Red Tailed Catfish

[Osian]

I got into fish keeping about 4 months ago and my dad got me a book on tropical fish, so naturaly i looked through the book to see what the bigest fish there was, and it was the red tail catfish, and said it grows to about 2m long (6' 6" ish). I then went to do quite a bit of resreach about them, not actually thinking you could buy them that easil, in the uk anyway. Most places said a 2000 gallon tank is the absolute min for one of these and i you would need a custom tank with a custom filter and heater and stuff. I tried to work out if a 2000 gallon tank would be enough and i wouldnt think it is, 2m is basicly the hight of a door, so a fish thats as long as your door would need a massive tank. I was also shocked and amazed to see my local pets at home selling one. I completely agree with invaderwithkey that fish that big should need a permit. Although if i did win the lottery i might be tempted to get one, but i guess with tanks that big i might as well open a public aquarium.

 

[rossyt99]

I got into fish keeping about 4 months ago and my dad got me a book on tropical fish, so naturaly i looked through the book to see what the bigest fish there was, and it was the red tail catfish, and said it grows to about 2m long (6' 6" ish). I then went to do quite a bit of resreach about them, not actually thinking you could buy them that easil, in the uk anyway. Most places said a 2000 gallon tank is the absolute min for one of these and i you would need a custom tank with a custom filter and heater and stuff. I tried to work out if a 2000 gallon tank would be enough and i wouldnt think it is, 2m is basicly the hight of a door, so a fish thats as long as your door would need a massive tank. I was also shocked and amazed to see my local pets at home selling one. I completely agree with invaderwithkey that fish that big should need a permit. Although if i did win the lottery i might be tempted to get one, but i guess with tanks that big i might as well open a public aquarium.

Good post, Even in a beginners guide book that I got about 15yrs ago, it shows the size of a Redtail Catfish (36inches+) and that it needs a gigantic tank/public aquarium only...

 

[darknirvana217]

Most pets unfortunately end up in bad situations, but fish seem to be the most abused. I'm sure we've all experienced it at least once, especially in our early days of fish keeping where we would try to cram a giant into a small tank. unfortunately most never learn. This forum is a great source of information that we should all open our ears to. Many a times I have both advised and been advised on fish living space. jlOisAhoTti, hopefully you realise that you made the right choice to return it and not participate in this fishes suffering. I agree with invaderwithkey on that fish need a permit. However, fish are not taking seriously and they will likely stay in this intolerable state for years to come.

 

[hondadal]

Urh, yeah, practical and ethical... Even if they do take it back, what's going to happen then? Same as always- it spends the rest of its days crammed into a tank far too small...

It's a sad thing, but it's not likely to change anytime soon. There will always be someone out there that knows nothing about redtails and buys them. As long as there is a market for them, I doubt they will stop putting them up for sale. I wish there was a permit system for these humongous fish out there (pacus, redtails, tsns, etc), otherwise they all eventually, except for the lucky few, end up in a crammed tank somewhere.

EDIT: Just realized this was my 1000th post.

The only people who will stop this trade is the consumer, if you see a fish that you think shouldn`t be sold tell the proprietor what you feel (keep it civil) and tell them you won`t be spending your money with them till they clean up there act. Most shops make there money from a hard core of aquarist so we all have a lot of power at our disposal if we are united.

 

[invader]

Urh, yeah, practical and ethical... Even if they do take it back, what's going to happen then? Same as always- it spends the rest of its days crammed into a tank far too small...

It's a sad thing, but it's not likely to change anytime soon. There will always be someone out there that knows nothing about redtails and buys them. As long as there is a market for them, I doubt they will stop putting them up for sale. I wish there was a permit system for these humongous fish out there (pacus, redtails, tsns, etc), otherwise they all eventually, except for the lucky few, end up in a crammed tank somewhere.

EDIT: Just realized this was my 1000th post.

The only people who will stop this trade is the consumer, if you see a fish that you think shouldn`t be sold tell the proprietor what you feel (keep it civil) and tell them you won`t be spending your money with them till they clean up there act. Most shops make there money from a hard core of aquarist so we all have a lot of power at our disposal if we are united.

