beginner "monster" fish

[yoimb0b]

The time for me to get a fish tank has come. I am 16 years old, and currently work at a fish/ reptile store. I never really had interest in fish because i thought they were boring and lame, but working at the store has sparked an interest in them. Especially having to care for/ feed monsters like a red tail catfish, and a big ole silver arowana. Actually getting a fish tank would also help me to gain more knowledge of them as well. I have decided I want a freshwater tank for starters, but not sure on size as of now. However, I am very interested in getting some catfish, or pangesis hifin sharks. as far as size go, luckily, once they get fairly large I can take them back to my store to resell them, so the fact that the fish i want can get huge doesnt bother me.

Any advice? on a starter "monster" fish? I think some sort fo catfish would be my best bet right now (not necesarily a red tail) but i want a fish that does get decent sized. Any advice would be appreciated, thanx.

 

[amazonfishman]

It all depends on how big of tank your planning on purchasing or pond which if you want monster cats is probably more affordable and easier to maintain and or how long you plan on keeping them before getting rid of them. I would definately not buy a monster cat, grow it up and then sell it back to the pet store. You will lose a ton of money through having to feed that beast and they will give you bottom dollar for it in return not to mention the fact that more then likely the pet store is not going to have a good accomodation for a large catfish and will in turn probably die at the store. I know at the lfs I worked at we purchase fish back at 1/3 the value we sell them for, sucks for the customer but thats the way it is. What type of catfish are you looking for a little more specifically, south american, asian, african? What genre interests you the most? When you said pangesis hifin sharks do you mean pangasius catfish(paroon sharks) or chinese high fin sharks?

If you want a monster fish that will get big, but don't necessarily have the accomodations for it now, I would suggest the chinese high fin shark. They are potential monsters with a uber slow growth rate that get to around 4ft at adult size. Low maintence and low budget food wise since they eat algae and flakes at smaller sizes instead of feeders. If you decide what your looking for a little more specifically even if you don't know the name of it and have a pic, post up and I'm sure someone on here can give you a hand and lead you in the right direction on what to purchase and what to stay away from ~Trent

 

[Redtail_Watcher]

I do also certainly agree to what he says, FIsh sold back to the store for the price they they sell it for they will give you like 5-10percent porfit. Since you live in california you can have it warm all year around. I was kinda like you at sixteen wanting a gaint monster fish . Before you own fish i believe you should know how to cure almost all ehalements.

Constant Water changes everyday is your only real true friend to your fish cureing parisites.

 

[Redtail_Watcher]

I do also certainly agree to what he says, FIsh sold back to the store for the price they they sell it for they will give you like 5-10percent porfit. Since you live in california you can have it warm all year around. I was kinda like you at sixteen wanting a gaint monster fish . Before you own fish i believe you should know how to cure almost all ehalements.

Constant Water changes everyday is your only real true friend to your fish cureing parisites.

 

[gomezladdams]

I agree get fish you know you can take care of in terms of tank size.Get the biggest tank you can afford/fit.Everyone has to start somewhere

 

[thebestincali2000]

even though they look cute when they r small.NEVER get a pacu,they get too big too fast

 

[ospy]

Here is something to keep in mind when starting your first tank. Big fish eat little fish. It almost doesn't matter what fish either. If it will fit in there mouth comfortably, its food. And many catfish that get big also sport a big mouth. There mouth is like a garbage can scooping up (and at least tasting) whatever will fit in its mouth.