On the right track!?!

[Parmy51432]

So today I brought back the convicts pacu's and oscars and picked up 4 africans and 1 channel cat (these fish all came from the same tank as the original ones. I did a 50% water change cleaned the gravel to perfection added a piece of coral i bought to keep the water hard for the africans. I also got a thing of brine shrimp for them to dine on and they love them!
I also noticed my ammonia level was high so I bought some stuff to lower it !

[JustOneMore20]

I have bad news . Channel Catfish get several feet long and shouldn't be kept in aquariums IMO (and shouldn't be sold at LFS either). It will get huge and will eventually eat your other fish that it can fit in its mouth. I'd take it back.

Otherwise, you are on the right track. Check your water daily and do water changes when the ammonia or nitrites are above 1ppm.

Also, since the Africans you already had are Mbuna (and I'm assuming the new ones are too), they should be fed a mostly plant based diet. I'd pick up some food that is Spirulina based for their main food. Too much protein (like brine shrimp) can cause Malawi Bloat, which isn't good. Pick up some Spirulina based flake or pellets at the LFS when you take the catfish back.

[swordtailbreedr]

yeah justonemore is right the catfish really isnt apropriate

[Parmy51432]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

I have bad news . Channel Catfish get several feet long and shouldn't be kept in aquariums IMO (and shouldn't be sold at LFS either). It will get huge and will eventually eat your other fish that it can fit in its mouth. I'd take it back.

Otherwise, you are on the right track. Check your water daily and do water changes when the ammonia or nitrites are above 1ppm.

Also, since the Africans you already had are Mbuna (and I'm assuming the new ones are too), they should be fed a mostly plant based diet. I'd pick up some food that is Spirulina based for their main food. Too much protein (like brine shrimp) can cause Malawi Bloat, which isn't good. Pick up some Spirulina based flake or pellets at the LFS when you take the catfish back.

oh i forgot to mention,the catfish goes in the pond during the summer,I have always had a few in thier.

[JustOneMore20]

Awesome, as long as you have some where for it to go. And I hope the pond is big.

I'm not sure what kind of decor you have in your tank, but I'd put in lots of rock work. The Africans you have are rock dwellers so rock is a must. Something like limestone would be good if you need to harden the water.

[Fishfirst]

I also have to add that synodontis erupturus or something of that nature would be the optimum type of catfish for your tank.