I just recently got a catfish for my 36 gallon freshwater tank, I see that he is very shy even though he is the same size or bigger than the other fish. He only is active at night or when I feed them he hides on the bottom...(should I get sinking pellets for him? there's no algae growing in my tank yet). Anyway, because he is so shy, I thought maybe he would like a couple of catfish in the tank but I wasn't sure if catfish are typically territorial with each other?
Most of the catfishes such as the smalller Cory's, spotted catfishes (Pictus),often seen for sale at fish stores, prefer to be in groups of five or more if space allows.
Larger catfish, depending on species, can be territorial as well as needing larger tanks to allow growth, and plenty of swimming room.
Upside down cat's are reasonable size fish for your size tank, and they too take comfort in number's.
Sinking pellet foods at night ,help ensure that the catfishes are getting their share of food rather than living off what they can scavenge while other fish are also feeding.
Many species of commonly offered catfishes,don't much care for temps above 76 degree's F over the long haul ,and often simply ,burn out within a few weeks ,month's as opposed to four, maybe five year's at cooler temp's and slower metabolisim. IMHO
I have a red tail and a marbled achara and they get along fine
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