ATF question, LFS says they'll stay smaller

[OldSchool]

Here's a question for everyone, especially Fangs...

I've got 3 ATF's, vittatus, all around 4". They're currently in a 120gal. I went to my LFS to trade them in as I don't think I've got enough space for them, or, even just one. They assured me that they've never heard of them getting beyond around 15" in an aquarium. Is this true, has anyone seen one bigger than that?

As it stands, I think I may have 3 ATF's available, very cheap. Let me know what your opinion is on this, please!

[tigerfangs]

I raised a Vittatus to 16" in a 180g several years ago. I currently have 3 that are approaching 15" now and have a Goliath that is 16". R1_Ridah traded a Vittatus he raised in a 125g that was at least 16" to Rare Fish last year. Phulltank57 had a 17" one for sale about a year ago. He said his bud has one that was closing in on 20".

Bottom line, they do get bigger than 15" in aquariums, reason we don't see more of them this size or larger is that most of the people who buy them as juvies, either lose them to tankmates, or give them up due to nervousness.

[R1_Ridah]

I agree w/Tfangs... had one that grew 15"+ on me =-)

The ones I currently have are already growing like crazy (see my post in lounge).
When they are small they are very fragile. As Tfangs said they can get taken out by other tank members. Two of mine got eaten by my PAYARA & believe it or not an ODOE PIKE :screwy:

[USMCtanker]

i cant wait tell mine get that big

[Atfownz]

i have couple that is only 2 to 3 inchess, what diets do you guys usually give them ?

[tigerfangs]

When small you can get them to eat many kinds of prepped foods. I fed mine krill, chopped shrimp, gamma fish, white fish, smelt, and rarely feeders.

[R1_Ridah]

i have couple that is only 2 to 3 inchess, what diets do you guys usually give them ?

Mine will eat Tetra Jumbo Sticks. Krill, Market Shrimp, good to start them off early use to a variety of foods. But 90% of my baby's eat fatheads/minnows what ever you call them =-) and goldfish.

I do water changes every other day and feed 500 feeders a week. I do a water change right before I dump the feeders in the tank. Then the next day I do another water change. Followed by every other day till the cycle starts again. I keep my water at 86 to speed up the metabolism.

Clean water, high temp, lot's of food = POWER GROWTH :naughty:

[Oddball]

Here's a question for everyone, especially Fangs...

I've got 3 ATF's, vittatus, all around 4". They're currently in a 120gal. I went to my LFS to trade them in as I don't think I've got enough space for them, or, even just one. They assured me that they've never heard of them getting beyond around 15" in an aquarium. Is this true, has anyone seen one bigger than that?

As it stands, I think I may have 3 ATF's available, very cheap. Let me know what your opinion is on this, please!

Just more lfs BS. They follow the credo "If you don't know, make something up"

[R1_Ridah]

Here's the 15" one I had in a 125 =-( You can see his snout all bashed. The result of keeping one in such a small tank =-(

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=2/medium/oldatf.JPG

[OldSchool]

Thanks guys. Well, appears I have some ATF's for sale then...guess I'll try to post in the buy sell :(

[Atfownz]

Mine will eat Tetra Jumbo Sticks. Krill, Market Shrimp, good to start them off early use to a variety of foods. But 90% of my baby's eat fatheads/minnows what ever you call them =-) and goldfish.

I do water changes every other day and feed 500 feeders a week. I do a water change right before I dump the feeders in the tank. Then the next day I do another water change. Followed by every other day till the cycle starts again. I keep my water at 86 to speed up the metabolism.

Clean water, high temp, lot's of food = POWER GROWTH :naughty:

nice thanks alot, ill try and let you know in future references.