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I would like one more fish for my 125g tank, and I would like a catfish with a relatively small mouth(to not be able to eat other fish) and get fairly "large", but stay under 10" when fully grown(as this Dwarf variety gets to be).

A Google search led me to the Dwarf Giraffe Catfish. I really like it's coloration. It's said to have a smaller mouth than many catfish. It's water quality and temp. needs are similar to my other fish also.

So,my question is with lots of artificial plant and rock/cave cover for all my fish, as hiding places, do you think it would be compatible with the other fish already in my tank?
They are:
2"(and growing) Rosy Barbs...Congo Tetra(btwn 3 to 4", Bala Sharks (btwn 4 and 6"...and 3"(and growing)Silver Dollars, and 4" SA Stripefin Eartheaters...one pleco.

Your thoughts please?

i think they will be fine but i would watch the rosys they might get messed with. do u know where to find that catfish?

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=150
Above is a link to the giraffe catfish from planetcatfish.com.

From the sounds of things you can probably keep it in your tank without any problem. Just make sure it is small when you get it and remember it is predatory.

The LFS I worked at in MI had them at one point in time. Pretty neat looking fish.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks Guys,
One really good fish store I frequent has a cool owner that can special order just about anything for me, and has gotten some way out of the mainstream fish for me in the past.

He also is spetial order 4 of these hard to find fish for me.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f19/leopard-ctenopoma-latest-picture-30584.html
(scroll down just a little to see it (A Leopard Bush Fish)


But I won't get the "Dwarf" Giraffe cat until my Rosy Bards are their full 3" size, or move the Rosys to a different tank... or get a small/young "Dwarf" Giraffe cat (one of those things.

i really like the lepord bush fish they are fun to watch are u gona feed this guy live food. i have noticed that its really hard to get them off live food and on to stuff like krill so i have my friend give me some of his feeder shrimp and they love them.

Hmmm, Leopard Ctenopomas are nowhere near as rare as the Dwarf Giraffe Catfish. I actually see ctenopomas on a slightly regular basis; not always, but I see them frequently enough. On the other hand, I've never seen a dwarf giraffe catfish in person; this is generally the case for the non-Synodontis African catfishes (although I'm not entirely sure why). Kudos if your fish store owner can order it in, but request by scientific name! This is important because the "Giraffe Catfish" (Auchenoglanis occidentalis) is a 3 foot behemoth.

I don't know who said that the Dwarf Giraffe Catfish has a smaller mouth, but the fact it's species name is "macrostoma" means it's mouth is probably actually large.

BTW, this is what PlanetCatfish says about the Dwarf Giraffe Catfish: "Tends to be territorial and with it's predatory nature, not suited for the general community tank. Fares much better in an African concept tank with other robust fish. Not suitable with small fish."

Might I recommend you look into Synodontis decorus. I've got a hybrid, but it's not too different in care, just in appearance (the hybrid doesn't look as good... ). My fish is approximately 5-6", but I also have an adult feeder guppy that I got accidentally some time ago; she's still going strong! Another bonus is that S. decorus are more common and would be much easier to find or order in. Also, they are pretty sweet to look at. So far the "gentle giant" description I've heard given these fish has held up in my tank. Don't worry about water quality with this species either, they're tough as nails and will tolerate everything from normal community tank to rift lake.

As long as you have enough hiding places, another catfish will be fine. However, my Syno and plec have never fought.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

yea i had a graffie cat one time had to get rid of it when it got about 2 feet long and eating some of my cichlids.