Animal Stories - People Talking About Catfish



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Latest Animal Stories on Catfish (725)

Gwen - 2010-08-28
I am new too the whole fish thing. I have had 2 comet goldfish and 1 common goldfish for about a year. About a week ago I got a Bristle nose Catfish, and now one of my comets is bleeding and its tail is torn, and the Bristle nose is a little tattered too. My other goldfish appear to be fine. Do you think that the water quality is just bad, or that possibly those two were fighting? While I wait for a response, I am going to clean my tank and add some salt. By the way, thanks for the advice, I didn't know you needed wood or to add food for Bristle noses.

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Editor's Note - 2010-08-28
It sounds like the two of them were most likely fighting. Bad water quality most likely would not cause bleeding and torn fins. Are there any rocks or ornaments that have sharp edges? Those could also cause injury if the fish swam too close. If you observe either of the fish picking at each other in the future, consider adding plants or ornaments that would provide a place for the fish to hide in.
Shay - 2010-09-22
Catfish (bristle nose included) don't do well with salt.
I would vote against that.
Anonymous - 2011-01-28
omg don't add salt plecos are freshwater fish....................
John - 2011-06-20
You need to have a special kind of salt for freshwater fish too. -_-

Anonymous - 2011-06-13
Can I keep these wonderful catfish with Sorubim lima? What other fish could live with Banjos?

What fish can be kept with Sorubim lima?

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-14
Per Animal World "Banjo Catfish are compatible with all sizes of community fish, even the smallest of tankmates. They are hardy and adjust to a variety of aquarium conditions. Because the Banjo Catfish is a nocturnal, it feeds at night. It is also a burrower and prefers a sandy bottom and light vegetation". I could not find a Sorubim Lima so do you want to tell me more about that kind of fish to check it out?
Anonymous - 2011-06-14
Sorubim Lima
Duckbill Catfish

This is a member of the group commonly known as shovelnosed catfish. It is a nocturnal species that likes to stay hidden among plants and tree roots during the day, its black, white, and brown striped color pattern providing perfect camoflauge. It lies with its head pointing downward, poised and ready to pounce on any unsuspecting fish that passes by. During twilight hours it is more adventurous, and, still in the inverted stance, will stalk smaller fishes that are preparing to settle for the night.

Size:
Possibly the smallest of the shovelnosed catfish at 12 in (30 cm)-males and females.
Diet:
In nature, a carnivore that predates on smaller fish. Adult fish can be difficult to wean onto proprietary foods, but small specimens are more adaptable and will accept tablet food and earthworms.
Distribution:
Fairly widespread in the Amazon Basin.
Water:
Clean, good quality, soft to medium hard, slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.3-7.6), but will accept a wide range of water types. 73-86*F
Decor:
A sandy substrate (good for Banjos too) planted with broadleaved plants and furnished with tree roots or branches to create hiding places (also good for Banjos).
Behavior:
Likes to hide among tree roots or broadleaved plants; not a particulary active species. Although a predator, it is perfectly safe with fishes too small to fit in its mouth (Hmm, I don't think that a 12in Duckbill could swallow a 6in Banjo. Especially with the Banjo's pectoral spines. What do you think?).

Catfishes24 - 2010-01-06
I have Emerald Cory fry! I had a pair of adults, the only fish in my tank, and yesterday I saw the tiny fry darting around the bottom of the tank! I am so excited! I have kept fish for about 6 years, and this is the first time that any have reproduced.

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louis kootz - 2011-06-14
I'm happy for you. I would be excited to. Have great day.

Brody L - 2011-06-09
I have this one albino cory that looks like its going to die. Its fins were all cut off, he looks like he's bloated or something, and he has this little transparent bubbly-looking thing right behind where his top fin would be. Also he doesn't really move much (like once or twice a day) and his breathing is harder than my other cory. The only other fish I have in my tank are my ottocinclus, which are peaceful, my other cory, which is also peaceful, and my mollies which are also peaceful, plus they hardly ever go to the bottom of the tank. I also have these tiny snails, but I don't think they would eat the fins off of a living fish. Anyone know what this might be?

