Pangasius catfish Q's

T

TerribleJakes

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Dec 31, 2010
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Massachusetts
I've had my pangasius cat, Billy, for over a year now. He was upgraded to a 55gal tank 8 months ago, yet he's still only 6". I've heard that 1year old pangasius should be 10"+. I just purchased a 180gal. tank for him because im afraid of him stunting/becoming unhealthy. I really love my stupid $6 fish... haha I attached some pictures of him in his 55gal. He looks healthy to me, but im no expert. 2nd opinion??

I've tried to get more irredescents over the past 8 months for him to hang out with, but they all die within 1-3 weeks. My waters fine and they dont appear to have any bites on them. I was wondering if Billy would kill them since he's been the only one for so long? Also would it work if I get 2 more when the 180gal is ready and add them all at the same time?

Thank you

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if there's a territorial problem I would add the other fish first to your new tank, then Billy. It might neutralize his aggression to the other fish,if he's the one killing off any of the fish you've put in.
 
I have read around that pangasius catfish can easily reach lengths of 4-5ft. Are you can handle two of them?
 
Body shape seems to be bit off but wouldnt worry too much since he will be in much larger tank soon.
I havnt seen such aggression toward their mates. Perhaps due to other reasons. Although you were able to keep one for over a year at present condition, it does not necessarily mean it is/was acceptable for new addition.

Def should see faster growth in 180G.

I found them to have wider ranged ideal conditions but sensitive to sudden/drastic changes.

Try adding new ones and Billy to 180G at the same time when new tank is well established.
 
For how young he was when he was transfered to the 55 I wouldn't think he would be stunted. What was he in before? Usually they can still hit full size even in a 55 if filtration is good ect.
 
Havnt seen 4' iridescents in home aquariums but have seen many up to 16-18" in home aquarium.

Hard to pic 16-18" Ir Sk in 55G regardless of filtration.:)
 
I rescued one from a friend and it was about 20". A year later when I sent it on to a pond it was almost 30".
 
We got him when he was 2"-2 1/2" knowing nothing about fish tanks or anything. He was in a 20 gal coffee table tank, but within a month I fell in love and got him the 55 gal... now I just got the 180 and we're working on setting it up (lol yes im in love with my $5 fish).

I just switched to the test kit drops rather then the dip sticks and realized my nitrates are high a month ago too... I've been doing more frequent water changes but it doesnt seem to want to stay down. Right now in the 55gal I have the Pangasius cat, a banjo cat, an adopted gourami, pleco, 2 ballas (2-3"), 2 weather loaches, 2 platys, small crayfish(sp?) and some ghost shrimp. Wow, it sounds like a lot when I type it all, but they're all small.

Any tips with nitrates? I guess im still a noob after all.... 8)
I really want to get it right with the 180... Thank you all for the tips, Billy-the-fainting-goat-shark appreciates it (he passed out for the first week straight when we got him...)
 
pangasius cats or iradesant sharks as some call them can easily reach 3-4 ft in length. However assuming he is not growing as fast as he should be which im not sure how long he should be at this stage i would look at other sources other then to small of a tank. The only thing that limits the growth of a fish assuming it has an unlimited supply of food is water quality and disease. So contiualy test your water find out what type of water he actually needs does he need a lightly soft and acidic water or neatural water. If all water params are in line look to some type of pathogen. Pathogens can sometimes be hard to diagnose espically in fish espcially if you dont know what your looking for. It could be a parasitic infection and if it is i would assume its something in the G.I. tract considering the lack of growth. Is it viral, it could be bacterial, and if it is trying to figure out if it is a gram negative or gram postitve infection will be key to determining what antibiotic you use. It could also be fungal though unlikley considering true fresh water fungal infections are very rare but its always a possible suspect. It could also be neoplasty (cancer) if it is the only thing you can do is make it comfoftable as most fish with neoplastic cases will likelyt die from a bacterial or viral infection due to a suppressed immune system long before the cancer gets them.
 
Since you done well with this Ir Sk for over a year, I wouldnt do anything other what youve been doing Unless you specifically can spot symptoms which can direct you to take an action(s).

Although hard to tell from single pic if you need to be concerend but I wouldnt jump the gun, especially in your case.

As far as nitrates, provided your tap water is free of NO3, you need to replace more than what's being produced in the tank to see a decrease. A small but frequent wc usually does it but would NOT be too worried either unless very high. Let green algae grow on the back glass which is + in controlling some nitrates or add live plants if and when desired/possible.
Caution: live plants could bring in unwanted pathogens thus should sterilize well before adding to tank which does not show any problems.


Like I said, you did well so far so no drastic actions are needed, imo.

Good Luck with new home for Billy + his buddies.

Out of curiosity pH?
 
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