Catfish for West African Tank?

[slimbolen99]

I've got three 75 gallon tanks setup for some Nanochromis species...one species for each tank. Dither fish will be different types of west african barbs and killie fish. I'm looking for a catfish from the congo region that is easily available...any ideas? Certainly don't want anything that gets very big...I'm thinking the upside down catfish Synodontis nigriventrus, but not sure?

Here's a picture of one of the tanks. I'm on my way to the grocery store to get some coconuts to split in half and create some caves covered in java moss to add to the tanks, and the plants need to grow in.

 

[tjudy]

If you want fry, do not get synos. A nice westie catfish that is diurnal and active are debauwie cats. They are usually not to hard to find. A school of 6-12 looks best.

 

[gerald]

Agree with Ted - Syno's are likely to raid the caves at night and eat cichlid eggs/fry, although S.nigriventris or S.contracta would probably be the least threatening Syno's. If you want to try them, put some floating black plastic pipes in for the UD cats so they wont be vying for the Nanochromis caves on the bottom. I once had a S.greshoffi that learned to chase mouthbrooding Geophagus (red humps) at night until they were exhausted and gave up their eggs.

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, about the only cat that would be usable in a breeding set up would be one of the non-bottom dwelling forms, as Ted said. If it is only a community set up, then go with any smaller WA cat. My latest mantra: "A community tank is not a breeding tank ... a community tank is not a breeding tank ... a community tank is not a ...".

 

[slimbolen99]

The more I think about it, I think you guys are right. Although the primary purpose of these tanks is to be "display" tanks, I would like to see some fry, even just a few. The worry for me with the synodontis was that they would steal fry and eggs...so that answers that. I think I will pass on the debauwie cats, as I already have a mid range dither fish in each of the tanks.

Very good suggestions for others too look at, however.