Arapaima Gigas

[johnptc]

Size can be looked at in a very simple method. Average length for an arapaima gigas is 10 feet. Some have been up to 15 feet. I've seen 14 feet in person, so it's not out of the question. Now put that length of your adult animal and figure out how it will fit in a tank/pond. Big circles, ovals or figure eight tanks/ponds are the best for them.

matt ... what you do consider adequate tank depth for a 12 foot diameter pool for gigas ??

i am working on either az 12 foot round or a 10x12 foot rectangle.........


thanks for you input !! johnptc

 

[bmxer4ever]

well he is right to some extent

this fish is just to large for the average fish keeper

Most people on this site are NOT your "average" fish keeper...! But I get your point.

 

[johnptc]

Most people on this site are NOT your "average" fish keeper...! But I get your point.

more gigas.......we have started a 5000 gallon giga tank.....hope to have fish in it in 30 days or so..........john

 

[bmxer4ever]

more gigas.......we have started a 5000 gallon giga tank.....hope to have fish in it in 30 days or so..........john

Cool.....pics pics pics !!

 

[johnptc]

Cool.....pics pics pics !!

lots of pics coming with a full article !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zoodiver]

Sweet! Adding more or relocating the current animal to a larger tank?

 

[johnptc]

Sweet! Adding more or relocating the current animal to a larger tank?

Matt. i appreciate your feedback on all the posts..........i assume you are the most knowlegable 'giga keeper' on the site !! ALTHOUGH i MUST DISAGREE ABOUT THE WETSUIT.........SURELY IN AN 81 DEGREE TANK IT MIGHT MAKE YOU TOO WARM !!!!

THE NEW TANK IS FOR OUR EXISTING GIGA ( 56 INCHES ) AND MAYBE A SOULMATE.

THE CURRENT TANK MAY GO SALTWATER IN THE FUTURE ( THINKING GOUPER ??)

i HAVE ELECTED TO GO WITH A RECTANGLE 10X13X5FT DEEP. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT ABOUT CORNERS ( ROUND) BUT DUE TO SPACE AND VIEWING WINDOWS I WENT THIS ROUTE...I HOPE MY GIGA FORGIVES ME !!

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP.

JOHN

PS HOPING FOR WATER AROUND DEC 10.............

 

[Zoodiver]

Sounds like an awesome upgrade. I can't wait to see it. Sounds like your's will be up and running before my next one will be.

The wetsuit is a much loved thing for me. Our shark exhibit is 74-76 right now...not too bad if you are swimming. But when you are in there for hours on end floating in one place to guard other divers from sharks, a little chilly. I also used to spend a few hours a week in a 48 F tank with a 5mm. Our big pool at Dallas World ran between 80 and 84. We wore wetsuits as protection from the other animals...not so much the water temp.

 

[bmxer4ever]

Matt. i appreciate your feedback on all the posts..........i assume you are the most knowlegable 'giga keeper' on the site !! ALTHOUGH i MUST DISAGREE ABOUT THE WETSUIT.........SURELY IN AN 81 DEGREE TANK IT MIGHT MAKE YOU TOO WARM !!!!

THE NEW TANK IS FOR OUR EXISTING GIGA ( 56 INCHES ) AND MAYBE A SOULMATE.

THE CURRENT TANK MAY GO SALTWATER IN THE FUTURE ( THINKING GOUPER ??)

i HAVE ELECTED TO GO WITH A RECTANGLE 10X13X5FT DEEP. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT ABOUT CORNERS ( ROUND) BUT DUE TO SPACE AND VIEWING WINDOWS I WENT THIS ROUTE...I HOPE MY GIGA FORGIVES ME !!

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP.

JOHN

PS HOPING FOR WATER AROUND DEC 10.............

So you are doubling the size from your current giga tank?
As for the corners, couldn't you radius them internally with concrete to form some sort of curve? Shouldn't be too hard to do - especially with the amount of work you're gonna HAVE to do to get the thing built in the first place?!
I guess you'd only have to put in a 2 foot radius to keep the gigas happy?
What do you think?
If you are going 13 feet wide then that would still leave you with at least an 8 foot space for the viewing window.....

 

[johnptc]

i will give it some thought........its all block construction...they dont do curves but concrete would.........john