Pictus Cat

ScubaSteve

ScubaSteve

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#1
May 11, 2003
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#1
The Pictus Cat is a great fish with a lifespan of up to 8 years. My question is how big do they get ??? Some websites profile them growing up to 4 inches while others say they max out at 10 inches. If their growth is a reflection of tank size, mine is a 55 gal.


I've only kept a Pictus Cat once before and this was for a short time since I returned him for eating my neons when the lights went out. What is the smallest type of fish that can be kept with them? Would Cherry Barbs and Rasboras be a no-no?
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
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#3
Aug 26, 2003
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#3
We have had this question a couple of times. I think they get to 6-8 inches. I believe they will eat anything they can fit in their mouths, which are apparently quite big. I wouldn't put anything under 3 or 4" in with them (which rules out cherry barbs and rasboras).
 

ScubaSteve

ScubaSteve

Large Fish
#4
May 11, 2003
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#4
The profile on this site says max 4-5 inches, while it seems the consensus is that it gets larger.

Aquahobby has it maxing out at 10 inches.
 

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Angelfish

Angelfish

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#5
Apr 14, 2003
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#5
I'm sticking with 6". I have had my pictus for over a year, he grew for some time, but has been about 6" for a while now and I dont think hes getting any larger.
They are great fish to have! Although I do belive a little prone to illness, I had to treat mine for six weeks at one point, but now hes as good as new :)
I wouldnt put rasboras or cherry barbs with a pictus, becasue that is expensive food ;) Rosy barbs should be okay though if you want something in that family =)
 

O

offish

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#6
Jan 3, 2004
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#6
6" is a fair bet. I had a pair that reached about that size some years ago.
As for the fish Q, do be fooled into thinking they will eat whatever they can get in their mouths - they'll eat it regardless. I had a 4" pic eat a 2" lance fish, the tail was sticking out his mouth for about 4 hours!
55" gal will be fine, but although you can keep them singularly, they look great in small groups.
P.S. before I get hate mail the lance fish was frozen and packed!
 

F

fishkeeper

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#8
Jan 4, 2004
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#8
Well, I have one, and I have kept him with guppies, platies, swords, feamale betta, I think thats it for smaller fish. And the only fish gone missing was the guppies. But my bro-in-law said that was my pelco eating them. My pictus is about 3 in. And is it true that they 'moo', or what was that wierd noise coming from my pictus?
 

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M

Miss Marigold

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#9
Jan 17, 2004
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#9
My FAVORITE fish was (until he died) a pictus cat. I called him "Kitty-Cat," and he lived up to his name, too, because he ate seven half-grown swordtail fry at one point in time...but he was still my favorite!!!(don't ask me why) Funny thing is, he left all of my other fish alone--including even my guppies. So, I think I'll leave the discussions about what pictus cats eat up to you guys...
 

ScubaSteve

ScubaSteve

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#11
May 11, 2003
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#11
What are good tankmates......

Would tiger barbs be considered food ?

I was thinking about three other options for tankmates:
a ) Angelfish
b ) Gouramis
c ) Cichlids (either Rams, Kribs, Firemouth)

Any other suggestions are welcomed....
 

S

Swimz

Small Fish
#13
Feb 5, 2004
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#13
I've got quite a few Giant Danios and Rainbows that *could* fit in my Pictus' mouth, but they've been good neighbors for quite a while. Also have some Texas Cichlids and a CAE, but the Texans are much larger and the CAE is faster than lightning so they aren't potential meals either.

I would keep Pictus Cats away from smaller, slower moving, bottom-mid stratta fish.

I think they would look cool with a Marbled Angelfish or a Firemouth. Probably the Ram too, those are just cool lookin' by themselves ;)
 

S

Swimz

Small Fish
#15
Feb 5, 2004
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#15
I guess after a while I get "unsubscribed" from all of my threads here??? Just a couple weeks ago I found my CAE on his side with a gray stomach, he died shortly thereafter. However not to hijack the thread, but he was very large, around 4.5" and still didn't bother my pictus cats. I guess fish are just unpredictable !

Back to the pictus cats - they're still doing fine. I noticed one likes to swim vertical with his head pointing down, right in front of my castle. The other swims around and around and like every 3rd time "tags" the other one :) They are fun fish to watch, and they keep the bottom VERY CLEAN !

(sorry to dig up the old thread).....

BTW: ScubaSteve what did you end up getting?
 

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