Common, Gibbi Or Something Else?

Parents have just accquired this. Picture's not very good quality but from description in a text I received, I believe it to be 8-10 inches. The tank they have is approx 5 feet long. Just need an ID please...

It's a very skinny gibby

I'm sure he'll be better in no time though

LisaLQ said:

It's a very skinny gibby

I'm sure he'll be better in no time though

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Thanks Lisa - knew you'd come to the rescue!

I'm not sure my parents know what they've let themselves in for, so I want to give them as much info as poss and one of the things I'm not sure on is growth rate. I know from your previous posts you've said they can reach 24".
As I said, I think (s)he is approx 8-10" long at the moment - how long do you think it'll take to reach 'full size'?

And as for being skinny, how often should they be feeding him so that he doesn't look like Kate Moss?!

It's possible they can reach 24" apparently, but the norm is about 18", but TBH if he's been badly cared for in the past - it's unlikely he'll get that big. I'd say he'll reach 15" or so, but who knows - it's always best to prepare for the worst...erm...if you get me. You need a 5 x 2 x 2ft tank for a gibby really, obviously the smaller they are the less you could get away with - but the bigger the better as he may have a growth spurt now he's being cared for properly.

Gibbies are omnis so veggies, good wafers, shrimp/prawns once a week, catfish pellets now and again...that kind of thing.

Show your parents these pics so they get an idea of size:






And Hawkins wasn't actually that huge for a gibby, he was only 15" - had to rehome him as our tank was too small for him to move about it (6ft x 2ft x 18"). It was the 18" bit that did it - had we had the 6 x 2 x 2ft at that point, we'd have kept him

LisaLQ said:

It's possible they can reach 24" apparently, but the norm is about 18", but TBH if he's been badly cared for in the past - it's unlikely he'll get that big. I'd say he'll reach 15" or so, but who knows - it's always best to prepare for the worst...erm...if you get me. You need a 5 x 2 x 2ft tank for a gibby really, obviously the smaller they are the less you could get away with - but the bigger the better as he may have a growth spurt now he's being cared for properly.

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I get you. I don't want to scare them off as such but I just want to warn them that this could be a BIG fish to take on.
My father's kept fish for as long as I can remember (at least 30 years) but I don't think they have much experience of tankbusters.

LisaLQ said:

Gibbies are omnis so veggies, good wafers, shrimp/prawns once a week, catfish pellets now and again...that kind of thing.

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Yes, I'm aware of their dietary needs. Just wondered if (s)he needs to be fed any more than usual in the immediate future to fatten him/her up a bit - in light of the fact you said (s)he looked skinny ???

LisaLQ said:

And Hawkins wasn't actually that huge for a gibby, he was only 15" - had to rehome him as our tank was too small for him to move about it (6ft x 2ft x 18"). It was the 18" bit that did it - had we had the 6 x 2 x 2ft at that point, we'd have kept him

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The tank is 5ft (approx) - don't know the exact size as it was custom built to fit a recess in their living room.
I'm concerned about the 18" too - as I'd guess that's what the depth of their tank is and, as you say, it'll find difficulty turning once it's grown a few more inches.....

Once again, thanks for all your advice so far.
Much appreciated