Another African Tiger question for the experts

[allegra]

hello, I'm relatively new here and my question is what size tank would you experts say to be the minimum size for keeping ATFs? (And any other tips on keeping these great fish.)

I've kept 3 individuals in the past, with all 3 dying rather tragically and I was quite discouraged that I haven't attempted to keep them since.

The first one grew to 8 inches and was in a 125 gal. One day it got freaked out and ram into the tank wall, convulsed, and died right in front of my eyes.

The second one was about 5 inches and in a 60 gal. It met pretty much the same end when it ram into the wall.

The third one was in a 125 and one night I turned on the room light, it freaked out, jumped outta the tank by busting through the acrylic cover, landed on the floor, convulsed, and died.

[The TRUST]

I'd say to house an adult fish you need about a 1000G tank or more.

[piranha45]

A-MEN. Buy a pond or don't get one. These are open-water fish who's bodies are designed to speedily propel them through river currents and large bodies of water.

[hemptation88]

wow i cant believe they all died. I have a 5in in a 55 gallon and it hasnt died yet and its jumped out of the tank and hit himself against the glass. jus ended up w/ some broken teeth that healed quickly. The best thing you can do to stop them from hitting the sides so hard is putting some kind of background on the sides so they know when to stop. it pisses me off tho how scared they get

[allegra]

I'd say to house an adult fish you need about a 1000G tank or more.

I would assume it's for one of the non-goliath species?

[The TRUST]

Even Vittatus get huge, so 1k G sounds about right.

[ashdavid]

I'd say to house an adult fish you need about a 1000G tank or more.

I agree with trust here. This would be probably too small for a goliath ATF, these fish are extremly fast and need lots of swimming room.

[tigerfangs]

Well, I wouldn't say 1000g is essential, nice yes, but not necessary. I would say that the bare minimum for a Vittatus being a 360g standard measurement of 8'x3'x2'. Of course, bigger is always better, 500g would be nice. In the wild they do reach 3', but in captive conditions, a large Vittatus is about 2'(+/- a few "). When that size they aren't normally very skittish so it should be fine.
For a Goliath, bare minimum 900g+. In the wild they reach 5'+, captive conditions 3-4'? There is so little if any information on these. Time will tell.

[PhullTank57]

Kept a 17"+ Forskalli in a 240g... did fine for awhile, but i'd definitely go wider tho... 3.5ft. and up. GL! :headbang2

[ashdavid]

Kept a 17"+ Forskalli in a 240g... did fine for awhile, but i'd definitely go wider tho... 3.5ft. and up. GL! :headbang2

That is a nice fish! :headbang2

[tigerfangs]

Hey Phully, I remember seeing a pic of your monster ATFs former tankmate that was pushing 20"+. What size tank is it in?

[PhullTank57]

Hey Phully, I remember seeing a pic of your monster ATFs former tankmate that was pushing 20"+. What size tank is it in?

Hey Tigerfangs,,, yeah that ATF belonged to a buddy of mine... probably much bigger now?!! :22_yikes: kept it in a 900g tank.


MONSTER FORSKALLI!!... :y220d:

[allegra]

Thanx for the input guys and nice fish!

[tigerfangs]

Hey Tigerfangs,,, yeah that ATF belonged to a buddy of mine... probably much bigger now?!! :22_yikes: kept it in a 900g tank.


MONSTER FORSKALLI!!... :y220d:

Thanks man, That thing is a Bad MoFo!!!

[Chad]

What is there temperment like at large sizes? Was thinking of growing a group of 5 out for my Odd ball pond.

[tigerfangs]

They tend to stop being so skittish. Also, though generally not too aggressive, some individuals become increasingly belligerant, taking shots at their tankmates, not only other ATFs.
Smaller fish previously not looked at as prey may be added to the menu, because their jaws and teeth are more developed and much larger which enables them to neatly slice other fish (much to large to swallow whole) to bite sized pieces.

[IoStrisciare]

Any info abt forskalli? eg. size, temperament and requirements?

I heard they are v delicate when young...

[viper]

HAVE A 12 INCH ONE VERY NERVOUS FISH IF YOU EVEN LOOK AT HIM HE TAKES OFF INTO THE GLASS OR ATTEMPS TO JUMP OUT VERY SCARY.WHEN I GO TO CLEAN THE INSIDE GLASS HE,S JUMP OUT SEVERAL TIMES.NOT REALLY WORRIED ANYMORE THEY SELL THEM CHEAP IN DELAWARE 30-40 DOLLARS.

[hemptation88]

Is this a goliath or vittatus??

[IoStrisciare]

Is this a goliath or vittatus??

vittatus...

def not goliath....

[ashdavid]

vittatus...

def not goliath....


I agree definately Vittatus.

[hemptation88]

yeh thats what i thought damn that suxs i think the 1 i traded that 1 in for was a goliath, i only did it cuz it was small and it banged up its teeth and wasnt eatin. i didnt kno much back then so i switched em such a mistake

[smoke187]

Hey guys,

I pretty much have the same looking ATF that hemptation88 has in his photo, but what are the key charactheristics that shows you weather it is a Vittatus or a Goliath? any particular markings, body shape?

Thanks!

[BUBBA]

you would need at least a 900 gallon.
i had a few of the Vitattus small 3".
Sold them to a buddy thats growing them out in a 900

[tigerfangs]

Hey guys,

I pretty much have the same looking ATF that hemptation88 has in his photo, but what are the key charactheristics that shows you weather it is a Vittatus or a Goliath? any particular markings, body shape?

Thanks!

Key differences:

H. Goliath
Lack of prominant lateral striping.
Lack of yellow on fins. The only color on fins is red on the lower lobe of the caudal (tail) fin. The caudal fin becomes a bit more broad than on Vittatus as the fish grows, not as a juvie.
More elongated face and mouth.
Larger teeth than Vittatus of same size.

Vittatus
Prominant lateral stripes.
More colorful fins. Caudal fin has red on the lower lobe and yellow on upper. Pelvic and anal fins have yellow with white tips.

All ATFs will get the pointed sickle shaped ends on their caudal fin.

[BUBBA]

Key differences:

H. Goliath
Lack of prominant lateral striping.
Lack of yellow on fins. The only color on fins is red on the lower lobe of the caudal (tail) fin. The caudal fin becomes a bit more broad than on Vittatus as the fish grows, not as a juvie.
More elongated face and mouth.
Larger teeth than Vittatus of same size.

Vittatus
Prominant lateral stripes.
More colorful fins. Caudal fin has red on the lower lobe and yellow on upper. Pelvic and anal fins have yellow with white tips.

All ATFs will get the pointed sickle shaped ends on their caudal fin.

Your Avatar is Off the Hook.

[tigerfangs]

Thanks man...

[smoke187]

Thanks tigerfangs, I guess I have a Vittatus... anyone know how big they get?

Thanks :)

[tigerfangs]

If kept in a large enough tank and conditions are correct, it might reach 30".

[hydrocynus7]

:headbang2 We had one at the TN. Aquarium in the early 90's that I think was "just" a vittatus. It was at least 24" , probably larger. The tank was about 8'-8' - 6' or so . It was a perfect fish, I don't know what happened to it though after I left. :shakehead