I just bought a Lima shovelnose catfish(6 inches) and was wondering how hard was the fish to keep and how fast will it grow I have it in a 55g fry tank with a bunch of convict fry (inch long). I would like to move the Catfish before to long to a 125g but I don't want it to get eaten like the last one. I need it to be around ten inches before I move it. How long should it take.
Are Lima Catfish hard to keep?
- Thread starter e!o!z!
- Start date
Infernal;538914; said:
nah, limas get about 18in and are very easy to keep, very hardy fish in my opinoin
Yeah they're fairly easy to keep. I think they're pretty hardy and simple to care for. They're quite quick growers, but it depends what you feed them on and how often.
Carl.
Carl.
I personally have 2 limas, the first one I got 7 months ago, and the other 4 months ago. The first one grew from 2 inches to 9 inches in 7 months and the second grew from 2 inches to 11 inches in 4 months. So it really varies. the oldest one I have is a picky eater and the other happily gobbles up anything meaty put into the tank. I have done a lot of research on this fish and the largest recorded individual that I have found was 33 inches. that is record size though in the wild. Largest in aqaurium that I have seen is 21 inches, but with enough room and proper care I am sure anyone could grow a world record. Many fish can be kept at much larger sizes than their brothers and sisters in the wild with enough care and attention to diet and habitat. One member here grew a planiceps catfish larger than the current world record. So yeah many sites list the max size of limas at 14-20 inches, just remember where they come from and that their brothers and sisters there average much larger and they do have that potential! Many times the averages given are for reported aquarium raised individuals. Mortality in aquariums is much higher due to improper care and diet. I am sure we will see an increase in the health and size of our fishes with the knowledge and expirience shared on forums like this one! Good luck and keep us updated!
oh yeah, so you know these fish are very hardy and easy to keep also. Be advised they will shed their slime coats when spooked, during water changes, or when the water conditions are bad, and yes they will eat it too (gross!). Put some long slender grass like plants or driftwood roots. They will swim verticle for you. Awesome fish I'll be getting some more after I move.
The member with the 50K gallon tank has 2 over 20" I believe however usually you need a huge tank for them to reach that size. I've kept several limas in the past and have a 8" one currently in my 240. They grow alot slower then the TSN or Planiceps shovelnose specie. I would say usually an inch a month is a good average size rate if being fed properly. They do like to hang out close again roots and driftwood in a semi vertical stance blending in and work really well in groups because they hunt in schools. Its pretty sweet to watch, my pair of baby limas used to herd ghost shrimp into a group then take turns eating them. ~Trent
Carl D;539000; said:
I'm not so sure about that. My reason is that I have had my Sally Belle for nearly two years and feed every other day or so a wide variety of foods and although she eats with gusto she hasn't gained so much as an inch! She is about 7" long and kinda stalled out. Do ya think she'll grow out more? I kep her in a 130 Gallon tank with a Fire 24" Fire eel named Morris and they both adore each other and love frozen BloodWorms.
I have noticed that in the last few months that Sally Belle has been getting alot more personable and actually goes to the surface to get those flating Hikari food Sticks! LOL, She loves them! I hope she grows some more cause I'd love to see her go into my 240 someday!
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Weird, I would possibly be able to explain that slow of growth in a 55g or smaller but in a 130 it shouldn't have slowed down that much because its gots plenty of room still. What do you keep your water temp at and what are you feeding? You won't be getting 2-3" a month like with a TSN but you should be getting an inch or so a month up to at least a foot I would think from past experience ~Trent