Watercow?

[SLC Flyfishing]

I stopped by a great fish shop yesterday, they had a water cow in there for $50. I went home and looked up what I could about it, guess it's also known as a spotted sleeper, anyway I thought it was amazing. I want to know more about it, if I find that it is suitable I may buy it, but first I need to know if anyone on here has them, what are their tankmates, I assume that they are few because that fish had an enormous mouth. also what is the minimum tank size, I would buy a tank for it but need to know the minimum because I'm a student and money is tight. Also tell me if they are not recomended. basically tell me all that you know. Looking forward to any replies.

 

[Genesis]

Family: Eleotridae (Sleepers)
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Common name: Spotted sleeper
Max. size: 44.0 cm
Environment: freshwater; brackish
Climate: tropical; 25 – 33°C

so you'll have an 18 inch feeshie, i dunno much about their activity so yeah, the tank size is a mystery to me

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

From what I could uncover, they are very light brackish to fresh. Is that correct?

 

[AMS]

Yes they are sometimes found in the mouths of rivers, which do have a small salt contnet so I would assume slightly brackish water of up to 1.005 could be acceptable. They are benethic (bottom-dwelling) and capture their prey among camoflague. Their natural feedings habits do not make them particually active, and wouldnt require a massive aqaurium that any other 18" fish would need, but their aqaurium still should be quite large.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

OK but how large do you think?

 

[CFC]

given their inactive lifestyle a 75g would do though a 100g (4x2x2') would be better

 

[Fella]

Keep an eye out for these on aquabid too, I've seen them on there for cheaper than $50.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

what about tankmates?
what about feeding?
any other special considerations?

 

[Dwarfs]

You may also want to look for mogurnda gudgeons, they are smaller (stay near 6"), frehwater cousins of the water cow/spotted sleeper and are more colorful IMO

A water cow will probably eat most meaty foods, altthough I haven't kept them so I'm not 100% sure

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Are they aggressive? will they get along with other larger fish?

 

[Neal]

Probably not, they will most likely scare the other fish with their size.

Neal

 

[AMS]

They wont get along with small/smaller fish for obvious reasons, but fish around the same size will be fine as they arent overly aggressive.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Great info guys, exactly what I was hoping for! thanks for all the help!