only the bigger one. I thinking having 2 would help as I has my smaller one by itself for a while and then I got a full grown one and I see them both a lot more. The previous owner said that he never saw the catfish and actually thought it was dead!! I see him all the time!

When I had the smaller one I never saw it atall and wondered how it fed, but it did. Just give it time and think of getting another if you have the room.

 

[Magnolia_360]

I don't think they like to move around very much because when I put it in my tank it picked one spot and only moves if it's disturbed

 

[maaudiosubs]

i got have 3 upside down cat fish and they still hide some but are out deering fedding alot. more would help some but not alot they like to hide.

 

[noelberg]

this is the unfortunate side of seeing really cool catfish and bottomfeeders at the lfs in a totally bare tank. the lfs usually won't tell you "good luck finding your raphael/USD/banjo/Kuhli/blue botia once it's in the tank"

best thing to do: throw these guys some pellets at night

 

[Doggfather]

yes, when the lights go out, feed the catfish then, that way other fish don't see the food easily

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think you should persevere. I did and now both mine come out during the day for food. The same with my pretty shy plecs.

 

[harried_mom]

Hi Simonblack,

As I am sure you know, you have a pretty full tank there. As your fish grow, you are going to have to be very diligent about changing the water to keep it stable. Remember the guidelines of 1" of fish per gallon.

Good luck!

 

[simonblack]

thanx for the advice everone. I think with the fish i have in the tank i will wait and see if he or she appears.

thanks

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Just been looking at your sig simon. Do you have plans to upgrade soon? Clown loaches get to 8" (grow slowly after 4"). Also, you have a fair few bottom dwellers (cories and loaches) for a 16g and cardinal tetra get to 2" each!

 

[darksheep]

i ve got one and what can i say hes boring, hes a noctural fish, so he only comes out at nite, mine hides behide the heater lol, but if i wake up at nite and look at the tank hes active, i usually feed him twice a week, waiting for a couple hours after the lite goes out then putting in some flake for him