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I was at Walmart, and of course I had to go look at the fish, and I looked at Pictus Catfish and thought.. what would good tankmates be with Pictus Catfish. Would Mollies and Platies work?

Mustang00

To start off with they are not what is considered a beginners fish. As my understanding goes I think they require different conditions to live bearers. Also if they are compatable fantastic as they would have a continual supply of live food. Another reason not to have them in a live bearers tank. They just love any thing that will fit into their mouths especially as they get bigger.

In short No for all the above reasons

Keith

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Ah, confusion reigns.

There are two "Pictus Cats". Neither of which will live compatibly with Platies and Mollies, because both "Pictus Cats" grow big enough to eat them.

The smaller of the two is Pimelodous pictus. This is a striking silver and black fish. But take a close look at that mouth. Even a juvenile has a fairly capacious gape. An adult will devour Platies and Mollies with ease.

The other "Pictus Cat", Leiarus pictus, is a juggernaut of a catfish that reaches two feet in length, and will outgrow your aquarium long before that stage. Adults are capable of swallowing whole a medium-sized Oscar. Do not buy one of these unless you know what you are doing, and can afford the truly vast aquarium it will require for long-term maintenance.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

...which is a shame, because they are STRIKING fish. IME, L. pictus is usually referred to as the sailfin pim, so there shouldn't be too much confusion per common nomenclature.

But Cass's info is pretty accurate; neither should be kept with livebearers, save large mollies/swords.


Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 05-Mar-2005 23:49