SA Redtailed Catfish

[bike7]

I need some info on a redtailed cat. I an getting a 180gal tank and i want to raise a red tailed cat for it. How fast do they grow?

[wantsome8]

i ve never kept red tails but i asume like most other fish that get big they grow qiuck ive seen 4 inch red tials sucking down gold fish half thies size check out www.planetcatfish.com

[RumpThumper33]

they can grow to about 5 feet, and will eventually outgrow that tank. You should be fine w/ that tank for awhile, but start building the pond in your basement. They grow quickly. Their not really aggressive, but and fish smaller than them can and most likely will become dessert so pick your tank mates carefully. Pacus are a good bet. But remember, they WILL outgrow your tank in time so be ready.

PS - They crap soooooo much!!!! Have good filtration!!!

[FishBait]

Man, get it smaller than 3" if you want some time for it in that 180. My neighbors outgrew his 55 in less than 6 months. We have one at the lfs that's in a 300 gal pond and in one year's time has hit a size that he can barely turn around in the thing. It's about 3' wide.

[andruboz]

my lfs has a redtail cat they have had since 1983. his name is moby. his head is about the width of a basketball. i would guess him to be about 3 feet. and his tank is probably between 350g and 500g. this just in.... just did a google search and saw a pic of an amazon caught 85lb rtc real close to 5'.

[Alastair]

Possibly my favourite catfish. Growth rate is extremely dependent on how much and how often they are fed, as well as the quality of the diet. I've grown them from around 2" to 20" in as little as six months. And keep in mind when choosing tankmates, if any, that if it can fit in their mouth, it will go in their mouth.

[andruboz]

to back up what alistair just said, there is a pic on aquamojo.com of an 18" clown knife in a redtail cats mouth.

[parker21104]

I have a SA rtc in a 240 and he is approx. 22" and just under two years.

[liv2padl]

http://www.fishinginthailand.com/fishing/images/red-tail-catfish.jpg


I an getting a 180gal tank think bigger. MUCH bigger. think 600 gallons. this fish should NOT be sold for aquariums. it grows to well over 5 feet and can weigh over 200 pounds and it does this fast.

the one above is still not full grown.

[ChilDawg]

Good advice, but I don't think the OP will be able to take it as tehy haven't been here in almost four years.

[liv2padl]

don't think the OP will be able to take it as tehy haven't been here in almost four years. hahahahah, i HATE when that happens. i wish i'd seen that before i posted. :D

[ChilDawg]

No prob--happens to the best of us and to me, too. :)

[Beasts]

I agree with liv2padl. Please do not purchase fish for an aquarium which have the potential size of a red tail catfish! It is simply irresponsible to take on responsibility for an animal which will never be comfortable, if fed reasonably, in an enclosure smaller than thousands of gallons.
Beasts