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2011-06-10
It sounds like there could be several possibilities on what's wrong, or more than one thing could be wrong. It does sound like his fins may have been chewed or nipped - in which case you would need to determine what other fish is doing this. Or it could be due to fin rot. The bloated body sounds like it could be a bacterial infection such as dropsy and may need to be treated with antibiotics. Check out this page on fish diseases for more information: Fish Disease and Treatment

Alejandro Faz - 2011-06-07
Would anybody like to trade fishes? I have some pangasius catfish and I really don't like them. They get spooked very often so if you got any other fishes more better then these hit me up.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-07
Where are you?
Alejandro Faz - 2011-06-09
I'm located by 1960 and 45. My adress is 16934 reston glen. My number is 8325739605

Katie - 2011-06-06
This is more of a question than a comment... I have just recently gotten an albino molly and I had decided to pair it with an albino cory... They seemed to get along at first but just today I noticed the cory had what looked like an injury on his head. It doesn't look too bad and he seems ok otherwise but I separated them immediately. Would a molly hurt a cory like that? I read up on both of them and it seemed like they would be alright, but I am a beginner. I'm keeping them apart in any case I think. Is it ok to have a cory alone? Hope there are some answers. --thanks

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-06
Both the cory and the molly are supposed to be good community fish. They should get along without problems. I have included an article on Fish Diseases and Treaments just in case there is a possible disease (fungus) going on. Good luck and let us know. OK?

Dawn - 2011-02-08
Hi I was wondering what can you feed an ancistrus to eat and where can you get the food?

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Caleb - 2011-06-04
You can buy algae wafers from a pet store/aquarium.

fishgal 1 - 2011-02-02
Hi I was thinking about getting a bristlenose, but I have a few questions:

1. How much do they cost?
2. How much does bogwood cost?

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Caleb - 2011-06-04
Usually, small bristlenose will cost anywhere between $6-$20 (AUD) medium to large will cost between $20-$40 (AUD)
While bogwood costs $5-$40 (AUD) (Depends on how big it is).
I hoped I helped :)

Dinza - 2011-06-02
Hello,

I have two of these sharks and I am looking to upgrade their tank. My sharks like to hang out in their cave/castle currently and will come out at night to swim or when we feed them; is this normal behavior for these fish? When we tried not having the cave or a place for them to hide they seemed to panic a little bit.
Therefore my question is, what kind of tank environment do these sharks like best and does anyone know a good place online (the pet stores in my area do not carry large caves) that sell large caves or places that they would be able to hide? or should I add more plants?
I'm open to anyones advice

thank you!

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-02
Silver-tipped sharks are nice guys and do well with other fish as long as they are around the same size. They can be agressive to smaller fish, considering them as food. Yes, they like their caves. They like plants and various places to hide and that is natural behavior. You are looking for a cave and these guys can get pretty large - about 2 feet - so I would think pretty difficult to find a cave that large. However, do not fret - make one. You can make caves all sorts by firmly stacking rocks together. You have to make very sure the rocks are held sturdy and do not fall with any kind of knock but make the hideaways from large rocks for the tank. So yes, I don't know how many plants you have in your tank but more probably wouldn't hurt but the cave is the best solution. Now just for the fish (given they will be 2 feet) and general rule is 1 gallon per inch when grown - you would need a 50 gallon tank at least because you have to subtract gallons for the caves and plants. I can see easily how this can be done with bricks but don't know if bricks have anything toxic in them that would hurt fish. I will ask the expert and write you back.
Charlie Roche - 2011-06-02
Talked to the experts and they said "When building caves, they can use silicon that is aquarium safe to adhere the structure" That would prevent the stones from falling and would be safe. I had asked about bricks and they said not safe. Good luck and have fun. OK

Simcha Younger - 2003-08-12
This is a nice fish, but it does not swim around much. It seems to spend all of its time trying to swim out of the aquarium. I find it hard to feed because it does not come right away.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-05-28
The Pangasius Catfish doesn't just hang out on the bottom bottom like most catfishes, but rather occupies the middle of the aquarium. They are constantly on the move and will occasionally go to the surface for air. These guys also stress out at times if you tap on the tank or with suden movements etc. Could you be tapping on the side of the tank or splashing which would make him want to jump out or appear to jump out. They do come to the surface for air.

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