Pictus Catfish question

It would be wise to add the next fish on a slower basis to avoid ammonia and
nitrite spikes.
They are probably swimming a lot as they are cruising for food. They
probably are not strictly a bottom cruiser, so you will have to enjoy them
as they swim where they want. Be very careful about the size of the dwarf
cichlids you add, as Pictus cats can get big, and their ability to gulp a
fish down is bigger than you might think.
The silver dollars should be safe but they will be terrors on your plants.
Depending on which species you get, they and the pictus might put too much
of a load on your system.
With a fairly large fish load, you will have to keep up with maintenance
such as water changes. That group of fish will eat a lot of food, producing
a lot of wastes.

Jim

Dean deanw at charter.net wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I Just got six Pictus cats the other day for my 55 gal tank and I have to
say I love them. What a joy to watch when they are fed some bloodworms.
Quite a feeding frenzy. I have a question for those who have these though.
I
only have had them for two days and they don't stay on the bottom that
much.
I wish they would stay there because I think they are much more fun to
watch
cruising along the bottom. I have to say though, these are the first fish
I
have put in my new tank that I just finished cycling. I plan on putting
five
Silver Dollars and a few dwarf cichlids in there with the cats. When I put
these other fish in there, will that force the cats to the bottom or will
they continue to swim in the middle or near to the surface? I do have
plenty
of hiding places and caves on the bottom. I just hope they eventually
settle
at the bottom. Appreciate any info anybody has. Thanks.

Dean