not yet, just growing it on for now. I'm trying to findout if anyone else has kept them in captivity and if so, how big they get. 
ste
ste
updated pics
- Thread starter ste2k3
- Start date
if i remember, ryan said he found some information on them...i'll try find it for you if i can
found some info on it, the URL don't work, but here it is
Tapah or Helicopter Catfish - Wallago leerii - (Bleeker, 1851)
his month’s featured catfish is the Tapah (as it is locally known in Indonesia and Malaysia and never confused with any other catfish), essentially a leaner, sleeker version of the European wels (Silurus glanis) with an equally fearsome reputation. The fish is a beautiful brassy-olive with the body marbled in black and white by day and assumes a paler grey with longitudinal bands of grey and white running along its flanks at night. However, its upturned mouth and an impressive battery of sharp teeth combine to give this catfish an unsettleing grin. One of the largest freshwater catfishes in Southeast Asia, the Tapah can reach up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length and weigh over 80 kilograms (176 lbs).
Perhaps in keeping with its “leerii”-ng countenance, the Tapah has a fearsome reputation as a rapacious predator that attacks any animal small enough for it to swallow. Fish, frogs, waterfowl and even small mammals are not safe from its cavernous toothy gape. There are even reports of this aggressive fish attacking bathers. Malaysian folklore has it that the Tapah was so jealous of the Keli’s (Clarias) eight barbels to its two that it will try to eat its smaller cousin at any opportunity.
In Southeast Asia, the Tapah is regularly caught for food and its flesh is of excellent taste (I had the opportunity to verify this in central Sumatra). It puts up a great fight when hooked, sometimes towing a boat with its occupants for a considerable distance.
Keeping one in the aquarium is not for the faint of heart. Given the large size it can grow to [at least 60 cm (2 feet)] and its nature as an active predator means that it needs plenty of swimming room (something in the league of an 8-foot tank). Its reputation as a great jumper also means that a sturdy cover is necessary. Neither is feeding particularly easy (or cheap), given that it very much prefers live food. Introducing feeders into the tank usually results in the fish darting out of its resting place, and an almost casual sidle right up to its prey. A quick lunge too fast to be seen (usually accompanied by a loud thud as it hits the aquarium walls) and all that’s left is a shower of scales and a catfish with a very satisfied grin. In time, the Tapah will learn and strike at prey the very instance they are dropped into water (usually resulting in a slight drenching to the owner), which means that strips of raw meat can be substituted as a healthier alternative to feeder fish or frogs. To make things easier on your wallet, the Tapah is perfectly happy fed only once or twice a week.
The Tapah is a loner and will attempt to eat tankmates. Given its need for swimming room, is perfectly happy with a minimum of “furniture”. One has to be careful with the water quality, though, as they are very sensitive to high ammonia / nitrate levels (the first sign of trouble is a loss of appetite immediately followed by barbel rot).
A catfish with a personality that will learn to recognize the owner (greeting at feeding time usually takes the form of a quick dart out of hiding followed by an expectant hovering near the surface of the water), the Tapah can be as endearing as Rover or Skip and promises years of enjoyment.
Thanks go again to Heok Hee Ng for this month's "catfish of the month" article.
Common Name(s) Tapah, Helicopter catfish
Latin Name Wallago leerii
Synonym(s) Wallagonia leerii, Wallagonia tweediei. Sometimes mistakenly identified as Wallago (or Wallagonia) miostoma.
Water Soft, slightly acid to neutral (pH 5–7) water.
Origin Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands (except northeast Borneo, where the closely related W. maculatus occurs). Population from mainland Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and southern Vietnam) represents a different species recently described as W. micropogon.
Temperature 20–25°C
Size 2000 mm SL
Sexing Males have a more slender genital papilla immediately in front of anus.
Feeding Active predator. Will eat only live foods (fish or frogs) at first, but can be trained to take strips of raw meat.
Breeding Not known and impossible in the home aquarium, given its size.
Compatibility A solitary predator, will attempt to eat any tankmates.
Suggested
Tankmates None
"Furniture" Large driftwood as a hiding place desirable, although not necessary. Bare tank makes cleaning easier.
Photo Credit(s) Loricariidae Wholesales
© 2004 www.planetcatfish.com. All rights reserved.
