Pictus catfish controversy

Hello so I had recently picked up a pictus catfish from my LFS and was told they are community tank fish. I didn’t do any research on them until I got home and one of the first things I had read was that they are shoaling fish, kept in groups of at least 2 or more. Then I was also reading up on how they can be aggressive towards other fish and are also predatory, eating anything they can fit into their mouths.
While at the same time I’ve also read how some people don’t see any aggression from them and that they are pretty compatible with other fish.
So after looking up on them I returned to my LFS to get another Pictus Catfish to bring home and read it will also help bring out the energetic cat than to just have one.

My question is will these cats be able to go in my 75gal. Community tank and not cause any harm or in the future when they get bigger. I have a decent amount of plants and hiding spots but Its currently stocked with 1 sub adult male BN pleco, 1 male betta, 13 corydora of different variations, and my northern map turtle (he is not a threat whatsoever) and a couple ghost shrimp but I wouldn’t care as much if they had got eaten, my main concern are my corydora being harmed (and also my betta when they sleep at night) as I do have a couple about an inch and a half or so.
I’ve read from some people that they can be housed with cory while I’ve also read that they cannot.
The pictus are pretty young and small maybe 3-4 inches or so, they are currently being quarantined. But what do you guys think I’d appreciate it, thank you

 

Got to say I’ve never kept turtles and fish together. Yes I’ve had map turtles. Ok pictus cats. I’ve kept in many community tanks. Never had a problem with them. Never had them eat another fish. They never stop moving. I also don’t remember having 2 I allways had one. They should be great in a 75g. Is the tank filled all the way or just half way for the turtle to get out and rest under a turtle light?

 

Got to say I’ve never kept turtles and fish together. Yes I’ve had map turtles. Ok pictus cats. I’ve kept in many community tanks. Never had a problem with them. Never had them eat another fish. They never stop moving. I also don’t remember having 2 I allways had one. They should be great in a 75g. Is the tank filled all the way or just half way for the turtle to get out and rest under a turtle light?

Thank you that's sounds great, but yea the water level is about 4 inches from the top of the tank so it’s mostly full and I do have a docking station for him to get out and bask. I guess I got lucky with my turtle, I first introduced a young albino BN pleco to get him used to fish, and I’m positive he’s never harmed a fish. The corydora aren’t bothered by him because they spawn eggs in the same tank lol

 

The pictus may eat the ghost shrimp, but that is about all i'd be worried about.

 

The pictus may eat the ghost shrimp, but that is about all i'd be worried about.

Sounds good thank you!

 

Pictus are "gulp" predators. That is, they suck in the prey when they open their mouths. This feeding method doesn't require injuring the prey first. Such predators are often not evident by their daytime behavior. However, at night those long whiskers come into play so that they can find small enough prey in the dark. If small fish disappear, you probably won't see it happen.

In your tank, Ckline , I agree that the ghost shrimp are likely going to be food, but if there gets to be too much of a size difference, a sleeping Betta would also be considered fair game. If the Cories are too small, you may lose a cory and a pictus as the spines on the smaller cat would get caught in the throat of the predator.

 

I kept 6 Pictus at 5” in a 75 gallon with no problem but I only have a juvenile Jack Dempsey 4” . I’ve never had an issue with them harassing my JD or vice versa but I would guess the shrimp is going to be food.

 

I just added 3 to my 75 gallon they are very active like them a lot they do eat small fish I lost a lot of guppies to the last ones I had years ago. I have no small fish this time I would think the betta and cories would be safe till they grow bigger anything that fits in there mouth is fair game also the mouth is bigger than you would think.

 

Pictus are "gulp" predators. That is, they suck in the prey when they open their mouths. This feeding method doesn't require injuring the prey first. Such predators are often not evident by their daytime behavior. However, at night those long whiskers come into play so that they can find small enough prey in the dark. If small fish disappear, you probably won't see it happen.

In your tank, Ckline , I agree that the ghost shrimp are likely going to be food, but if there gets to be too much of a size difference, a sleeping Betta would also be considered fair game. If the Cories are too small, you may lose a cory and a pictus as the spines on the smaller cat would get caught in the throat of the predator.

Ok thank you I’ll take that into consideration

I just added 3 to my 75 gallon they are very active like them a lot they do eat small fish I lost a lot of guppies to the last ones I had years ago. I have no small fish this time I would think the betta and cories would be safe till they grow bigger anything that fits in there mouth is fair game also the mouth is bigger than you would think.

Alright I’ll take that into consideration, my bettas pretty big full grown, the smallest are my cory, they are currently being housed with small ghost shrimp and none of them have seem to gone missing just yet