Are these fish compatible?
- Thread starter RumpThumper33
- Start date
It may have been a blue, but blues are not native to the lake I caught this one from.... I released it, and I don't have a pic for I.D. purposes, or I'd look to see for sure which breed it was...I just remember it was nearly as tall as I was (at nearly 6' myself) and had to weigh at least 45-50 pounds (which would make me think channel, since blues are heftier and wider). I could be mistaken about the breed, though. It was nighttime, after all....
When I said that his predatory options were limited, I was going on the fact that what we generally feed our predatory pets is feeder goldfish, and there's only so many pet species that are both large enough to eat them, and small enough for the tank he has....
It was 5'+ and only weighed 45-50 lbs? Must of been a skinny SOB. Blues really aren't that different from channels in body structure. This Blue is only 4'7" but weighed 104 lbs.
This fish is the Ky state record, and was also released.
If it was indeed a Channel, it surely would have been a record.
If you don't care about the stand (have it on a cinder block stand), then you can probably get a pretty big tank. And it will be muich easier to find a good deal on just the tank, instead of stand and tank. If you can get a tank of atleast 125g, you can house stocky fish up to 12" or so. If you can get a tank of 180g then you could probably house a few 16-18" catfish comfortably.
This fish is the Ky state record, and was also released.
If it was indeed a Channel, it surely would have been a record.
If you don't care about the stand (have it on a cinder block stand), then you can probably get a pretty big tank. And it will be muich easier to find a good deal on just the tank, instead of stand and tank. If you can get a tank of atleast 125g, you can house stocky fish up to 12" or so. If you can get a tank of 180g then you could probably house a few 16-18" catfish comfortably.
If one is in search of catfish compatible for a 55gal tank, I'd suggest trying to get one's hands on a native bullhead catfish. They rarely grow beyond 12-14" in the wild, probably somewhat less in smaller creeks and ponds. They are hardy and have extremely ravenous appetites, though I'm not sure as to how agressively they'd pursue smaller feeder goldfish. I don't think that you'd ever have to get rid of it because of size, though you'll probably have to catch one from the wild for your tank. Young bullheads are very easy to spot and catch in the early summer, when they swim in a tight school and are guarded by their parents.
As for channel cats, I guess it comes down to whether or not you're willing to buy and keep a fish that you may one day have to get rid of once it outgrows your tank. I once kept a small gar in a fifteen gallon tank for a couple of months before I took it back to the dealer for a trade. Neither the fish nor I were any worse for the experience, and in my experience with channel cats, one should be able to keep you company for some time before it needs a new home. At the prices for which they sell, I cannot see the proposition as being cost prohibitive. As a coldwater fish, channel cats would be able to survive in an outdoor pond or the wild, though most jurisdictions have laws against releasing aquarium fish into native waters. Perhaps release into an enclosed farm pond would be both legal and humane where you live, but that would be up to you to determine
I hope that this is of some help,
Frank
PS. As an avid fisherman, I find it particularly interesting to observe aquarium fish that can be caught in the wild. This may make owning species like channel cats of particular interest to those who fish.
As for channel cats, I guess it comes down to whether or not you're willing to buy and keep a fish that you may one day have to get rid of once it outgrows your tank. I once kept a small gar in a fifteen gallon tank for a couple of months before I took it back to the dealer for a trade. Neither the fish nor I were any worse for the experience, and in my experience with channel cats, one should be able to keep you company for some time before it needs a new home. At the prices for which they sell, I cannot see the proposition as being cost prohibitive. As a coldwater fish, channel cats would be able to survive in an outdoor pond or the wild, though most jurisdictions have laws against releasing aquarium fish into native waters. Perhaps release into an enclosed farm pond would be both legal and humane where you live, but that would be up to you to determine
I hope that this is of some help,
Frank
PS. As an avid fisherman, I find it particularly interesting to observe aquarium fish that can be caught in the wild. This may make owning species like channel cats of particular interest to those who fish.
I had 3 small brown bull heads around 5'' and they ate every thing in the tank. I think they were stunted due to severe over crowding in a very small wild pond. They were cool but very shy to the light. I'd put feeders in the tank in the afternoon and by mourning most would be gone. I tried to get them on shrimp pellets but returned them to the tiny pond.
Asian redtails would probably kill the peacock bass, especially in a tank as small as a 55 gallon.
Yea, with my post I didn't even think about classifieds. I just meant that's the cost of a NEW tank. He also asked about getting EVERYTHING except fish for 300. I think (not considering classifieds) 200 dollars is the most you want to spend, considering you have to buy everything else to run the tank too. I like to go with good quality stuff, not the most expensive, but not cheap either! I'd rather pay a couple bucks more for peace of mind and a longer average lifespan of equipment. I would save at least 100 dollars for equipment is what I'm saying.
You might be able to find a good "package deal" in the newspaper classifieds though! Check it out.
You might be able to find a good "package deal" in the newspaper classifieds though! Check it out.
