Asain Redtailed Catfish

[Mikeamat0]

Hey guys just a quick question.

I got an asain redtailed catfish about a week ago maybe a little more. He seemed fine swimming around doing whatever the whole time. The first night of having him i tried feeding him a pellet and he did eat it but ever since than he has just layed vertically against the glass of the tank behind an object i have in the tank and rarely moves. Ive tried feeding him a few times since than with bloodworms & more pellets but he does not even move when they are dropped by him. Could anyone help or have any ideas?

 

[Mikeamat0]

ALSO, i just read that the aquarium LED lights that are inside the tank that i keep on constantly might be the reason why he doesnt come out AT ALL could that be the reason why?

 

[Ogertron3000]

It's probably just insecure in a new tank and would like more hidig places, the lights are most likely freaking him out too. Add some more cover where he can shelter and it will feel more comfortable.
Also make sure you remove the uneaten food or the water will get polluted.
The main thing to ask is do you have any idea how big these fish get? How big is your tank? Are you ready for a 3 foot long fish for the next 10 years?
This isn't the fish that you buy on impulse, if you've got the correct set up then good ,uck, if not I would take it back to the shop and swap it for something more realistic.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t asian red tail catfish get to 2 feet not 3 feet?

 

[Ogertron3000]

I've heard they can get to 4 feet, they are illegal here so I've only ever seen them 3 times and they were all small and ultra expensive. Even if they only got to 2 foot they still need A huge tank and shouldn't be kept by most people.
To be honest if they weren't illegal I would have got one myself in my younger days and kept it in a 3 foot tank, now I wouldn't consider it so I try not to judge people who make dodgy decisions if they don't know better.
The bottom line is they get too big for the majority of people to house properly and it's cruel to keep them if you can't provide the correct conditions, I don't know anything about the guy that posted this so not accusing him of cruelty but also doubt he has a 10 foot tank so would advise him/her to swap it for a more manageable fish.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Actually they can grow around 4'. One of the large Hemibagrus species. I believe they can get to 3' max in captive but it takes more than 10 years & big space.

You can stunt your ARTC growth. They effect heavily on space. They won't outgrow a tank they're in but that just being cruel.

 

[fishhead0103666]

The bottom line is they get too big for the majority of people to house properly

I didn’t know this was tinytetrakeepers.com

 

[Chefken]

and your b

I didn’t know this was tinytetrakeepers.com [/QUOTE

And your biggest tank is........

 

[dan518]

I didn’t know this was tinytetrakeepers.com

No its MFK where we offer useful practical advice and information.

 

[dan518]

How long has the tank been set up, is it properly cycled.
What are the water parameters.
What size is the tank.
What is your water change schedule.
Always things people need to know before offering up advice.
Having a light on 24/7 won't help.