Baby Flathead Catfish

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Fish are different than snakes and ew ew spiders
They are much more sensitive
They need filters, water changes, conditioners and generally may take more care
I do not keep snakes Or ew ew spiders so idk how hard they are to keep
Please note flatheads are not just any fish, they get MASSIVE and need a BIG tank/pond
I know and I am able to get him the space he needs
 
I've kept a lot of fish and a lot of snakes, including a considerable number of giant snakes; I would consider any giant snake far more work to maintain, and far more delicate to maintain properly, than a typical fishtank.

I am as likely as anybody, and probably more likely than most, to jump into a thread where a fish is being kept improperly or especially in an excessively small tank...and I am usually pretty conservative in my estimation of how much space a fish "should" have, i.e. I don't like big fish shoehorned into small tanks. I seem to recall reading in many of your threads, fishhead0103666 fishhead0103666 , that you tend towards the same feeling.

But I won't jump up and tell somebody they aren't capable of providing proper accommodations unless I have reason to suspect that's the case. I seem to recall coming across a fair number of threads started by younger aquarists who, by whatever means, can indeed provide the necessary housing. Dogpiling on a fellow who wants to keep a Flathead Cat just doesn't make sense in the Monster Fish Keepers forum, unless there is at least some evidence to indicate it's warranted. I haven't seen any here yet.
 
I've kept a lot of fish and a lot of snakes, including a considerable number of giant snakes; I would consider any giant snake far more work to maintain, and far more delicate to maintain properly, than a typical fishtank.

I am as likely as anybody, and probably more likely than most, to jump into a thread where a fish is being kept improperly or especially in an excessively small tank...and I am usually pretty conservative in my estimation of how much space a fish "should" have, i.e. I don't like big fish shoehorned into small tanks. I seem to recall reading in many of your threads, fishhead0103666 fishhead0103666 , that you tend towards the same feeling.

But I won't jump up and tell somebody they aren't capable of providing proper accommodations unless I have reason to suspect that's the case. I seem to recall coming across a fair number of threads started by younger aquarists who, by whatever means, can indeed provide the necessary housing. Dogpiling on a fellow who wants to keep a Flathead Cat just doesn't make sense in the Monster Fish Keepers forum, unless there is at least some evidence to indicate it's warranted. I haven't seen any here yet.
Just asking because they get big and want to make sure they can they take of it
 
I've kept a lot of fish and a lot of snakes, including a considerable number of giant snakes; I would consider any giant snake far more work to maintain, and far more delicate to maintain properly, than a typical fishtank.

I am as likely as anybody, and probably more likely than most, to jump into a thread where a fish is being kept improperly or especially in an excessively small tank...and I am usually pretty conservative in my estimation of how much space a fish "should" have, i.e. I don't like big fish shoehorned into small tanks. I seem to recall reading in many of your threads, fishhead0103666 fishhead0103666 , that you tend towards the same feeling.

But I won't jump up and tell somebody they aren't capable of providing proper accommodations unless I have reason to suspect that's the case. I seem to recall coming across a fair number of threads started by younger aquarists who, by whatever means, can indeed provide the necessary housing. Dogpiling on a fellow who wants to keep a Flathead Cat just doesn't make sense in the Monster Fish Keepers forum, unless there is at least some evidence to indicate it's warranted. I haven't seen any here yet.
I am a young fish owner but have kept many other large pets and reading your message just now, I about cried knowing that there is someone out there who isn't trying to talk me down and tell me that I am not capable of caring for an animal. Thank you so much. I was really starting to think that this wasn't the right site to get answers and help as a first time fish owner. As a pet owner of large animals, I make sure to have the space needed for each and every one of them. I really appreciate reading your thread. Thank you so much again for your positive words.

... and with me turning 19 in a few weeks, I can assure anyone who doubts my ability to care for such a large creature that I do my research on housing but only ask for extra advice and tips that google or pet stores can't offer
 
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and with me turning 19 in a few weeks, I can assure anyone who doubts my ability to care for such a large creature that I do my research on housing but only ask for extra advice and tips that google or pet stores can't offer
Me i was just making sure that you could because they get big, I didn’t want a poor 4 foot fish living in a 55g, surely you understand, I never tried to talk you down or anything but some others did but I’m sure it was in good spirits
(Ps: if you want to get rid of those water snakes I ACCIDENTALLY killed one by placing a fish trap and it swam in prob after the fish and died. This one was real aggressive and would go after people)
Also happy early birthday
 
Hello everyone. I'm new to this site but I want to find answers on how to take care of my baby Flathead Catfish. I have had him for 2 days and would love to know what to feed him, what to put in his tank and how to provide the best care for him. He is currently about 2 inches long and is housed in a plastic pet carrier enclosure. I live on a lake so I used the lake water for him so he feels more comfortable and added some floating algae. Google says to feed him aquatic insects which he has been eating but I would like more professional advice on how to care for him.
This is the first time I have cared for a catfish so any advice is greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the MFK!

FHC are exceedingly rarely kept and reported on here or elsewhere. I recall only a few reports on here, so searching them out should be beneficial, I recall one or two being detailed and helpful. Is this your first pet fish or do you have experience and knowledge in fish keeping? Fish live in a different element and on our life support, which makes it a challenge. It's not the same as keeping air-breathing critters. The water they breath must be filtered from toxins and well aerated. 2" fish shouldn't be hard to keep in a large tank, it'd be a good start and learning experience. I'd start training the FHC to take pellets and frozen/thawed fish pieces of proper size.
 
Several years ago my daughter caught a 50 lb. Flat Head on rod & reel out of a local muddy river. He made quite a feast.
Flat Heads are considered a game fish in my state & fishing for them is regulated.
Local crazy fisherman bare hand fish for them reaching under the banks or into hollow logs pulling them off their nests. That type of fishing is called "Noodling". I'm not ever doing that!
Over the years I've caught many Flat Head Catfish. Most under 15 lbs.
The state record is 106 pound monster.
Obviously a massive aquarium would be required.
 
Several years ago my daughter caught a 50 lb. Flat Head on rod & reel out of a local muddy river. He made quite a feast.
Flat Heads are considered a game fish in my state & fishing for them is regulated.
Local "crazy" fisherman bare hand fish for them reaching under the banks or into hollow logs pulling them off their nests. That type of fishing is called "Noodling". I'm not ever doing that!
Over the years I've caught many Flat Head Catfish. Most under 15 lbs.
The state record is 106 lbs. That one was caught on a trot line.
Obviously a massive aquarium would be required to keep a Flat Head.
The biggest fish I have caught on my lake is a 15+ lb Dog Fish.
 
Flatheads are a dream fish for me. I've never caught one on hook'n'line; my single noodling experience, "guided" by a friend I was visiting in North Carolina a number of years ago, yielded just one small specimen, less than 10 pounds. That was ostensibly a wild-pig hunt we were on; the noodling was just a mid-week distraction on one day, and it completely overshadowed the hunting in terms of fun and memorability.

If you enjoy fishing, but have never tried it bare-handed...you don't know what you're missing. I wanna do it again! :)
 
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