For active bottom dwellers like Pictus Catfish, what determines functional space more than water volume?
Answer
Length and width of the tank
The functional space required for Pictus Catfish is overwhelmingly determined by their active, constantly moving nature as bottom dwellers. Since they need room to roam, the horizontal dimensions—specifically the length and width, known as the tank footprint—are far more critical than the total water capacity or the vertical height of the water column. Restricting this horizontal swimming path by placing them in a narrow tank forces them to constantly bump into décor or the glass walls, which is a significant source of chronic stress for this species, regardless of the volume of water present.
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