Six GATF from Wes

[thebiggerthebetter]

I think I have 7 or 8 surviving new GATF at 2"-3". Eating minced fish and frozen blood worm well. So there is hope.

... I've long been an advocate of dithers for ATF....

Serves me right. I should have read and re-read more carefully your ATF write-up / stickie.

first time I've heard about the 30k gallon tank with gatfs..... where is this? I'm so curious now. That must be enormous... I know I've seen swimming pool sized setups here in Asia but was wondering if you were referring to in the states. fugupuff

Wes says it is a 35,000 gal tank of his friend's. He sent me a video or two if it before on the phone. The friend is not on MFK and I am guessing is probably private. I believe this is in the US. Must be California.

 

[amazonrivermonsters]

Great job growing them out!

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Video update on the GATF - five 8"-9" one-year-olds and eleven 3" new arrivals:

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Minus one more larger GATF.

Did the same thing as the first. Ran into something hard. Struggled for a day and passed away. So many calm dithers in that tank. It looks like sardines in a can. So dithers alone is not the answer for me. Need to cushion the end sides and the lid.

Wes says the GATF do better in either a very small tank or a very large tank and also better solo because when there is a group of them, they become more skittish and tend to dart more. Counter-intuitive but got to trust Wes, of course.

Down to 4 from original 6.

Note missing front teeth. Got knocked out this time or before, I don't know.

 

[Hendre]

Aww shucks. That's really not nice

 

[moe214]

I just really hope you get grow one big

 

[fishtankphil]

I believe it is better off rearing one solo instead of a school. Ime, maintaining one fish in a big tank with limited stock has worked out for me several times. Attempting a group always has ended in frustration. I have one gatf, around 15" in a 8x4 tank with a few prized fish. All are big enough not to be eaten and do damage to the tiger. Regardless it still will spook when the opportunity presents itself although not common. Most of the time it dose great, eats anything i feed it, unfortunately pellets are a work in progress. Will even eat super worms that originally were for my 30" blk aro. Plenty of oxygen and flow, along with min decor had given him plenty of swimming space and less likelihood of hitting himself against anything! I believe most make the mistake in beliveing that atf are "community " fish of which i disagree and need adequate space, water flow, tons of oxygen and a stable environment!

 

[Lugal]

IMO some experienced aquarist bought AFT in packs to find the best one and keep it then sell the rest. However, it's true that housing one in very large tank with few non-aggressive tank mate reduced a chance ATF ramming itself to glass greatly.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Having seen multiple adult GATF in swimming pool sized ponds (info and pics from Instagram or FB provided by N nzafi ) I harbor a hope that this may be doable in very large setups.

 

[moe214]

Having seen multiple adult GATF in swimming pool sized ponds (info and pics from Instagram or FB provided by N nzafi ) I harbor a hope that this may be doable in very large setups.

Treat them like your piraiba lol