Pangasius

[big mick]

Are you sure you've had it a few weeks? Three days ago you said you were only looking into getting one:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=174868&hl=

No offense, but I'm thinking firstly you post three days ago about all the big fish (common plec, balas) you have in a 60l tank, and the pangasius you're planning, then you post about your poorly pangasius you've had a few weeks - hmm - anyone else thinking troll?

What does this term Troll mean? a person who just tries to wind everyone up?

 

[LisaLQ]

Yes

 

[oddball_lover]

What does this term Troll mean? a person who just tries to wind everyone up?

Definition of Forum Troll

 

[big mick]

I didnt realise there was a term for it.

 

[Bloo]

Correct

(Edit: Oops didn't see replies on 2nd page).

 

[andypo20]

the guide to owning catfishes, geis
published by tfh publications, havant, po9 5tl.
page 21 underrlining a photograph of a pangasius sutchi i quote
"Pangasius sutchi is an asian species that is uncommon. it may grow to 12 inches in length and eats small fishes" as my peppered cory found out!!!

 

[LisaLQ]

I would take anything you read in a book with a pinch of salt. Most of my books say common plecs only get to 9", one of them says oscars are great community fish...

Planet Catfish is a, excellent first stop for info on catfish species. If anything they can be conservative with their estimated sizes, and I've found that they like to have proof of a fish reaching a certain size before they update their pages. So if they say that a. a sutchi is just another name for an iridescent shark, and b. they get to 4ft+, then they have proof of that

 

[who-izzet]

I've had my pandasius since I started my 4ft tank up. I will be upgrading to 6 foot within the next year so he will have a bigger home with his mates.

He is now just over 10 inches and at the moment is a big softy. I heard they can eat small fish by accident but mine sofar has been very well behaved. The only problem I find with him is that he doesn't like too much ornaments or plants on the right side of the tank where he hangs out. He has grown rapidly in the last 6 months though. I'd say 2inches, it could be down to the floating pellets I am feeding him. He makes me laugh though because he won't even go near the pellets if other fish are there.

 

[andypo20]

mine was 7" took it to lfs monday am.
it ate my adult convict!!!

 

[who-izzet]

I hope my guy doesn't change but I will keep an eye on it. 10" now and still a big softy.

It seems alot of people think they are bad news. I'm getting a 5ft tank when I move house so I will house him in there with not so many fish. Probably keep him with 3 big plecs, 4 Kissing Gouramis, 2 Moonlights and 2 Angels.

Have they been known to kill any of them? They are all very big fish.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

as your pangasius continues to grow larger, the chances of him eating your other fish will increase. the plecos should escape due to their size and being stuck on the bottom, but i wouldn't count on your angels or moonlights lasting very long once the catfish hits about 12-15". adult kissing gouramis should last a bit longer than that, but they're likely to be eaten too once the catfish hits 20".

it's not that they are bad, mean or aggressive fish. it's the fact that they just get so big! except for the strictest bottom-feeding vegetarians, fish tend to eat whatever fits into their mouths. sometimes that just happens to be the other fish in the tank.

 

[who-izzet]

I heard somewhere that even human babies have been found inside catfish.

Gotta admit I am abit worried. Do you guys seriously think it would be in my best interest to take him to the LFS?

I had a pangasius years ago and he only grew to about 9 inches. He lived in a 4ft tank with a huge angel fish and a plec. I think he died at around 8 years, can't remember exactly, I had him when I was a kid. He was very jumpy.

 

[andypo20]

Mine have now gone to lfs, @ 7" it ate my adult convict female!!!!

 

[cheesy feet]

You got the rong fish,a pangasius catfish is completely unable to eat a fish 2 inches smaller then it.Either your lying or you got the rong fish taht ate it..

 

[LisaLQ]

Convicts aren't always 5", my adult female was only 2.5"

I'd say a pangasius in a 5ft with three plecs and all those other fish too would be vastly overstocked anyway, even if it didn't grow any bigger (unlikely). You'd need at least a 180g for the three plecs if they were all the same species, just for them to have enough territory. Obviously in a 180g you'd have room for other middle/top level fish though lol - not just the plecs!

But I'd rehome that pangasius while you can - if you can. Once it hits 12-18" it'll be nigh on impossible to find it a new home and euthanasia might have to become an option once he got even bigger. Try finding numbers for local public aquariums (if there are any near you?). They might have room for him?