What kind of Catfish for 240 gallons?

[Fishman Dave]

Yes, kept her solitary in a 150g (6x2x2) until almost 24" purely because she would tear anything else to pieces, including my hand. Although had to move her to the pond at that size, age around 4 yrs. But I would suggest due to her solitary behaviour, her willingness to interact with me , (even though it was aggressive) and her quite sedentary and basic requirements ( in catfish terms) she would be about the biggest thing suitable for a 240g, although there are other similar options (although sometimes harder to pick up).

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

Yes, kept her solitary in a 150g (6x2x2) until almost 24" purely because she would tear anything else to pieces, including my hand. Although had to move her to the pond at that size, age around 4 yrs. But I would suggest due to her solitary behaviour, her willingness to interact with me , (even though it was aggressive) and her quite sedentary and basic requirements ( in catfish terms) she would be about the biggest thing suitable for a 240g, although there are other similar options (although sometimes harder to pick up).

So a 96 x 24 x 24 would not be enough for one for life? Would a 72 x 30 x 24 be enough?

Also, what would the similar options be? Very new to catfish.

 

[Fishman Dave]

All depends on morality, who you ask, your definition of life, how you think, etc.
Based on all the above, there is no real answer!
ask 10 people what the biggest fish for a 72x30x24 is (or should be) and you will get maybe 7 different answers.
I thought that she had gotten too big for her tank, moved her to a pond and she sits in one place all day long. But I am confident that she explores the whole pond at night.
my opinion, for what it is worth, is that if I saw a wykii needing rescuing and had a 240g to put her in for life , I would do it every time. If I were to purposefully buy a baby one for a 240g , I would think longer and harder............. But probably still buy her....... And that might well be a poor reflection on me (hence having a pond).

In the same family, h. Nemurus , especially the albino variety, although I am yet to see one anywhere close to their maximum quoted size of 25" , or h.filamentus.
There is the other red tail cat, h.wyckioides and h. Variagatus available but both will grow too big in its lifetime. most others are 8" ers.
Note that hemibagrus come with a number of tempraments, usually ranging from aggressive to psycho, but occasionally you find a placid one.

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

All depends on morality, who you ask, your definition of life, how you think, etc.
Based on all the above, there is no real answer!
ask 10 people what the biggest fish for a 72x30x24 is (or should be) and you will get maybe 7 different answers.
I thought that she had gotten too big for her tank, moved her to a pond and she sits in one place all day long. But I am confident that she explores the whole pond at night.
my opinion, for what it is worth, is that if I saw a wykii needing rescuing and had a 240g to put her in for life , I would do it every time. If I were to purposefully buy a baby one for a 240g , I would think longer and harder............. But probably still buy her....... And that might well be a poor reflection on me (hence having a pond).

Well I'm either going to get a 96x24x24 or a 72x30x24 and am trying to think long term. I am going to be starting with a Piraya but I'm just thinking about what the tank could be used for in the future. What other catfish are there with the looks of the Hemibagrus wyckii? I love the head she has. And her slim build and her fins. Similar to the redtail and gulper. I don't like the look of other catfish with pointed heads etc.

In the same family, h. Nemurus , especially the albino variety, although I am yet to see one anywhere close to their maximum quoted size of 25" , or h.filamentus.
There is the other red tail cat, h.wyckioides and h. Variagatus available but both will grow too big in its lifetime. most others are 8" ers.
Note that hemibagrus come with a number of tempraments, usually ranging from aggressive to psycho, but occasionally you find a placid one.

How big could I expect a Hemibagrus wyckii to get? Would 24" width be enough? Or would that be pushing it?

 

[Fishman Dave]

Bolt cat is a good option for a 6 *2 of you want something decent looking that you can keep there for life and "acts as a catfish" but will accept tank mates. Will only grow to 14" .

You would be pushing it with 24 wide as the fish can get 24 and maybe even 30 so she will be turning by going up the glass.

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

Bolt cat is a good option for a 6 *2 of you want something decent looking that you can keep there for life and "acts as a catfish" but will accept tank mates. Will only grow to 14" .

hmmm. Not a fan of it's looks. It has the right head but the body shape looks odd to me. Plus it's eyes are in the wrong place. Maybe I'm being too picky lol. I love the body shape and head of the redtail and Hemibagrus wyckii though. That's the look I'm looking for. Plus I love the aggression. Gives them more personalty to me.

 

[Fishman Dave]

How about Leiarius pictus ?
max of under 24" . Stunning to look st , especially when young. Long whiskers, wideish mouth.
can rule out Leiarius marmoratus as that will grow too big.

Interesting choice by the way to start with Pirahna. Had 6 red bellied in the 6x2 before the Wykii, along with plecs, and 14 jewel cichlid. Pirahna would only ever take bites out of each other.

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

You would be pushing it with 24 wide as the fish can get 24 and maybe even 30 so she will be turning by going up the glass.

Not a fan of the coloration. I like that uniform color wither all one color or has a base color and then some markings. Sort of like how the redtail has uniform coloration. And how the Hemibagrus wyckii has that strong black base.

Interesting choice by the way to start with Pirahna. Had 6 red bellied in the 6x2 before the Wykii, along with plecs, and 14 jewel cichlid. Pirahna would only ever take bites out of each other.

Yeah that's what got me interested in the hobby actually. I started out thinking I was going to go with red bellies but then people told me they were skittish (I know it all depends on the fishes personalty), and looked into others. That's when I found the Piraya. I would only be keeping a solitary fish with a Piraya. Not a shoal or anything. In the 96x24x24 I mean. But I've been exploring my options for the future and catfish is at the top of my list. Love me a good catfish. But redtails are too big and need a pond so when I saw the Hemibagrus wyckii in your profile pic, I was like wow what is that? But as you said, it would require more width and everyone has different opinions on the size of tank. I notice that a lot with Piranha too. Some people say a Piraya could be in a 125 for life. Others say no way. So I figured I could get a 240 gallon tank to be safe. But way into the future I do want to keep a catfish but don't really want to have another massive tank. Miswell get one big one and stick with that. But maybe I'll have to.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I would consider one of the larger growing acanthicus plecos. Leaves you plenty of options for tankmates as well.

 

[The-Almighty-Zugs]

I would consider one of the larger growing acanthicus plecos. Leaves you plenty of options for tankmates as well.

I'm okay with a solitary fish. I find it really cool to have an aggressive solitary predator fish.