Lau Lau Catfish... not a great pet.

[Loco Lucas]

So, the local pet store brought in a Lau Lau catfish and had it in a tank. Well at $80 there was no way I was buying it. After a few months though of it killing everything in their tank and getting bigger, I bought it for $35.00
Now remember I know what I am getting into. Also, if I dislike a fish, I eat them.
So... this little monster joins the party.
Surprisingly it is a very slow growing catfish. Extremely territorial and, will kill other fish because he doesn't like them.
So... on with my story.
About a week ago, he has an extremely large lump inside him. Ok, count the fish in the tank. Nope, all there.
So... I wait. To my horror 2 green plastic barbs stick out of his gut!





So, I figured the fish to be dead... I would be! But I give him 4 days to see if he will barf it up or just die...

Well, after a WEEK there are 4 holes in his gut and he is still alive!

Time to get serious. So out come the surgery tools and I catch the little
Being not a fan of this fish I reach in, extract the wad of plastic plant and toss him back into the tank without being stabbed by spines.



It is covered in slime and stinks of course.

It has now been 4 days and that fish is still alive and back to eating!!!




He may just live to reach 9 inches.... he is 8 now... hhahahahhaha

 

[Nilsafeller]

So you bought a fish you KNOW you dont like.... and if it doesnt work out you're gonna eat him!?..... kay

 

[Loco Lucas]

So you bought a fish you KNOW you dont like.... and if it doesnt work out you're gonna eat him!?..... kay

Oh absolutely! Hahhahaha
First off, this is not by any means an "aquarium" fish... largest catfish in south America. If his personality was better, ok....
My love affair is with the RTC and a few other fish. Like the tinfoil barbs.
But as people find out I have larger tanks, I am given fish... some work, some are quite tasty.
I have zero issue cooking a 12 inch oscar.
What amazes me about the Lau Lau is the sort of lack of personality. Oh, that and it now appears to be indestructible.
Some people just LOVE gold fish.... others feed those same gold fish off to their pets. I am open and honest about my feelings on fish, types, and husbandry.

 

[krichardson]

LOL!.....good save at least.I must admit I have never seen an object protruding through a fish's stomach from the inside.I have never heard of a lau lau either for that matter.

 

[Nilsafeller]

I doubt A fish living in an aquarium has even close to the same nutritional value or taste.... so it doesnt make much sense to eat them imo but whatever floats your boat

 

[Loco Lucas]

LOL!.....good save at least.I must admit I have never seen an object protruding through a fish's stomach from the inside.I have never heard of a lau lau either for that matter.

I was very surprised to find out that the local pet shop would even bring one in. I would love to go to south America and hook one. True monsters. Hard to find information on them though.

 

[Loco Lucas]

I doubt A fish living in an aquarium has even close to the same nutritional value or taste.... so it doesnt make much sense to eat them imo but whatever floats your boat

Sort of like buying farm raised tilapia, shrimp, salmon, catfish, or trout. At least I know exactly what my fish eat.
As for taste, Oscars are eaten all the time in south America and Florida. Texture is very similar to catfish but without the muddy flavor.

 

[EntoStentor]

Is this "lau lau" B. filamentosum?

 

[Nilsafeller]

Sort of like buying farm raised tilapia, shrimp, salmon, catfish, or trout. At least I know exactly what my fish eat.
As for taste, Oscars are eaten all the time in south America and Florida. Texture is very similar to catfish but without the muddy flavor.

Well ya learn something new everyday! Lol

 

[EntoStentor]

Have you ever stopped and wondered how much potential food pet stores have?