I currently have them split into two groups of 4 fish. One tank is 8.5 feet long and 300 gallons, the other is a 220 gallon. I have a 10.5 foot 200 gallon that will replace the 220 in a few months. I hope that with two long tanks I will be able accommodate two pairs and if I'm very lucky an extra female for each tank.
So far they have been doing well, both tanks have driftwood that gets a lot of use from the plecos. They seem to hide in the driftwood during the bright daylight hours, evenings they will come out but still dart away when I get close to the tank. Feeding times are going well and depending on the day some will come out at the first sign of food, sometimes they only come out at night.
I'm offering a mixed diet of zucchini, commercial bottom feeder food, and raw shrimp or white fish. I am thinking about getting frozen freshwater smelt to replace the shrimp and whitefish since the smelt should be closer to what they might find in the natural habitat. All foods are accepted and all but one fish has shown excellent signs of weight gain, the other is kind of skinny but has been that way since I got them two months ago. I'm thinking about isolating that fish for more monitoring to be sure it feeds properly, and maybe if need, a treatment for parasites.
I'll try to post some pics and also updates as things progress.
