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I ran into these guys at my LFS; the price was very reasonable and I cankeep them with my fish and in my tank.
But what's the best way to keep them?
Do they live alone, in pairs, in schools?

If you can afford to keep more than one together in the same aquarium, and have the space, they'll cohabit nicely. However, provide plenty of cover and a surfeit of caves and other hiding places, so that they don't have to engage in foot-stamping over property rights!

You may find that if you plan the decor of your aquarium sensirtively enough, and provide them with caves and hiding places to spare, that they start to appear sociable and snuggle up with each other in a particular cave simply because they know they all have their own homes to go to, so to speak. But the aquarium needs to be moderately lit, not too bright, with good provision of shaded areas and caves or bogwood root tangles for them to explore. Floating plants to provide extra shade is also a good idea.

When you get them home, they'll take a while to come out. Acclimatise them by feeding just after 'lights out', as they are naturally crepuscular (tywlight active) fishes. Do this, and they'll eventually associate you with food, and start becoming bolder and more prominent during more human-friendly daylight hours.

However, since these fishes can reach 18 inches when fully grown, you had better start some long term planning now with respect to a decent sized home for them!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I understand that they're pretty much "stabile" and will remain in the same cave most of the times.
My tank is 5'12" long by 2'wide; would that do?

They prefer tanks with little ornamentation, save the neccesary caving and sand substrate. Feeding can be troublesome at first; in my experience with spinies, not one of my indivduals has ever initially eaten frozen foods, however, it is recommended that they be weaned onto them. Live food should be supplemented only as an occasional treat. They also do not need a ridiculously large tank for what would appear to be an abormally large fish--just give ample cover to fully conceal their bodies. Your proposed tank specs are likely fine for a pair.


Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 04-Mar-2005 18:13

Forgot the substrate. They like to bury themselves because they're ambush predators in the wild. * slaps forehead *

If your aquarium is getting on for 6 feet in length, that should be OK. I tend to err on the side of caution when planning anything like this for fishes I intend on keeping, so that I know I won't run out of space


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

well, a problem of a completely different nature came up.
I showed my wife a picture, illustrating what I was talking about.
She informed me staight out that she would be terrified to even go near the tank if I were to put eels in.

Problem solved; no spinies :#(

Last edited by tinfoil at 07-Mar-2005 01:59

Psst... They are not really eels.

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

that's what I tried to tell her.
No use;

they're creepy

end of discussion.

If that was me, I'd swap my wife for the spinies at the pet shop

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

We are referring to the Tire Track correct? I just started my new 55 gallon and it is nothing BUT dottybacks/spineys/eels. I love these guys and hardly anyone keeps them, especially the rare ones. So, they quickly became one of my favorites. Some people don't consider them true eels, but they move faster and are just as powerful and very curious about their surroundings...meaning, they WILL jump out if you don't have a solid top . When the 55 gallon is complete, I will be sure to post pictures. I've had experience with the following:

Tire Track
Zig Zag
Fire
Peacock
Striped Peacock
Starry Night

I love them all! Although, there are only four in the 55 gallon right now...Fire, Tire Track, Peacock, and Striped Peacock. I lost my Zig Zag and Starry night when they were real young. But, I do have a 3" Zig Zag in my 33L gallon until he gets old enough to be with the big boys. If anyone knows a place where I can get some information on the Starry Night, I'd appreciate it. About a year ago, on another forum, someone posted a small site about them, but I lost it during a computer crash. For those who don't know what they look like, they are long and slender like Tanginyikan dottybacks, have a dark gray and light gray color pattern with red/orange eyes. Absolutely beautiful...I must get my hands on another one. Yet, they seem impossible to find . Also, I'll have some Tanginyikans on the way to add to my collection and once I get my new place the 55 gallon will be replaced by 90 gallons! Oh yea, sorry for the long post...but, I love these guys and want to help anyone who is interested in them.

Calilasseia,
do you really think they would go for that?
She's a redhead, you know...
I always thought you had to pay to get rid of those