Hi all, I make a living breeding and farming African catfish out here in the sticks of West Africa. From an indoor hatchery, our hybrids of clarias gariepinus and heterobranchus longifilis are either sold to other fish farmers, or transferred out into earthen ponds where they are grown out over a year to an average of 1 to 2 kilograms, at which point they are sold locally for consumption. Hybrids of these two species of catfish are reproductively sterile, but do grow at a significatnly faster rate than either of the two pure-bred parent stock.
For years, I have nursed dreams of acquiring a small selection of the world's largest freshwater fishes, in the hopes of establishing breeding programs for as many as possible. The species that fascinate me the most are the Giant Mekong Catfish ( Pangasianodon Gigas ), the European Catfish ( Silurus glanis) and the mighty Piroruku (Arapaima Gigas) from the Amazon.
I did finally locate a hatchery in Austria that markets European catfish fry and fingerlings, but so far I have drawn a complete blank in locating vendors for fingerlings of the Giant Mekong catfish and the Piroruku. The Piroruku has really captured my imagination, due to reports I have read that describe an astonishing rate of growth for this species - which can apparently attain sizes of up to ten kilos in a single year. By way of comparison, the African catfish hybrids that we produce here rarely exceed two kilos body weight over the same time period.
I would be tremendously grateful for any information that could be offered here with regards to any reputable vendors of Arapaima or giant Mekong catfish fingerlings or fry, regardless of geographical location. I intend to grow out these species for a couple of years before embarking on experimental reproduction programs. I have read that the gender of Arapaima adults can only be determined by blood tests, since there are no visual cues, but such challenges will be faced when the time comes, IF I can find some fingerlings to kick off this long-planned, long-term project.
Any information about sources for Arapaima or giant Mekong catfish fingerlihgs would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Tony
For years, I have nursed dreams of acquiring a small selection of the world's largest freshwater fishes, in the hopes of establishing breeding programs for as many as possible. The species that fascinate me the most are the Giant Mekong Catfish ( Pangasianodon Gigas ), the European Catfish ( Silurus glanis) and the mighty Piroruku (Arapaima Gigas) from the Amazon.
I did finally locate a hatchery in Austria that markets European catfish fry and fingerlings, but so far I have drawn a complete blank in locating vendors for fingerlings of the Giant Mekong catfish and the Piroruku. The Piroruku has really captured my imagination, due to reports I have read that describe an astonishing rate of growth for this species - which can apparently attain sizes of up to ten kilos in a single year. By way of comparison, the African catfish hybrids that we produce here rarely exceed two kilos body weight over the same time period.
I would be tremendously grateful for any information that could be offered here with regards to any reputable vendors of Arapaima or giant Mekong catfish fingerlings or fry, regardless of geographical location. I intend to grow out these species for a couple of years before embarking on experimental reproduction programs. I have read that the gender of Arapaima adults can only be determined by blood tests, since there are no visual cues, but such challenges will be faced when the time comes, IF I can find some fingerlings to kick off this long-planned, long-term project.
Any information about sources for Arapaima or giant Mekong catfish fingerlihgs would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Tony
