Marine catfish - any experience with them?

LFS had marine catfish: black & white striped, juvenile schooling bottom dwellers. Staff says never been aggressive to any tank mates. My research says has venomous spines , aggressive and grows to 1 ft.

Does anyone have experience with them?

I will not add them to tank if they are going to threaten and harm current fish.

 

I don't have any personal exp with them but it seems to me that a fish that grows that large would be a big eater and add alot to your biomass which could put a strain on your system and cause problems with water quality.

 

Good point. I was thinking of rehoming them when large adults, but in reality I get attached and probably would have been sad to let "Jaws" go (if he had ever been my pet).

I am going to pass. Get me some schooling blue green chromis.

 

That would be your best option. FWIW, catfish also tend to become more predatory as they mature, and fish that large can also be quite destructive.