(Thank to www.planetcatfish.com for all information listed above)
Tapah or Helicopter Catfish - Wallago leerii - (Bleeker, 1851)
his month’s featured catfish is the Tapah (as it is locally known in Indonesia and Malaysia and never confused with any other catfish), essentially a leaner, sleeker version of the European wels (Silurus glanis) with an equally fearsome reputation. The fish is a beautiful brassy-olive with the body marbled in black and white by day and assumes a paler grey with longitudinal bands of grey and white running along its flanks at night. However, its upturned mouth and an impressive battery of sharp teeth combine to give this catfish an unsettleing grin. One of the largest freshwater catfishes in Southeast Asia, the Tapah can reach up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length and weigh over 80 kilograms (176 lbs).
Perhaps in keeping with its “leerii”-ng countenance, the Tapah has a fearsome reputation as a rapacious predator that attacks any animal small enough for it to swallow. Fish, frogs, waterfowl and even small mammals are not safe from its cavernous toothy gape. There are even reports of this aggressive fish attacking bathers. Malaysian folklore has it that the Tapah was so jealous of the Keli’s (Clarias) eight barbels to its two that it will try to eat its smaller cousin at any opportunity.
In Southeast Asia, the Tapah is regularly caught for food and its flesh is of excellent taste (I had the opportunity to verify this in central Sumatra). It puts up a great fight when hooked, sometimes towing a boat with its occupants for a considerable distance.
Keeping one in the aquarium is not for the faint of heart. Given the large size it can grow to [at least 60 cm (2 feet)] and its nature as an active predator means that it needs plenty of swimming room (something in the league of an 8-foot tank). Its reputation as a great jumper also means that a sturdy cover is necessary. Neither is feeding particularly easy (or cheap), given that it very much prefers live food. Introducing feeders into the tank usually results in the fish darting out of its resting place, and an almost casual sidle right up to its prey. A quick lunge too fast to be seen (usually accompanied by a loud thud as it hits the aquarium walls) and all that’s left is a shower of scales and a catfish with a very satisfied grin. In time, the Tapah will learn and strike at prey the very instance they are dropped into water (usually resulting in a slight drenching to the owner), which means that strips of raw meat can be substituted as a healthier alternative to feeder fish or frogs. To make things easier on your wallet, the Tapah is perfectly happy fed only once or twice a week.
The Tapah is a loner and will attempt to eat tankmates. Given its need for swimming room, is perfectly happy with a minimum of “furniture”. One has to be careful with the water quality, though, as they are very sensitive to high ammonia / nitrate levels (the first sign of trouble is a loss of appetite immediately followed by barbel rot).
A catfish with a personality that will learn to recognize the owner (greeting at feeding time usually takes the form of a quick dart out of hiding followed by an expectant hovering near the surface of the water), the Tapah can be as endearing as Rover or Skip and promises years of enjoyment.
Thanks go again to Heok Hee Ng for this month's "catfish of the month" article.
Common Name(s) Tapah, Helicopter catfish
Latin Name Wallago leerii
Synonym(s) Wallagonia leerii, Wallagonia tweediei. Sometimes mistakenly identified as Wallago (or Wallagonia) miostoma.
Water Soft, slightly acid to neutral (pH 5–7) water.
Origin Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands (except northeast Borneo, where the closely related W. maculatus occurs). Population from mainland Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and southern Vietnam) represents a different species recently described as W. micropogon.
Temperature 20–25°C
Size 2000 mm SL
Sexing Males have a more slender genital papilla immediately in front of anus.
Feeding Active predator. Will eat only live foods (fish or frogs) at first, but can be trained to take strips of raw meat.
Breeding Not known and impossible in the home aquarium, given its size.
Compatibility A solitary predator, will attempt to eat any tankmates.
Suggested
Tankmates None
"Furniture" Large driftwood as a hiding place desirable, although not necessary. Bare tank makes cleaning easier.
Photo Credit(s) Loricariidae Wholesales
© 2004 www.planetcatfish.com. All rights reserved.
(Thank to www.planetcatfish.com for all information listed above)
thanks, I'v read a lot about them but everyone sais different, some say they stay at 4' some say they get 10'. I need someone with experience of keeping them in captivity.
thanks for the info
ste
thanks for the info
ste
DiXoN
Fish Fanatic
nice fish you have there.ste2k3 said:thanks, I'v read a lot about them but everyone sais different, some say they stay at 4' some say they get 10'. I need someone with experience of keeping them in captivity.
thanks for the info
ste
i can send a friend over here and he can give you info on keeping these he has loads of huge cats including one of these.
dixon
Thanks, that would be great if you could DIXoN.
ste
ste
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