Goonch what are they like ?

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RandomAlgae

Exodon
MFK Member
May 10, 2022
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One day I was walking in Chatuchak market and saw a Goonch for sale,

I didn't thought much into it because I wasn't interested in species considered to be "food fishes" at the time (not that I have space to keep one anyway)

But the Goonch's appearance definitely hold my attention regardless of whether I want to keep one or not.

Eventually going to public aquarium and seeing the so called "food fishes" in a big aquarium did get me interested
(It was Wallago leerii by the way, cool fish even during the day, must be great to see them during their active period.)

While I was reading about native fishes (My preference is naturalistic pond so I would love to stock the pond with fishes from the same river) I thought about the Goonch.

While I have read in other threads that Goonch are fragile it seem to be regarding Goonch from India, while Goonch from Thailand are described as considerably more hardy, since I live in Thailand any Goonch I can get probably will be from Thailand as well.

I definitely like Goonch's appearance the best out of all catfish,
but I have no idea about how are they like or if they are active, I also don't know if they will tolerate Tankmates that are too big to be eaten (such as Mekong catfish or Giant barb.) Or if they are nocturnal or diurnal.

So I want to learn about Goonch behavior and temperament to decide whether I want one or not and if I should have some nightlight in the pond.

PS. Also I don't see Bagarius yarelii in Planetcatfish, are they no longer a valid specie ?
 
One day I was walking in Chatuchak market and saw a Goonch for sale,

I didn't thought much into it because I wasn't interested in species considered to be "food fishes" at the time (not that I have space to keep one anyway)

But the Goonch's appearance definitely hold my attention regardless of whether I want to keep one or not.

Eventually going to public aquarium and seeing the so called "food fishes" in a big aquarium did get me interested
(It was Wallago leerii by the way, cool fish even during the day, must be great to see them during their active period.)

While I was reading about native fishes (My preference is naturalistic pond so I would love to stock the pond with fishes from the same river) I thought about the Goonch.

While I have read in other threads that Goonch are fragile it seem to be regarding Goonch from India, while Goonch from Thailand are described as considerably more hardy, since I live in Thailand any Goonch I can get probably will be from Thailand as well.

I definitely like Goonch's appearance the best out of all catfish,
but I have no idea about how are they like or if they are active, I also don't know if they will tolerate Tankmates that are too big to be eaten (such as Mekong catfish or Giant barb.) Or if they are nocturnal or diurnal.

So I want to learn about Goonch behavior and temperament to decide whether I want one or not and if I should have some nightlight in the pond.

PS. Also I don't see Bagarius yarelii in Planetcatfish, are they no longer a valid specie ?

Personally like the look of the Goonch but never pulled the trigger to get one.
This may be helpful until someone with experience chimes in.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...tfish-bagarius-id-and-care-guide-1-01.562286/
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com