What's the secret to big Armatus?

[Oompa Loompa]

What do yall think the secret to growing 2'+ armatus in captivity is?
Asian fishkeepers seem to have much less trouble with this than American fishkeepers - I know fugupuff has suggested that it's not because they're doing anything special, rather because they have lots of live feeders, and can perform heavy, frequent, warm water changes. Is it really this simple?

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you were to build something in the 15'+ range, 5 or 6 feet wide. Heavy heavy flow, with a few calm areas worked in. Start a group of small armatus in a large breeder box, and once they're feeding well and growing, move them into the larger tank. Why wouldn't they grow?

I guess you could rephrase the original question to "Why can't/haven't we grown armatus over 2 feet yet?"

 

[Chicxulub]

I agree with Wes' assessment of the situation.

There's also the fact that Americans have a proclivity for impatience to consider, when combined with the above, and it seems obvious. I'm sure there's plenty in the US, we just don't see as many here.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I agree with Wes' assessment of the situation.

There's also the fact that Americans have a proclivity for impatience to consider, when combined with the above, and it seems obvious. I'm sure there's plenty in the US, we just don't see as many here.

I can't imagine they're really all that different from other fish - just sensitive. It seems moving them kills a LOT of them - Vincent's 2+ footer was doing just fine, and died after it was moved. Starting them in a full-size tank has got to help with that issue.
Past that, frequent feedings, big tanks, and frequent water changes, and they can't be all that different from other fish.
Just my train of thought on it

 

[Chicxulub]

I can't imagine they're really all that different from other fish - just sensitive. It seems moving them kills a LOT of them - Vincent's 2+ footer was doing just fine, and died after it was moved. Starting them in a full-size tank has got to help with that issue.
Past that, frequent feedings, big tanks, and frequent water changes, and they can't be all that different from other fish.
Just my train of thought on it

Good point now that I think of it. Every time I had one go fins up on me back in the day, it was after a move.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Good point now that I think of it. Every time I had one go fins up on me back in the day, it was after a move.

I've got a feeling that could be the key. Since many people get them in small, and grow them out in something like a 150-180, before transferring to a larger tank - perhaps that's the main reason.
Would be interesting to start a group in a 12, 15+ foot tank and let them grow into it, and see how they do versus a smaller growout.

 

[Chicxulub]

I've got a feeling that could be the key. Since many people get them in small, and grow them out in something like a 150-180, before transferring to a larger tank - perhaps that's the main reason.
Would be interesting to start a group in a 12, 15+ foot tank and let them grow into it, and see how they do versus a smaller growout.

Yep, a 150 growout is where I always started mine.

I think you're on to it.

My next payaras I want to be a group of red tails. I've got a 550 I want to run as a dedicated soft water SA tank, and I'll start them in it. I'd love to get them up to 12" or so. We rarely ever see fat tats either, so maybe the same logic is in play ?‍

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Yep, a 150 growout is where I always started mine.

I think you're on to it.

My next payaras I want to be a group of red tails. I've got a 550 I want to run as a dedicated soft water SA tank, and I'll start them in it. I'd love to get them up to 12" or so. We rarely ever see fat tats either, so maybe the same logic is in play ?‍

Would love to see a thread documenting it whenever you do

 

[Oompa Loompa]

What's the general consensus on armatus with rays? Haven't seen this combination done very often.
DB junkie , pretty sure you did this no?

 

[Bsixxx]

It's actually really simple.
American and even most European fish hobbyists keep fish, Asian hobbyists keep filtration.
A lack of patience also applies to the equation for most of us. Armatus are easy to keep and also goliath ATF, we just don't have them for a center piece fish like most other hobbyists.
Tank size isn't an issue, people have grown them over 20" in 60 gallons. Live high quality feeders and amble water condition with filtration is the key. Most of us toss in some dechlorinizer and maybe some salt and call it a day.

My. 02

 

[Tobiassorensen]

The key to huge fish overall is clean water and lots of food. Its simple as that. I change as much water as i feed wich is about 2x 80% a week. But i also feed alot and im probably changeing more water then necessary