How big does a pictus get?

I have a pictus catfish in a 45 gallon. I have heard that this is too small. As of right now he is maybe 2 inches? He is in a tank with 2 platys, 6 black neon tetras, 1, 2 inch? Rt shark, a gold gourami and 8 kuhlis. *I am hoping to get a 75 soon for my rt shark so don't worry.* I have heard all sorts of differ t things about pictus cats. What size tank do they need to be in, how big do they get, do they need to be in schools, and is he eating my black neons, as two have gone missing. And lastly, do I need to rehomed him?

 

They only get around 4". They need a large tank (48" length and 18" width minimum) because they need to be kept in groups and they are very active. They will eat fish that can fit in their mouths.

I wouldn't keep them with your RTS either - RTS are aggressive bottom dwellers, and won't get along with the active, bottom-dwelling pictus. I wouldn't keep pictus or RTS with kuhlis either. Kuhlis are timid, peaceful fish and won't do well competing against the pictus or the RTS.

So out of the 3 bottom dwellers you have, I would move the RTS or the pictus to the 75 gal and rehome the other species. If you're keeping the 45 gal, you can leave the kuhlis in there. If you're not keeping it, then rehome the kuhlis or move them to the 75 gal and rehome the pictus and the RTS.

Once you decide what fish you're going to keep, we can help you stock appropriately around them.

 

They only get around 4". They need a large tank (48" length and 18" width minimum) because they need to be kept in groups and they are very active. They will eat fish that can fit in their mouths.

I wouldn't keep them with your RTS either - RTS are aggressive bottom dwellers, and won't get along with the active, bottom-dwelling pictus. I wouldn't keep pictus or RTS with kuhlis either. Kuhlis are timid, peaceful fish and won't do well competing against the pictus or the RTS.

So out of the 3 bottom dwellers you have, I would move the RTS or the pictus to the 75 gal and rehome the other species. If you're keeping the 45 gal, you can leave the kuhlis in there. If you're not keeping it, then rehome the kuhlis or move them to the 75 gal and rehome the pictus and the RTS.

Once you decide what fish you're going to keep, we can help you stock appropriately around them.

Ok. So is the pictus most likely the culprit of the missing black tetras? I am definitely not going to rehome my kuhlis but I am saving up my money for a 75 gallon if my parents will let me buy one I got the pictus from petsmart so do you think that they would take it back if I brought it to them?



If I was to move the RTS to a 75, what other fish would you suggest? I have always loved loaches but I don't have a big enough tank now to get any other species. Do you know of any good ones that I could put in the 75 with the RTS?

 

Pictus have two varieties; one stays relatively small (just under 5"), the Columbian reportedly can reach over 7". These are nocturnal predators, so are almost certainly eating your Tetras. They prefer to hunt in groups of 5-6. Not really aggressive to anything they can't swallow whole.

 

Pictus have two varieties; one stays relatively small (just under 5"), the Columbian reportedly can reach over 7". These are nocturnal predators, so are almost certainly eating your Tetras. They prefer to hunt in groups of 5-6. Not really aggressive to anything they can't swallow whole.

Should I give him back to petsmart?

 

Ok. So is the pictus most likely the culprit of the missing black tetras? I am definitely not going to rehome my kuhlis but I am saving up my money for a 75 gallon if my parents will let me buy one I got the pictus from petsmart so do you think that they would take it back if I brought it to them?

If I was to move the RTS to a 75, what other fish would you suggest? I have always loved loaches but I don't have a big enough tank now to get any other species. Do you know of any good ones that I could put in the 75 with the RTS?

Always stock for the tank you have, not the one you plan to get in the future. I would rehome both the pictus and the RTS at this point. You can get another RTS when you get your 75 gal tank. It's not fair to the fish to keep him in a tank that's too small while you save up.

When you do get the 75 gal, what about a large school of tiger barbs with the RTS?

 

Always stock for the tank you have, not the one you plan to get in the future. I would rehome both the pictus and the RTS at this point. You can get another RTS when you get your 75 gal tank. It's not fair to the fish to keep him in a tank that's too small while you save up.

When you do get the 75 gal, what about a large school of tiger barbs with the RTS?

Ok. Will do. How many barbs would you recommend? Do those get along with any smaller species of loaches?


Oh and do you think I could just give the pictus back to petsmart?

 

Ok. Will do. How many barbs would you recommend? Do those get along with any smaller species of loaches?

I would keep the barbs with the RTS in your 75 gal. They're boisterous fish, and may outcompete the kuhlis for food (same problem with other loaches).

Oh and do you think I could just give the pictus back to petsmart?

You'll have to ask them. What are you going to do with the RTS?

 

I would keep the barbs with the RTS in your 75 gal. They're boisterous fish, and may outcompete the kuhlis for food (same problem with other loaches).


You'll have to ask them. What are you going to do with the RTS?

I'm not sure about the rt shark yet. It is big enough that it will kill all the tiny rt Sharks at petsmart but small enough that he minds his own business in my tank.

 

I wouldn't worry about him at Petsmart - they'll find a tank for him. He really should be returned though. Your tank isn't big enough, and since you don't know when you'll be getting the 75 gal, it'd be best to return him and get another one once you get the new tank.

 

I wouldn't worry about him at Petsmart - they'll find a tank for him. He really should be returned though. Your tank isn't big enough, and since you don't know when you'll be getting the 75 gal, it'd be best to return him and get another one once you get the new tank.

Ok great! Thank you!