Asterophysus batrachus - Gulper Cats!!

[KenyanSandBoa]

im gonna ask my mum to buy me a gulper as a present.
just dont know if she'll pay...

Random side note, but when I was living at home I asked my parents to get me a new tank for my birthday and my father shot me down because he said my addiction to fish was getting out of control. I said "Hey, it could be worse...I could be addicted to drugs". He then replied that he wished it was drugs I was addicted to because they would cost less and wouldn't take up as much room.

Words of wisdom.

 

[neverrain]

Random side note, but when I was living at home I asked my parents to get me a new tank for my birthday and my father shot me down because he said my addiction to fish was getting out of control. I said "Hey, it could be worse...I could be addicted to drugs". He then replied that he wished it was drugs I was addicted to because they would cost less and wouldn't take up as much room.

Words of wisdom.

Wife thinks i have the same problem.. She thinks I'm wasting our entire savings on fish, etc.. (probably right)

Back to the fish,

Whatever the bumps were, it kinda clear up 2nd day I started the treatment. I don't believe it was ick tho but Im glad its gone.

regarding eating habits... One of the gulper kinda eats like a pig.. the other two are still not interested in eating. I left 2 market shrimp overnight and the same gulper ate both of them.

I'm going to try diluting some garlic extracts into the shrimp next time. Anyone know a good one?

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

I'm glad to hear they are showing signs of clearing up.

I have the same issue with mine. My smaller guy is a PIG...he'll eat until I run out of shrimp if he could. My larger guy is kind of a pain, but he usually eats after I slap him in the head a few times...maybe he's just eating because I'm pissing him off.

These are the steps I use to enhance the shrimp before feeding...worth a look.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70986

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

So...I've been thinking of putting some small fish in with my gulpers. Something like tetras or even platies...just something to add some movement.

These guys show no interest in any small prey at all. I actually have a couple of Panaque maccus in there now (I couldn't catch them when I moved the other fish out of the tank ), and the original feeder comets are still in there swimming around.

I just wanted to see what other experiences have been with fellow gulper cat owners. Anyone have tankmates with their guys?

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

^^^^^^^^^

Anyone?? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[cambo01]

Whatever the bumps were, it kinda clear up 2nd day I started the treatment. I don't believe it was ick tho but Im glad its gone.

how mutch salt did you add? my gulper has the same prob, spots have come out today!

just off to raise temp now

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

how mutch salt did you add? my gulper has the same prob, spots have come out today!

just off to raise temp now

I know this wasn't directed to me, but if it's a standard aquarium salt treatment it's a rounded table spoon for every 5 gallons.

 

[cambo01]

I know this wasn't directed to me, but if it's a standard aquarium salt treatment it's a rounded table spoon for every 5 gallons.

it will be the salt i use for my brackish tank (cant remeber the brand, but marine salt)will that make a difference?

diddnt want to overdo it asi know cats can be difficult to treet

cheers dave

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

it will be the salt i use for my brackish tank (cant remeber the brand, but marine salt)will that make a difference?

diddnt want to overdo it asi know cats can be difficult to treet

cheers dave

I wouldn't use that salt. Most of those salts contain a blend of mineral salts and trace elements that are used to simulate ocean or rift lake water chemistry...that could kill your gulpers.

You want straight sodium chloride (NaCl). I use the Doc Wellfish Aquarium Salt. It doesn't contain the iodine or anti-caking agents that table salt does. You can use kosher salts, or "canning salts" is what some people know them as...just a more natural form of NaCl.

I hope this helps.

 

[cambo01]

will go fetch some now thanks