How small is too small? Question about tank-mates for Midnight catfish….

[kalija]

The care sheet says “not to be trusted with very small fish” – can anyone tell me how small is too small? I have eight of these guys in in a 125 gallon with 9 Diamond Tetras (fully grown) and they do not seem to have bothered them at all. I want to add more groups of tetras but of course those available at the store are not adults and are much smaller. I have some Diamonds and also some Black phantom tetras in quarantine but looking at their size I am afraid they will need to stay there until they are fully grown!

However, I am thinking mine are not very predatory minded because I have had several baby cory’s show up unharmed in the tank….

I want to add that I removed the “burrito” style caves I had in the tank and added more driftwood and plants and I get to see these beauties much more often now; and they are looking much better. I am very appreciative of the advice I got from Marc to remove those! I think adding more tetras will make them feel even more comfortable; and of course my Diamonds would prefer a larger group as well.

As always, thanks for any advice!

Karen

[Jools]

Neons and the like are too small, high bodied tetras work well.

Jools

[jodilynn]

I have "hockey stick" tetras in my tank, some on the smaller side, and have had no problems. My midnights are well fed though so maybe a fishy snack doesn't cross their minds ?

[Richard B]

Bleeding Hearts & Lemon tetras have proved fine for me - as Jools suggests above

[kalija]

Ok, thanks - I think mine should be OK then; they are fairly high-bodied.