You're right, the problem is the consumer, that is why I said there will always be a market for these species. To say that I will not shop at a store because they stock these fish is hard, because the majority of shops sell these fish. I mean, I understand how powerful we all can be if we are united, but it seems not practical or feesable, because of this problem.

 

[cheesy feet]

The trouble with fish is unlike other common pets, like dogs or cats, is they're are so many different variety's...Needing completely different care depending on the family/species of fish.People just don't seem to realize this, and turn a blind eye to research because 'they're just fish'.
Whining children also play a big part of buying unsuitable fish, aswell as general ignorance of some people.

 

[darknirvana217]

Right, I once saw a kid wanting to put a clown fish and some other salt water fish into a slat water tank because it looked like Nemo and Dori from that fish movie, Finding Nemo. I think people look at fish as inferior pets because universally they are food, unlike dogs and cats. Always do your research, Planetcatfish.com, though not always 100% accurate, but it still helps.

 

[invader]

Right, I once saw a kid wanting to put a clown fish and some other salt water fish into a slat water tank because it looked like Nemo and Dori from that fish movie, Finding Nemo. I think people look at fish as inferior pets because universally they are food, unlike dogs and cats. Always do your research, Planetcatfish.com, though not always 100% accurate, but it still helps.

Also, I think the general attitude about fish came from the carnival/fair atmosphere. I remember as a kid getting those feeder goldfish and putting them into a little bowl and them only living for like two weeks. It was fascinating when a friend's fish lasted over a month. People just don't think that fish live very long and they are pets to just "flush" when finished and move on. Even more people think that fish are "easy" pets, because all you have to do is chuck a few fish in a box of water and that's it. And people have the nerve to ask why all their fish died...

 

[hondadal]

You're right, the problem is the consumer, that is why I said there will always be a market for these species. To say that I will not shop at a store because they stock these fish is hard, because the majority of shops sell these fish. I mean, I understand how powerful we all can be if we are united, but it seems not practical or feesable, because of this problem.
[/quote]

They have no option but to change if they want your money which they do, my LFS has a prohibited fish list which includes R/T Catfish,Pacu and other tank busters this is a respected national chain that started in s e England if they can do it all shops can

 

[invader]

They have no option but to change if they want your money which they do, my LFS has a prohibited fish list which includes R/T Catfish,Pacu and other tank busters this is a respected national chain that started in s e England if they can do it all shops can

I have a lot of respect for this store, then, if they choose to have a prohibited list. I wish that the stores over here did that, but to be able to change the "average" people's opinions is not the easiest thing in the world to do. I mean, I could boycott a lfs, because they choose to bring these fish in, but there will be 10 others to take my place. There is just not enough training of the staff and competant fish store owners to just ban fish that sell well, even though they are monsters.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that when I worked at an LFS, I convinced the manager not to bring these fish in for sale. I explained to him why and how large they got and thankfully, he listened. I guess to stop these fish being sold, a consumer should go to the fish store owner and not just boycott the store itself. Hmm... something more to think about, I guess.

 

[geo7x]

Oh, I know how big they get. It's one of my favorite fish so I thought I'd temperarly house one in my tanks.

If they're your 'favourite fish' then why are you asking if we know anything about them?

If you buy a fish then be prepared to look after it properly or just leave it there, you can't just buy fish and take them back when you want.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

If anyones ever been swallows aquatics raleigh, you can see a almost fully grown (Pressuming, its Huge!! XD) one of these in the center of the room, the tank is too small really but the fish looks awesome

 

[SJ2K]

If anyones ever been swallows aquatics raleigh, you can see a almost fully grown (Pressuming, its Huge!! XD) one of these in the center of the room, the tank is too small really but the fish looks awesome

Bin to swallows many times, that RTC is not even 3ft, they can get over 5ft and that tank is FAR too small, just another rejected pet, like the pacu they used to have on display.

Buying a fish because you "like" it knowing you'll have to return it in a month is the weakest thing ive heard in a while.

 

[jlOisAhoTti]

Well thank you for all of your opinions. I know what I'm doing, I've done my research. By the way, it hasn't grown an inch since I've bought it about a month ago.

 

[invader]

Well thank you for all of your opinions. I know what I'm doing, I've done my research. By the way, it hasn't grown an inch since I've bought it about a month ago.

Maybe because it's only in a 30 gallon tank?