FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Pictus need a large space for a school of at least 3. Although a lot of sources say they only get 4inches tehy reguarly get over this and can get 6 inches, sometimes more towards 8! In the wild they will get bigger than that so a 30g is too small. 75g would be better suited for Pictus school (3 at least, 6 would be better) and a 55g should be ok as well.

also may I ask what is a Green Phantom?

Last edited by Perky at 06-Feb-2005 15:45

You know in advance what I'm going to tell you to do. Get 12 Pandas.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

How much would you pay?!?!

Last edited by C6R at 16-Feb-2005 20:51

Ottos, Corys, BNs, pitbull pleco, or a Zebra Pleco (if you've got the Benjamins)

Daka<<<<<

...I doubt she'll even have the chance of finding one. As a general rule, all hypans beyond queens and zebras are pretty uncommon to cross, since there is little demand for them. However, if you can find a couple, I'd pay you handsomely for them. :hint hint:

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 08-Feb-2005 00:09

How about a L-129? Stays pretty small, seems to be a good community Pleco. Of course if you are looking for algae eating, they won't do much of that, if any at all.

A thrity gallon is very different from a 29. IMO, you could easily house a pair of pictus (which, as stated, aren't incredibly active once acclimated), though I agree that pictus aren't exactly your best choice, as they're rather dull and drab looking.

Once again, pictus aren't schoolers, or shoalers for that matter. Once they get settled in, it's every fish for itself.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 07-Feb-2005 21:07

Ok, I have a Green Phantom (just never heard it called that )

Also I would not recommend a 3 4inch active fish in a tank of 29g anyway. Pictus are very very active and 3 would be so active that a 29g would just not be sufficient. A 55g then yeah, I don`t mind in there but also they would be better in groups of more than 3, 6 is better so 6 try and take this advise and don`t go for Pictus in a 29g!

There are three reported "variations", if you will, of pictus are imported; Southern Peruvian, Northern peruvian (i.e. Upper and Lower), and possibly a brasiliensis, which I think PC describes as Colombian--the species itself is pretty widespread, so I don't know. Adults from both Peruvian species reach reportedly smaller lengths, though personally between big and small spot pictus, I fail to see even a minor difference in length. IME, I haven't of an 8 inch long pictus--and I've kept countless adults for extended time periods. There are MANY pims that had similar appearences; maybe you picked up a clara cat, or something, but I doubt it's a pictus. In fact, I believe they were amongst the first fish I've owned. In the wild, they are not schooling fish, and are not especially social; once settled in, they seem to disperse throughout the tank and can even be moderately territorial towards one another. This goes to say that they should be fine as loners; and had my fair share of pictus.

Green phantom pleco/lemon green pleco/olive pleco/green pleco/green polka dot pleco/L-200 is an Ancistrid, more specifically an ancistrinae species from either the orinocco or the rio xingu (I believe it's the former, I'm not sure).

Wondering what kind of catfish or pleco would be recommended for a new 30 gallon tank -- there are so many varieties readily available, but i'm concerned about getting something that will grow too large or be too aggressive. Am thinking of adding 2 weather loaches when the water is ready.... Any suggestions would be appreciated.<br><br>thanks,<br><br>daisy

While a 29 is a bit lacking in length for pictus, I'd say a 30 gallon would be fine. However, I find pictus rather drab, and for a tank like that, I'd either get a shoal of cories or some pretty, small loricariid.

btw, green phantoms get too large for a 30 gallon.

Get a BN or a couple of Corydoras. You can have about 8 Corydoras.



http://www.deathbydyeing.org/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Pictus would never fit so a big No

I would say Corys and/or a small fancy Plec. Maybe something like a Queen Arabesque or Green Plec or any other small fancy Plec.

Cories or pictus cats

i vote corys
or you could get a rainbow shark

---

''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

I second cories, and/or a bristlenose pleco. Both have character, and are hardy fish. The cories are small and active, and bristlenose plecos are great algae eaters. They typically only reach four inches in size, too.

I'd hold off on the weather loaches though, since they can exceed nine inches in length. That is a little much for a 30 gallon tank.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

CORYS!!!!!!! they have much attitude, they stay pretty small, and they need a school of 6, but in a tank like that, i would go with 12