'Blue Channel Cat'?

G

Gambusia

AC Members
Nov 26, 2003
976
0
0
45
Visit site
Saw some 'channel cats" at a local pet store.

Are these the same channel catfish found in our wild lakes?

Thanks
 
I go channel catfishing and they look the same as the fry in the lakes I fish.

That is why I am asking. Channel cats can reach 56 pounds.

I hope people realize that.
 
Originally posted by Gambusia
Channel cats can reach 56 pounds.

I hope people realize that.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. Unfortunately, LFS in general are notorious for selling fish that are cute when juveniles, but rapidly outgrow the tank they are likely to be placed in.
  • Oscars
  • Goldfish
  • Common Plecos
  • Bala "sharks"
are among the fish most commonly subject to this sort of abuse.
 
Yes blue channel cat fish get very large. I had one for about two years, and he was 9 months old when I got him. He grew to a whopping 18 inches long and 9 inches round. Unfortunately I had to move my tanks and he just couldn't handle the stress and he was dead within hours. He was housed in 168 gallon tank. He was awesome, but...he started to eat my beautiful cichilids.
 
I wondered this before and found they are the same scientific name so yes, they are the same as the wild fish. One good thing is you can eat them once they're grown. Kyle
 
Yep, Being a fisherman and an aquarium guy, I checked into this as well, One of the things I've found in my travel is that Channels come in avariety of colors in the wild, They are of course the smaller of the catfish commonly fished for in this country (Blue cats being the biggest and Flatheads pulling a close second), but down south where there is a long growing season they do get over 50# the Ohio State record is still at 26 I believe, but unless you want to change tank temperatures to simulate a long winter, you won't control growth. The thing that always suprised me is how fragile they seem to be in an aquarium vs the fact that they are tough as nails in the wild. One of the most difficult to kill fish there is.
 
There are very aggressive too. Even fish that doesn't fit in their mouths get abused. Don't forget to add ID sharks to the list.
 
you want an aggressive catfish, get a flathead. you'll be hard pressed to find a fish big enough to stay with one. Kyle
 
I'd just like to have a tank big enough to house a 90# flathead, might stick a snapping turtle, and a big carp in with him if you had the space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom