Pictus ponderings...

Vivid-Dawn · 02-21-2005, 03:25 PM

I really, really want a Pictus catfish. But I have a few problems.

Despite all the sources say they only get about half a foot (6 inches/15cm), they also say a minimum of 20 gallons. My tank is ten (and holding 8) gallons.

Sources say they need pH of 5-7 ...my pH is 7.6 and maybe higher, since I haven't gotten a 'high' kit yet.

I got little fishies, that might be good snacks. My neons must be young, because they're only an inch (2.25cm), and I doubt they'll get too much bigger. But they seem to like to swim in the 'middle' of the tank.

So! If the size of tank is because they're big 'wasters'/poopers, I do weekly water changes - so maybe I can swing that? If I went by the "inch per gallon" rule, it'd kinda be overcrowded, since I already have a Betta, Molly and I'm putting in 6 neons when they're finished with quarantine.
I'd acclimate it very slowly, so it won't go into shock...or should I try to lower my pH a bit? (especially if my readings really are off the chart).
Any chance my neons won't end up being snacks?

The main reason I'm pondering this, is I have a pleco. For one thing, he's ugly - and despite this, I heard tanks "need" algae eaters and scavangers. Then I heard they don't, if you keep up on maintenance. Plus, my husband's pleco grew to be a foot long, and is HUGE - I asked somebody at Petsmart how long until I need to move my pleco, and she said "oh, he won't grow...he'll sort of stunt off, and die" ... Feh!
So I'd get rid of the pleco, and get a pictus instead...because they're much prettier to me. But if it'll actually end up being more trouble/harm, maybe I'll just not have bottomers at all ;p

shev · 02-21-2005, 03:58 PM

Well the pictus probably wont eat the neons in the 10 gallon only because it wouldnt be able to grow large/fast enough, the 10 gallon will stunt him. which is why I wouldnt get it. i wouldnt mess with the ph too much.

Lexus · 02-21-2005, 04:03 PM

I had a pictus in a 10G once and he grew enough to eat my neons and other fish. i wouldnt get him plus he isnt a scavenger, he eats flakes and pellets like the rest of the fish

Teelie · 02-21-2005, 08:53 PM

They're also schooling fish and I would suggesr getting 5 or more.

02-21-2005, 03:25 PM	#1
Vivid-Dawn Blue world bungler! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Utah Age: 30 Posts: 225	Pictus ponderings... I really, really want a Pictus catfish. But I have a few problems. Despite all the sources say they only get about half a foot (6 inches/15cm), they also say a minimum of 20 gallons. My tank is ten (and holding 8) gallons. Sources say they need pH of 5-7 ...my pH is 7.6 and maybe higher, since I haven't gotten a 'high' kit yet. I got little fishies, that might be good snacks. My neons must be young, because they're only an inch (2.25cm), and I doubt they'll get too much bigger. But they seem to like to swim in the 'middle' of the tank. So! If the size of tank is because they're big 'wasters'/poopers, I do weekly water changes - so maybe I can swing that? If I went by the "inch per gallon" rule, it'd kinda be overcrowded, since I already have a Betta, Molly and I'm putting in 6 neons when they're finished with quarantine. I'd acclimate it very slowly, so it won't go into shock...or should I try to lower my pH a bit? (especially if my readings really are off the chart). Any chance my neons won't end up being snacks? The main reason I'm pondering this, is I have a pleco. For one thing, he's ugly - and despite this, I heard tanks "need" algae eaters and scavangers. Then I heard they don't, if you keep up on maintenance. Plus, my husband's pleco grew to be a foot long, and is HUGE - I asked somebody at Petsmart how long until I need to move my pleco, and she said "oh, he won't grow...he'll sort of stunt off, and die" ... Feh! So I'd get rid of the pleco, and get a pictus instead...because they're much prettier to me. But if it'll actually end up being more trouble/harm, maybe I'll just not have bottomers at all ;p __________________ I may be crazy, but it's kept me from goin' insane... ~~~ 50g/189L 3 Electric Yellow Cichlid (single male, pair female) 1 Kenyi Cichlid (male) --- 20g/75.5 1 fancy guppy (male) 5 long-fin Zebra Danio

02-21-2005, 03:58 PM	#2
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	Re: Pictus ponderings... Well the pictus probably wont eat the neons in the 10 gallon only because it wouldnt be able to grow large/fast enough, the 10 gallon will stunt him. which is why I wouldnt get it. i wouldnt mess with the ph too much.

02-21-2005, 04:03 PM	#3
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,406	Re: Pictus ponderings... I had a pictus in a 10G once and he grew enough to eat my neons and other fish. i wouldnt get him plus he isnt a scavenger, he eats flakes and pellets like the rest of the fish __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 5 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 9 Neon Tetras 13 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 2 Snails

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02-21-2005, 08:53 PM	#4
Teelie Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31	They're also schooling fish and I would suggesr getting 5 or more.

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