Personally I would recommend the use of suitable aquarium sand such as BD Aquarium sand although if you are using under gravel filtration this would not be suitable , or rounded fine gravel. Catfish with damaged barbels do not tend to fair very well, and inevitably do not live for too long. So what tricks do I use in order to see my catfish? As mentioned earlier I use plastic pipes positioned so that one end is up against the back of the aquarium, which means that whilst the catfish is hiding I can still see it.
I use rocks that are positioned so that the cave that I have created has only one means of entry and escape i. I choose bogwood that is both interesting for anyone looking at the aquarium, but that provides a home to the catfish where they are comfortable and I can still see them.
I have also come across some fish keepers who have mirror backed tanks in order for them to view any fish that tends to hide away.
So you have your chosen set-up and your catfish hides away, and you can see it, but it doesn't come out! I have nearly always encouraged catfish to come out, which tends to coincide with feeding them. It is probably a good suggestion at this point to say that you should provide an open area within the tank. It is in this open area that I would suggest that you feed your catfish. Eventually when they are hungry enough they will venture out for something to eat.
Initially I would offer granular foods or sinking catfish pellets, which give off a strong smell in order to prise them from their retreats. Once accustomed to the fact that this is the area to obtain a meal they should over time venture out for all kinds of foods, and should eventually recognise the hand that feeds them.
I hope that this article has been of use to you, and that it will encourage you to keep some catfish in the future if you are not already doing so. My aim was to offer suggestions as to how to overcome the problems with catfish that are shy and retiring, so that you the aquarist can see them and appreciate them.
If my suggestions work for your catfish then I have succeeded. Has this page been useful? And as a new owner of the fish, it might be frustrating to see this happen. In other cases, you will have to investigate further and find possible reasons for this behavior. One of the primary reasons why your catfish might start to hide is due to aggressive tank mates. Every animal species will get intimidated by larger, more aggressive species.
And the same goes for fish, especially catfish, which can be easily agitated by aggressive fish species. The main solution for this is obviously to keep only the friendly fish next to the pictus catfish. Also, larger fish than the catfish can be an intimidating prospect. So you should aim to keep the fish with the catfish that are friendly, and of a similar size to the catfish.
You will see an increasing hiding behavior with your catfish; some fish might also get more aggressive and territorial. And the catfish will usually require quite a lot of space to live. If you are keeping them for breeding, then you should aim for very large aquariums. But in most cases, you will need relatively large tanks in order to accommodate your pictus catfish. They are shoaling fish, and they feel much safer when they are kept in a group.
So a larger tank will be required in order to keep them safe, but also to give them more space to live. It's like the catfish's first week at school. If you just give it some time, I am sure it will be fine. What is your 'Catfish'?
Cheffi Fish Herder. Maybe your catfish is feeling insecure and might light some catfish friends. Joined Jun 17, Messages Reaction score 0. You must log in or register to reply here.
Most reactions Latest Discussions W. Rebuilding an old abandoned 29g. Replies 6 Views Today at AM wgoldfarb. How to transport a lot of fish? Until you can identify and correct the problem, the new fish will continue to remain hidden. Sometimes the addition of a new fish will bring out aggressive tendencies in tank-mates that were not formerly bullies.
Established fish that have previously staked out a territory may now be feeling the need to defend their territory from the crowding newcomer. A great way to tone down aggressive behavior by established fish is to rearrange the decor in the aquarium. Once you upend the former territories, all fish must start fresh; there are no more familiar spaces left for one fish to defend. Don't be surprised, however, if all of your fish become afraid of the new surroundings at first and go into hiding.
While you will have cured the bully problem, it will take a few days for the new territories to sort themselves out. Many fish do not feel comfortable unless they have a place or two of their own where they can hide whenever they feel threatened. Providing more hiding places that are always available will often cause timid fish to stay out in view more of the time.
Once they feel safe, fish like to look around too! You can stack rocks to form caves or place pieces of clay pots overturned on the bottom. Add pieces of driftwood with arches or holes, or use any other structures that allow all sizes of fish many more options.
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