Do your pictus catfish come out during the day?

I was debating getting some pictus catfish.

I was wondering if they are strictly nocturnal, or if they come out and are active during the day?

Also, can they be kept in a group of 3, or do they need a larger group to be happy?

Thanks!

 

Those I have had in the past, only came out at night or when food was present.
Be aware these fish get large and are predators.

 

Dino is right. Some get up to 40cm long, and are really true predators.

Keeping 3 minimum is recommended but i've seen them more active in larger groups, as is any shoaling fish.

 

I have only one but he is one of the most active fish in the tank.He is tough but he doesn't bother my small black neons.He is a lot of fun to watch.I never heard that they should be kept in 3 or more but I guess maybe its true.

 

I have only one but he is one of the most active fish in the tank.He is tough but he doesn't bother my small black neons.He is a lot of fun to watch.I never heard that they should be kept in 3 or more but I guess maybe its true.

Most people say 3 at least, but they are schooling fish so I believe the convention of bare minimum 6 should be applied here. How big is your pictus, because as he gets bigger the chance of it becoming a predator to your neons...

 

He is still small about 3 inches.I fear that the neons are in danger in the future.I would love more but the space in the tank is limited.If I notice a neon gone I have a tank for them.My pictus seems to stay bottom and the neons stay a top.

 

He is still small about 3 inches.I fear that the neons are in danger in the future.I would love more but the space in the tank is limited.If I notice a neon gone I have a tank for them.My pictus seems to stay bottom and the neons stay a top.

Yeah as he gets bigger your neons will appear very snack like to him. I recommend preventing that from happening rather than doing something about it after something happens

 

Mine were always out as well. Although they are control freaks over their OWN area, they did well with other cichlids. They also will do fine with 1 or more.

 

Are albino corries and pictus catfish similiar? My Corries stay out all day and night. I see them slumbering in the corner together occassionally.

 

Are albino corries and pictus catfish similiar? My Corries stay out all day and night. I see them slumbering in the corner together occassionally.

Albino fish, any in general, aren't great fans of sunlight especially, but also lights from the tanks. Their skin is more sensitive to the wave-particle nature of light, as are albino humans. They will naturally adapt to this by preferring less light.