Shark Catfish

[Raechal]

Okay so I have one silver tipped shark catfish (columbian catfish) and he is in my 120 gallon as of now as he was getting nipped by the tiger barbs in my mom's 55 gallon. I know he needs a brackish set-up ideally, but I have no room for an extra tank nor the money to buy a tank just for him. The LFS won't take him back as I have had him past the return date, so that is not an option. So I may have a spare 10 gallon set-up soon.

Would it be better to keep him in the 100% freshwater 120 gallon or make a 10 gallon brackish tank for him? I just don't know what to do.

 

[Blue Lobster]

How about a little salt in the tank he's in? As you know I am a salt advocate. Most fish will not be stressed by salt and it will help the shark along. (Do searches regarding tankmates that might be particularly sensitive anyway)

Throw some salt in undissolved and watch him/her go nuts. It's like catnip for catfish.

Don't underestimate Kosher Salt as a cheap alternative to that stuff in the LFS, half the price, same salt. Take it from a Jew, it's vondahful dahling.

 

[Raechal]

How about a little salt in the tank he's in? As you know I am a salt advocate. Most fish will not be stressed by salt and it will help the shark along. (Do searches regarding tankmates that might be particularly sensitive anyway)

Throw some salt in undissolved and watch him/her go nuts. It's like catnip for catfish.

Don't underestimate Kosher Salt as a cheap alternative to that stuff in the LFS, half the price, same salt. Take it from a Jew, it's vondahful dahling.

I have clown loaches and glass catfish in my tank and I am pretty sure the salt would not do too well with them.

I have tiger barbs and black skirt tetras in the 55 gallon. Could I add salt to that and he'd be better? The tiger barbs kind of nip at him at times though.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

not to mention that you should NEVER just toss in undissolved salt! if it comes into contact with your fish, it will burn them!!!!

just because your shark lunges at a salt crystal doesn't mean its good for him. my guppies will try to eat anything once; most non-herbivorous fish hold the belief that "movement = food".

 

[Raechal]

not too mention that you should NEVER just toss in undissolved salt! if it comes into contact with your fish, it will burn them!!!!

just because your shark lunges at a salt crystal doesn't mean its good for him. my guppies will try to eat anything once; most non-herbivorous fish hold the belief that "movement = food".

I always dissolve my salt in a cup of water before I ever add it to any of my tanks.

 

[Raechal]

Nevermind, he died.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Sorry to hear that. For future reference, they are schooling fish that can grow to 18" (no 10g for them!) & prefer SW as adults.

 

[Raechal]

Sorry to hear that. For future reference, they are schooling fish that can grow to 18" (no 10g for them!) & prefer SW as adults.

I know. I had two of them, my boyfriend bought them for me as a gift and I tried to take them back but they wouldn't take them back. I feel so bad for them now. Because I killed them.

 

[Ferris]

Hey these things happen raechal, don't be too hard on yourself! You did your best and I think your LFS should have been more helpful.

 

[Pufferpunk]

your LFS should have been more helpful.

It is always such a shame, when a shop sells a fish with bad advice & then won't take the fish back--so then it has to die...

 

[Melfice]

Petco is bad. My sister went into a store to buy fish with her friend. Well, they knew nothing at the time (I found out months later). Saw some beautiful Saltwater fish and asked: "What do we need to buy to keep these fish here?" The Salesperson said this: "Glass bowl, instant ocean and food"

The salesperson sold my sister 4 Saltwater fish and the items listed here. By morning, 2 were dead and she was able to take the other 2 back. I can't believe anyone would do this. Just for sales? Or someone who needs to get trained better? Who knows. I feel for the two fish that were lost tho

 

[dougc87]

Same thing just happen to me, I bought 2 of those shark catfish(thought they were cute lol) and when I came one and was online I read some where they are a barkish fish? Right now I have a redtail shark and some other fish. I think all of these fish are freshwater, I want to know if I can add some salt to the tank to make these shark catfish happy, without hurting my redtail. I was also going to buy a dragon fish but I guess it is a good thing I didnt. I have a 50Gallon tank how much salt should I add. Maybe I should try to get rid of those 2 cute fishes?
Thanks
Doug

 

[CFC]

Sharks of the Labeo genus wont be happy with salt in the water as they are true FW fish, especially not the levels that the sharkcatfish will eventually need to go into which has to be near enough full marine water.