hifi banded shark and cichlids

[SquirrelOsO]

i saw a hifi banded shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) today at the petstore. he was $40 dollars and it said on his tank no gaurantee on him. he looked perfectly healthy and was active so im thinking about buying him. now the problem is i have 2 cichlids and one feather fin catfish in a 55 gallon tank. one is a baby tiger oscar about 1" 1/2 long and a gold severum 2" long. the catfish is 4" long. i will be getting some dither fish this week, maybe some barbs or tetras, danios maybe i havent decided yet. but how do cichlids get along with this fish? and what about the feather fin? will he pick on it because they look similiar? is this fish too docile for what i have? when the 2 i have now grow a bit i wanted to add one female convict and maybe a firemouth. is this all a bad idea and i should just forget about owning this beauty? he had the cutest little mouth :

 

[Puffernewbee]

Just so that you are aware. The Hi Finned Banded sharks at the store are juveniles and they gat up to 40 inches long and become a very plain, ugly fish. I was thinking of getting one myself once but this changed my mind.

Chinese High Fin Banded Shark

 

[NatakuTseng]

They also are a cool water species. Your other fish would harass it to death anyhow.

 

[Emg]

So...what do folks do with these cute little babies when they grow into huge ugly monsters ??? Because I see them at lfs all the time.....but I know how big they get so was never tempted.....

 

[ghinksmon]

Puffernewbee,
Thanks for that link. I for one, didn't know about their adult form.

As for SquirrelOsO, I recommend you rethink your tank. Your oscar will be eating tiger barb sized fish in about 6 months. The severum has a smaller mouth but most danio would be lunch. The oscar will eventually become rather large for a 55, I'd consider some smaller cichlids instead. IMO I'd rather have two pair and watch their interaction than to have four single species.

 

[SquirrelOsO]

i will pass on the hifin. they grow very slow and from what i read they only reach 12-18 inches max in an aquarium, but still i feel that he will be to meek for cichlids.
i have kept oscars before with black tetras for 4 years until the tetras died of old age. the oscars were about 9 inches and never went for them. i never ever fed my oscars live food this is the only thing i could think of on why they never touched them. i had a pair a red tiger and an albino. i moved to another state so i had to find homes for the oscars.
i am hoping this oscar will be as mellow as my others and i can keep him with smaller schooling fish like tetras or barbs, but im thinking its a 50/50 chance it may not work like the first time.
i am planning on a custom made 800 gallon tank in the future, within the next 2 years, so they will be in their glory then :bday:

 

[mooman]

My lfs sells them as an algea control species for ponds.

 

[SquirrelOsO]

My lfs sells them as an algea control species for ponds.

yeah? hmmm...i have a pond in my yard with comets and shubunkins, but im not sure if the hifin can tolerate freezing temps? he may also "disappear" with the ponds black liner.