Raphael Catfish?

[JoBodude]

look at my 20gl. in my sig.

can i put in 1 or 2 rapheal catfish in there?

thanks!

 

[JoBodude]

*nudge* nudge*

anyone?

 

[SirMinion]

look at my 20gl. in my sig:

20gl.
4 longfinned golden zebra danios
3 creamsicle mollies
3 mickey mouse platies
3 neon tetras
2 albino cories
(having an amonia problem, not getting more fish in that tank for a while, i expect some fish to die..)

can i put in 1 or 2 rapheal catfish in there?

None! and for these reasons:

1. You're already having ammonia problems due to high stocking levels.
2. They get too big for a 20g, especially as they're social fish and really need to be in groups of three or more.
3. They would snack on any molly or platy fry that come along, and later as they get bigger it would be bye bye tetras and danios too.
4. At night they are very active and boistrous, speding the entire darkness hours blundering around the tank like bumpercars. Any sleeping fish would get highly stressed by their nocturnal activities in such a small space.

 

[JoBodude]

ok

I think i am just gunna get more cories
(when my amonia level is fixed, dont worry )

 

[Candyco]

look at my 20gl. in my sig.

can i put in 1 or 2 rapheal catfish in there?

thanks!

I've got a few raphaels..... once ur levels r all back 2 normal there shouldn.t b any reaon y u can't get a pair.... i had a pair in a 12g 4 ages but they're now in a much larger tank with my oscar.
I think they're the best lil cats!

 

[Morrgan]

I've got a few raphaels..... once ur levels r all back 2 normal there shouldn.t b any reaon y u can't get a pair.... i had a pair in a 12g 4 ages but they're now in a much larger tank with my oscar.
I think they're the best lil cats!

Raphael catfish are neither "lil" or suitable for a 12g or a 20g. They can grow to almost 10 inches and I'd say they need a 4-5 foot tank at least.

 

[Candyco]

I've got a few raphaels..... once ur levels r all back 2 normal there shouldn.t b any reaon y u can't get a pair.... i had a pair in a 12g 4 ages but they're now in a much larger tank with my oscar.
I think they're the best lil cats!

Raphael catfish are neither "lil" or suitable for a 12g or a 20g. They can grow to almost 10 inches and I'd say they need a 4-5 foot tank at least.

Trust me.... they are "lil" compared 2 my red-bellies and oscar!!!!
They get to about 8 1/2 inches and whilst babies are fine in a smaller tank but only 4 A WHILE! As i said... mine r now in a much larger tank and they don't seem bothered that they started off in a smaller 1. Do u put a new born baby in a king size bed

 

[Morrgan]

I've got a few raphaels..... once ur levels r all back 2 normal there shouldn.t b any reaon y u can't get a pair.... i had a pair in a 12g 4 ages but they're now in a much larger tank with my oscar.
I think they're the best lil cats!

Raphael catfish are neither "lil" or suitable for a 12g or a 20g. They can grow to almost 10 inches and I'd say they need a 4-5 foot tank at least.

Trust me.... they are "lil" compared 2 my red-bellies and oscar!!!!
They get to about 8 1/2 inches and whilst babies are fine in a smaller tank but only 4 A WHILE! As i said... mine r now in a much larger tank and they don't seem bothered that they started off in a smaller 1. Do u put a new born baby in a king size bed

What if the person asking for advice doesn't have a bigger tank to put the raphael in once it outgrows the 20g? What happens then? Just pass it on or kill it, once it's been used and there's no more need for it? Sounds like terribly irresponsible fishkeeping to me. Do you sell the newborn baby once it's grown too big for its bed?

 

[Candyco]

ok......... if this person is serious about fish keeping then they will get a larger tank 2 suit the fish they want in it wouldn't they
If on the other hand they just want a happy lil fishy tank in the corner then my advice would b 2 stick with easier 2 handle fish do u agree
ie: no point getting an oscar or similar fish that's gonna grow huge and putting it in a lil bowl is there?
Apologies if i'm contradicting myself here but hey.
TBH a larger tank is needed 4 raphaels and no.... i'm not an irresponsible fish keeper! )

 

[Candyco]

Hey thought i'd add...... i.m building my own tank at the moment... wish me luck! I'm glad i married a glazier!

 

[Morrgan]

Well, getting a bigger tank is not as easy as wanting one. At the moment my biggest one is 53 gal and I dream of one twice as large (so I can finally get a raphael, among other fish ), but there isn't enough money. One can't assume people will be able to get larger tanks just like that.

My point is that the question at hand was if a raphael can be kept in a 20g. Nothing was said about temporary housing, nor was a larger tank mentioned. So, the person asking for advice would probably keep it there permanently and if it wasn't made clear that the raphael needs a bigger tank further on, they might be in a lot of trouble when they already have the fish and it becomes evident. That's why I felt I needed to correct your first post.

By the way, I didn't mean you're an irresponsible fishkeeper, sorry if that was the impression you got. I was just trying to illustrate what can (and sadly, has often happened) in similar situations.

EDIT: Oh, and good luck!

 

[Candyco]

momentarily parting from catfish..... i made the mistake of putting 2 baby oscars in a 40g tank.... trust me... i was a muppet 4 not reading up on them 1st. ! died eventually but on a happier note the remaining 1 is getting on great now with the raphaels!

No offence taken btw!!!

Kaz

 

[Candyco]

should i say 1 died not ! died!!!!! lol @ me


Anyway..... 20g tank.... not advisable 2 get raphaels unless ur looking @ getting a much larger tank in the near future!