Piraiba needs hiding place.
Black ear shark catfish, ~1', in 4500 gal, lone survivor, 1 for 5
- Thread starter thebiggerthebetter
- Start date
Man! You got an eye of an eagle, a memory of an elephant, and a sense of humor to kill! That's a dangerous combo.
He is on parole indeed LOL!
No, of course not. Once a jerk, always a jerk. The first several weeks to a month, I thought there was a good chance it'd find itself in one of the two VATF jaws sooner or later. They were chasing the dorado, not 100% of the time but every now and then (there is a lot of fish for dorado to hide behind and fall out of VATF field of vision) ... and with an intent. Just the same way they killed one of my 2' yellowcheeks. But, thank goodness, the dorado proved to be a superb swimmer (anything that can get away from VATF must be), an alert and smart guy and an ATF "avoider".
It made 4500 gal its home. Started stuffing itself with fish out of the blue - I have had it for 2+ years and it had never ever touched fish, only took pellets. Overall, started feeding 10x more than in 240 gal. Bosses around other fish and I did see it bite or trying to bite / nip or trying to nip injured balas, tinfoils, and the black ear too. I've not watched enough yet to see if it does it to other fish and healthy fish. I'd not be surprised but you know... presumption of innocence... to continue in the vein you so masterfully started
I doubt it. They are not a hiding fish at any age, same as juruense, capapretum, most of tigs, and platynemum.
What it needs is for the alpha Sperata aor (and bowfin sometimes) to stop pestering it, it looks like to me.
Man! You got an eye of an eagle, a memory of an elephant, and a sense of humor to kill! That's a dangerous combo.
He is on parole indeed LOL!
No, of course not. Once a jerk, always a jerk. The first several weeks to a month, I thought there was a good chance it'd find itself in one of the two VATF jaws sooner or later. They were chasing the dorado, not 100% of the time but every now and then (there is a lot of fish for dorado to hide behind and fall out of VATF field of vision) ... and with an intent. Just the same way they killed one of my 2' yellowcheeks. But, thank goodness, the dorado proved to be a superb swimmer (anything that can get away from VATF must be), an alert and smart guy and an ATF "avoider".
It made 4500 gal its home. Started stuffing itself with fish out of the blue - I have had it for 2+ years and it had never ever touched fish, only took pellets. Overall, started feeding 10x more than in 240 gal. Bosses around other fish and I did see it bite or trying to bite / nip or trying to nip injured balas, tinfoils, and the black ear too. I've not watched enough yet to see if it does it to other fish and healthy fish. I'd not be surprised but you know... presumption of innocence... to continue in the vein you so masterfully started
I doubt it. They are not a hiding fish at any age, same as juruense, capapretum, most of tigs, and platynemum.
What it needs is for the alpha Sperata aor (and bowfin sometimes) to stop pestering it, it looks like to me.
Odd that, considering sport fishermen often catch them around brush, at least until they get about 3 feet or so.
I'm sure Warden Viktor is the only person that can keep the peace in the Big House Tank. Just don't bend over to pick up the net.
What's that golden catfish? Nemurus? Beautiful with long fin.
Thank you for this interesting tidbit. Your knowledge of unusual facts is inspiring. Perhaps it is its preferred hunting grounds but who knows. What I mentioned occurs in fish tanks of course. Little natural there.
Haha ... Remember I am wearing two pairs of undies and two layers of sport pants. I can safely bend any time I wish to.
I think we should cut it off right here
If you mean this guy then yes https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/posts/7642518
Exactly a year ago in May 2018, the black ear had been taken out of the 4500 gal, where it was occasionally attacked badly, and placed temporarily in a 240 gal. The "temporary" has been a year now. The fish took this change hard and was pacing along the walls rubbing its snout in one spot until a sore formed, which then after more rubbing turned into a blister, which too grew bigger and bigger. You'll see it in the video. Next time I have to rehome it, I will surgically remove it. The fish also took a few months to start feeding again. It has been feeding and behaving relaxed for the last 6-8 months more or less. Its current tank mate, the wels catfish, doesn't bother it, thanks goodness, because the wels has been a jerk to many other tank mates of his.
The dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the caudal fin of the black ear have not grown back to their original size and shape, I guess because the damage has been too extensive and/or too repetitive over the years - these spots would often get attacked, presumably by the VATF.
The current size of the black ear is about 1.5', which seems like it has been stuck at for a long, long time. For a 4 year old black ear, I think this is not good - either its troubled history and tribulations it has gone through in my "care" or that it is a cull from the farming (I assume everyone of those we get in the ornamental fish trade is such, just like the IDS), or both, IDK.
What ages and sizes are your black ears?
I struggle to recall even one more report on MFK of a current active member who would report on a black ear that's more than 1-2 years old and bigger than 8"-10". They are indeed hard to keep though, I have learned firsthand and reported here.
The dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the caudal fin of the black ear have not grown back to their original size and shape, I guess because the damage has been too extensive and/or too repetitive over the years - these spots would often get attacked, presumably by the VATF.
The current size of the black ear is about 1.5', which seems like it has been stuck at for a long, long time. For a 4 year old black ear, I think this is not good - either its troubled history and tribulations it has gone through in my "care" or that it is a cull from the farming (I assume everyone of those we get in the ornamental fish trade is such, just like the IDS), or both, IDK.
What ages and sizes are your black ears?
I struggle to recall even one more report on MFK of a current active member who would report on a black ear that's more than 1-2 years old and bigger than 8"-10". They are indeed hard to keep though, I have learned firsthand and reported here.
The camera made the tank look small then you went inside it.
Update on the black ear below. I am still working slowly on its new tank, 6000 gal.
One thing to note (in addition to the video narration) is that wels and black ear shark love affair has been over for a while now. Wels bumps into the shark and lightly bites it, its fins, but leaves no damage while the shark bites the wels with a purpose and often leaves caudal and anal fins tattered. They usually keep to the opposite ends of the tank.
This is the first time EVER that I have witnessed any kind of assertiveness out of the shark, any kind of fighting or aggression. It had always been "flight for your life" before, never fight.
One thing to note (in addition to the video narration) is that wels and black ear shark love affair has been over for a while now. Wels bumps into the shark and lightly bites it, its fins, but leaves no damage while the shark bites the wels with a purpose and often leaves caudal and anal fins tattered. They usually keep to the opposite ends of the tank.
This is the first time EVER that I have witnessed any kind of assertiveness out of the shark, any kind of fighting or aggression. It had always been "flight for your life" before, never fight.
Aqua imports has baby black ear pangius for sale Incase you ever want to get some more.