red tailed catfish

[Paul_MTS]

Now I have a big ass tank I'm going to fill it with oddballs and predactory catfish.

At the moment I'm really tempted to add a red tailed catfish the tanks 5x3x2. Are we talking years for the catfish to get to aorund 2ft?

A guy at work has a baby red tail at the moment and his plan was to move it into a rio 400 stored in his garage but since moving he can't find the space for it. He's thinking it over this week as he knows it would be going to a good home he might be donating it to me....

It's only aorund 4-6 inch at the moment, I'm i'm thinking getting my tank stocked up while it's small then everything should be alright with it?

It's going to be filtered by a 30x15x22" sump.

 

[nitro]

I dont know much about them but i can tell you that a 5ft tank is not going to be big enough.

 

[CFC]

RTC have one of the quickest growths of all fish, a cute little 2" kitten can grow into a 3 foot monster in a little over a year, i have personally seen a RTC grow a inch a week. Even your 224 gallon tank is no where near big enough to house a RTC, start thinking of tanks in the region of 1000 gallons and your in the right ball park.
With your tank i wouldnt suggest keeping any fish with a adult length over 20 inches and certainly nothing over 24" as the length is still restricting for swimming space.

 

[rvm]

Check this out.

Why not try a few Lima shovelnoses instead. They get to 18" and are great fish. Active all the time, and just plain cool!!

 

[Paul_MTS]

Darn I was hoping I would have more time than that!

I was really quite set on having 1 aswell!! Will have to think over the possibilties, i may just end up baby sitting it for him for a while.

Yeah I had checked out steve's profile on them just thought I'd check on the time span! I would love some lima but unfortunately it's trying to get hold of them thats going to be difficult, unless i travel far and wide which i don't have the time for.

 

[rvm]

Most LFS's can get hold of Limas for you, they just don't tend to keep them in stock. I had a bit of a struggle finding mine, but just ringing around found me one within a 20 minute drive. I just think it's easier than having a fish that is going to outgrow your tank and you having to give him up which is not going to be easy!

 

[Paul_MTS]

I might wait a while to see if they turn up on our stock lists. I'll probable wait until my 4ft tank arrives and is paid for before I start stocking this tank properly though.