Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Keeping Gulper Catfish

**digger** · 06-28-2008, 1:10 PM

I just got two gulpers and other than eating 4 feeders when I first got them they have not ate for 4 days now are the feeders to fast? also they only come out and swim at night which is completely different than what everyone else has said any suggestions or help?

**drahcir888** · 06-28-2008, 1:36 PM

wohooooo.......... beautiful ! just the fish i wanted. any chance of gettin 1 here in Kuala Lumpur??

**channarox** · 06-28-2008, 9:22 PM

Originally Posted by balton777;1927744;

It seems like Gulpers would swallow other gulpers. Why aren't they eating each other?

gulpers can blow themselves up like puffers to avoid getting eaten.

**channarox** · 06-28-2008, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by digger;1927852;

I just got two gulpers and other than eating 4 feeders when I first got them they have not ate for 4 days now are the feeders to fast? also they only come out and swim at night which is completely different than what everyone else has said any suggestions or help?

what kind of feeders?
they are probably just adjusting as they are nocturnal.
but theyl eventually come out during the day.

**koltsix** · 06-28-2008, 10:11 PM

Great write up Onion I love gulper's. As for why they don't eat each other it's because gulpers don't panic. They due bite each other' but I think they recognize their own kind and most fish swim into the gulpers mouth trying to get away. Gulpers are head grabbers and fish actually swim in once grabbed in a attempt to escape. Another gulper never makes that mistake they simply bite back. I've never seen a gulper panic they're almost apex predators so don't scare easily. I still plan on a gulper community just gotta size up that mouth and make sure his tankmates are of a deep bodied variety. Plus gotta calculate in growth. When I accomplish this I promise to post plenty of pics and info.

**Onion01** · 06-29-2008, 7:10 AM

Originally Posted by koltsix;1928792;

Great write up Onion I love gulper's. As for why they don't eat each other it's because gulpers don't panic. They due bite each other' but I think they recognize their own kind and most fish swim into the gulpers mouth trying to get away. Gulpers are head grabbers and fish actually swim in once grabbed in a attempt to escape. Another gulper never makes that mistake they simply bite back. I've never seen a gulper panic they're almost apex predators so don't scare easily. I still plan on a gulper community just gotta size up that mouth and make sure his tankmates are of a deep bodied variety. Plus gotta calculate in growth. When I accomplish this I promise to post plenty of pics and info.

very very true. They do nibble occasionally on each other. All the gulpers in my gulper tank have scratches from occasionally one trying to bite the other, but there have been no casualties.

**balton777** · 06-30-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by channarox;1928678;

gulpers can blow themselves up like puffers to avoid getting eaten.

Originally Posted by koltsix;1928792;

Great write up Onion I love gulper's. As for why they don't eat each other it's because gulpers don't panic. They due bite each other' but I think they recognize their own kind and most fish swim into the gulpers mouth trying to get away. Gulpers are head grabbers and fish actually swim in once grabbed in a attempt to escape. Another gulper never makes that mistake they simply bite back. I've never seen a gulper panic they're almost apex predators so don't scare easily. I still plan on a gulper community just gotta size up that mouth and make sure his tankmates are of a deep bodied variety. Plus gotta calculate in growth. When I accomplish this I promise to post plenty of pics and info.

That's really cool.

O, thanks for the writeup....this is great info for Gulper noobs like me.

**cigar larry** · 06-30-2008, 11:53 AM

Looking at 2 gulpers now. have to set up a tank. I'm thinking a 50gal for 2. How big do they get? Do they eat beef heart?

**KenyanSandBoa** · 06-30-2008, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by cigar larry;1933161;

Looking at 2 gulpers now. have to set up a tank. I'm thinking a 50gal for 2. How big do they get? Do they eat beef heart?

Common max size is around 11-12".

My gulpers have never showed interest in beefheart, but I think you may have luck if you offer large pieces to them. I only get the small frozen cubes, and they just ignore it. They will take pretty much anything with substance (i.e. HUGE

). My largest gulper is good for around a half a dozen jumbo shrimp per feeding!!!

**balton777** · 06-30-2008, 3:20 PM

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa;1933501;

Common max size is around 11-12".

My gulpers have never showed interest in beefheart, but I think you may have luck if you offer large pieces to them. I only get the small frozen cubes, and they just ignore it. They will take pretty much anything with substance (i.e. HUGE

). My largest gulper is good for around a half a dozen jumbo shrimp per feeding!!!

How often are their feedings?