Hey all, I have a 3.5" baby channel catfish. He recently ate my baby bass that was maybe 2" long while I was on vacation. I found this striking cause I didnt think he would eat him. I read everywhere people say put bass and catfish together in native tanks, but this is actually the second bass he has eaten. Never really thought he would be able to catch the bass, but maybe he snuck up on him while the bass was sleeping? Just wondering if anyone else out there seems to be having the same problem as me with their catfish eating all of his tank mates.
Catfish Ate my Bass
- Thread starter ScottAlan
- Start date
you read all the time around here about catfish eating everything in site that can remotely fit in their mouths.
My rtc ate all his tankmates
now he is bored with no one to play with...... 1xoscar(actually didnt think it would fit in his mouth but oscar no where to be found and rtc with a large belly put 2and 2 together), 1x tsn/rtc hybrid, 2x african cichlids, 1x parrot cichlid all acquired at the same time he outgrew them and ate them all. He also had a go at my arrow once but I had just cycled a 265gallon and transferred the arrow to prevent another loss. Maybe the only tank mate for a cat is a full grown jardini.....
now he is bored with no one to play with...... 1xoscar(actually didnt think it would fit in his mouth but oscar no where to be found and rtc with a large belly put 2and 2 together), 1x tsn/rtc hybrid, 2x african cichlids, 1x parrot cichlid all acquired at the same time he outgrew them and ate them all. He also had a go at my arrow once but I had just cycled a 265gallon and transferred the arrow to prevent another loss. Maybe the only tank mate for a cat is a full grown jardini.....It's only a 10 gallon tank till they get bigger and I transfer them to my other tank.
I am shocked cause I figured the first time was maybe a freak accident sorta thing but after two, I'm beginning to think this lazy stupid catfish isn't so lazy and stupid anymore..
There's always a possibility that a catfish will eat its tankmates. If they're hungry and an easier meal isn't available the closest thing that will fit in it's mouth will be gone. Don't be surprised if it continues to happen. With each bass it eats it will become more apt to eat to seek out the bass as a food source. Catfish are awesome predators.
well yeah catfish eat eat eat eat and if it even sorta kinda fits in their mouth they r going to eat it, oh well at least now u know