Catfish for a Malawi setup

[emmamc91]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there's any catfish that can survive and thrive in the same water parameters? With fish from lake Malawi ?

Just want something other than my Green Phantom Pleco, to keep the bottom quite clean.

Thanks

Emma x

 

[Ovid]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there's any catfish that can survive and thrive in the same water parameters? With fish from lake Malawi ?

Just want something other than my Green Phantom Pleco, to keep the bottom quite clean.

Thanks

Emma x

Synodontis Multipunctatas (aka Cuckoo Catfish) are great, but can be troublesome during Cichlid mating. They don't get huge either, which is a plus for me.

 

[Mogurako]

I wouldn't get a catfish just to keep the " bottom clean" they don't eat any poop or anything like that. If there is uneaten food then feed less.

Now if you want a catfish because they are some of the coolest fish ever! I would suggest any of the Synodontis family, they all get along quite well with cichlids and come in a variety shapes and sizes. I personally have synodontis eupterus and find them quite fun to watch.

 

[emmamc91]

By keeping the bottom clean, I mean when I feed cucumber and sweet potato, cichlids being very messy, get it everywhere, which is where the catfish would come in, also wanted some that wouldn't be too active at the night time which I've heard isn't good for cichlids...x

 

[Mogurako]

By keeping the bottom clean, I mean when I feed cucumber and sweet potato, cichlids being very messy, get it everywhere, which is where the catfish would come in, also wanted some that wouldn't be too active at the night time which I've heard isn't good for cichlids...x

Then like I suggested just simply feed less and the cichlids will go after any scraps left over from the main feeding, that's exactly what my Haps do. I have kept several types of Synodontis catfish with Peacocks, Haps and Mbunas to no I'll effect.

 

[emmamc91]

Catfish are really cool.. Would you recommend a group of at least 5?x

 

[Mogurako]

Yes, I always try to keep at least a group of 5 or more.

 

[emmamc91]

Think I'll try get 5 when I've recovered from this cycle of chemotherapy x

 

[christine2012]

My feather fin does amazing with my mbuna aside from feeding issues. They always eat all his food

 

[Mogurako]

Think I'll try get 5 when I've recovered from this cycle of chemotherapy x

Sounds like a good plan, any idea what type you want?

 

[emmamc91]

Probably S.Njassae or S. Multipunctatus... Both are lovely fish x

 

[Mogurako]

My vote would be for Njassae they are lovely fish.

 

[emmamc91]

Just hoping they stock them then x

 

[Ukdans1k]

I would suggest synodontis petricola, they are a little bit more expensive than other syno's but they don't grow to big. I have 6 with my cichlids, with no problems.