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I'm looking to redo my tank and I would like to get some Pictus Cats. Would Tiger Barbs be good tank mates with Pictus Cats are would they nip at their whiskers? If Tiger barbs would not be a good tank mates how many Pictus Cats could I fit in my 29 gallon tank alone.

Tiger barbs would be good with Pictus cats.
I think in a 29g, you could have 2-3 pictus,
and a group of 8 tiger barbs.


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I wouldn't advise Pictus Cats because they get to be too big for a 29 gallon and are way to active for that size tank. But Tiger barbs wouldn't nip the cats fins or whiskers. Maybe go with a Red Tailed shark.

Gotta agree with Fish guy. I had one pictus cat in my 29 gallon. He was very active and annoyed the angels. They would be a good match for tiger barbs but I would say no more than one and be prepared to move it to a larger tank later.

"Talk is cheap. Action can be almost as affordable"

I wouldnt say that physically pictus cats get too big for a 30, but their behaviour just might. Mine shoot around the tank at some velocity on occassion, and a small tank would mean some serious nose impact.Pictus rarely exceed 4 inches in aquarium situations, so the quotes about wild size rarely apply, and since it isnt traditional dwarfing but more connected to chemistry and hormonal changes i dont think it would be cruel to keep them in a 30 gal, although obviously they will never breed. Tiger barbs and pictus should be fine though. Pictus are so brusque and fast moving that any fin nipping the barbs might initiate will be quickly nipped in the bud, and conversely, the pictus wont bother the barbs. Sensible planting could avoid the impact issues, and the only consideration after that is the fact that sexing pictus is difficult, and two males in a 30 might fight a lot, they can be strongly territorial with their own kind. Try just getting one, it will be an unsurpassed scavenger for all the food the barbs miss.

Another tip is to leave clear areas at the tank bottom. Pictus that cannot have clear space without their whiskers touching anything tend to get a little stir crazy. The barbs really couldnt care less if the floor area is clear, so dont go ape on ground level decoration. Pictus are so voracious in their feeding however, that other fish like cories would be completely outcompeted. If your going to have pictus make sure they are your only real scavenger, although obviously a small algae eating plec might get on ok with them. I wouldnt recomment ottos with them though, as the ottos might suddenly disappear.

Make sure of the species though, and that they are truly pimelodus pictus, any other member of the genera will grow too large.

I don't think that the tank would be too small for the size of the pictus cat, but they are very active so a longer tank would be better for them.

I have one and it will dash around at top speed w/o warning and is kind of territorial about its rock. Mine also became extremely predatory and chomped a bunch of bleeding heart and serpae tetras, but the tiger barbs are fast and stand up for themselves so everyone should get along fine.

I would only have one in a 29 gallon though,, because they are such active swimmers.

IME as long as the pictus can have its own area/space and its roommates are too large to fit in its mouth or fast enough to get away all should be well. I recommend them, they are very fun to watch.

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