Taking Care of Redtail Catfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
ChaosBreaker said:
I'm sorry I don't really know how to work this site /:

I only see him/her under my drift wood. When I turn off the light I saw a little movement but not much. He/she haven't been moving around much. I read that RTC r highly active fish and they move around a lot but I'm not sure what really going on. I haven't seen him go to the surface yet


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Yes RTC are very active fish indeed. Mine was Similar to a puppy in water literally! He used to come greet me every day from the time he was 6 inches he'd rub against my hand and sit there waiting for food. he could be across the tank and as soon as a piece of my hand hit the water he'd be right under running his head against my hand. When he hot really used to feeding he knew the difference between feeding time and just me observing the tank and at feeding time he'd sit on the surface with his mouth open just like a whale from SeaWorld waiting for me to toss a handful of massivore in his mouth LOL XD he truly was a very personable and interactive fish. He never hid and when I left the fish room he would angle his body facing the corner which faced the door exiting the room just watching me leave. He was very active active and would pace the tank daily just because he could. They are very active fish and I have noticed in a smaller yank they won't be. I grew him out in a 20 gallon long until he was 4 inches and then he went straight into a 180 gallon and eventually into an Intex pool. He was always active really and always kept chunky. I notice lots of RTC are kept skinny and malnourished and I think that effects how active they are as well. Lastly I think that diet and sociability has to do with how active they are. My RTC liked to be around his buddie my silver arowana. Lots of times I would catch them swimming beside eachother and when the RTC got tired of swimming he would lay along the bottom and my arowana would swing on beside him and get him going again lol. Sorry for rambling but yes RTC are active fish.

EDIT: to be honest my rtc grew from hardly 2 inches to 24 inches in about 6-8 months. He was 4 inches in a matter of weeks. I know your friend got it for you and all but what I'd do if I were in your shoes is give the RTC to an LFS because once he is bigger they are a lot harder to get rid of and the 10 gallon will honestly last maybe a month or so for him at most. I know your friend got it as a gift and you want to keep it but it's easier to get rid of it now then later.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
This is him/her in my 10 gallon. I'm sorry for the bad pic but that is the best I could do /: as u can see he/she is very small I just feed him/her for the first time before I post this. I got some shrimp from the market and I cut it into small piece then I turn off the light and feed him/her and he/she ate it. I was so glad because I didn't want he/she to die on me. Oh btw do anyone know how to tell a RTC sex? I went to my local pet store today and ask if they would take in my catfish but sadly they don't take in outside fish /: but I check out their fish section and I saw some RTC about double his/her size and I notice some of them have 2 white spot at the top fin is that how u identify their sex? I do have a 75 gallon tank but I have my flowerhorn in there and I don't think it's a good idea to put the RTC with my flowerhorn. As much as I want to keep him/her and watch him/her grow up I hope that I can find him a better home as fast as possible. I do enjoy having him/her but I want him/her to have a better life and home than what I could give him/her.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1415166500.615297.jpg
 
ChaosBreaker said:
This is him/her in my 10 gallon. I'm sorry for the bad pic but that is the best I could do /: as u can see he/she is very small I just feed him/her for the first time before I post this. I got some shrimp from the market and I cut it into small piece then I turn off the light and feed him/her and he/she ate it. I was so glad because I didn't want he/she to die on me. Oh btw do anyone know how to tell a RTC sex? I went to my local pet store today and ask if they would take in my catfish but sadly they don't take in outside fish /: but I check out their fish section and I saw some RTC about double his/her size and I notice some of them have 2 white spot at the top fin is that how u identify their sex? I do have a 75 gallon tank but I have my flowerhorn in there and I don't think it's a good idea to put the RTC with my flowerhorn. As much as I want to keep him/her and watch him/her grow up I hope that I can find him a better home as fast as possible. I do enjoy having him/her but I want him/her to have a better life and home than what I could give him/her.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Are you in cali? If ur anywhere near me you can always bring him to me if you want. I have a intex pool that could house it it housed my old RTC. Again it's only an option if you really need the helping hand.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Yes i am in Cali but which city do u live in? I ask my friend today if I can put my RTC in her koi pond when he grow up. But just to make sure if her dad doesn't want it in their koi pond I would to love to have him in a better home than my 10 gallon


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Chicxulub said:
Consider taking him back to the pet store. It sounds as if you're in WAY over your head.
Click to expand...

Bro he said his lfs wouldn't take it he already tried that route. It was given to him as a gift he didn't buy it. That's why he is in a bad spot. It seems like he never intended gor this to happen. And yes he is in over his head as he stated he is looking for advice/options. He never has had a catfish like this he also said. Regardless most you can do OP is give him away FAST. It won't be long before he outgrows the 10 or gets stunted in the 10 gallon. You really have a much shorter time span of him growing or becoming stunted than you think. Best of luck man! All I can say is rehome him soon, really soon. Or else risk being stuck with him either stunted, too big for the tank or in the worst case dead.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
that_fish_Guy said:
Bro he said his lfs wouldn't take it he already tried that route. It was given to him as a gift he didn't buy it. That's why he is in a bad spot. It seems like he never intended gor this to happen. And yes he is in over his head as he stated he is looking for advice/options. He never has had a catfish like this he also said. Regardless most you can do OP is give him away FAST. It won't be long before he outgrows the 10 or gets stunted in the 10 gallon. You really have a much shorter time span of him growing or becoming stunted than you think. Best of luck man! All I can say is rehome him soon, really soon. Or else risk being stuck with him either stunted, too big for the tank or in the worst case dead.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...

Chill, chill I missed that part. :lol3:

Yeah then, try to find it a new home. That thing will poop itself into poor health in a hurry in a 10g.
 
Well good news is my friend dad will take it. He going to grow it out in their cichlid community tank then the RTC will go into their koi pond so I think that should be good for the RTC for a while. Thx guys :) and good thing is I can always visit him/her when ever I want so cheer :D


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
One thing you should think of is the fact that the RTC will eat the cichlids, and the koi, it all kinda depends on the size of the cichlids and koi.
I have read that RTCs are relatively peaceful with things their own size, they cant swallow but as soon as they start getting to down to something they can eat they will eat it. Someone who knows what size prey compared to body size they can take will hopefully write it :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom