Catfish for my 220

[Fish Tank Travis]

I've been speaking with a few people about this, in particular a well known vendor, and the consensus is that a vulture cat would do well in the aquarium, and that two would still do well because they will have a comfort in numbers kind of thing. I will be honest, I'm very tempted to try it knowing it is risky. If it ever came down to it, I would certainly rehomed one or both, if needed, but that wouldn't be the plan going in. However, I almost feel like I wouldn't know unless I tried.

I would obviously like some more advice on this decision being that I know I'm "hearing what I want to hear" right now. If the vultures were to be selected, that would be it for the tank, putting the stocking at two fire eels and two vulture cats.

So, am I "off my rocker" as they say or does this seem "plausible" as the Mythbusters would refer to it?

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I'm not trying to disagree with what's been said in the forum so far. I am just trying to find out if it's possible that it could work out, not just alright, but well. If there's a chance it could work out well, I would like to try it, but if there is just zero chance then I don't want to go on considering it.

 

[moe214]

You're talking about vulture I'm assuming. In which case, they do well in numbers yes. But it will grow uncomfortable due to the width of your tank. Let alone two. If you are ok with them being uncomfortable do what you will. But to be blunt, vendors have general knowledge about most fish, they sell a lot and are busy so can't be exact on everything, but if you look at Jeff rapps stocklist he has them and says they grow to a max size under 20" when their is pictures of specimens larger. They can't search everything thoroughly like we do, they sell a lot they can't be completely accurate. The vendor you spoke to is correct in they will be happy in numbers, though two is never a good idea, because fish who do well in numbers usually set a hierarchy, and two isn't enough for that so one becomes picked on and stressed possibly to death. The vendor is however incorrect in saying a fish that can potentially grow to 24" will be happy in a 24" wide tank. You can do it, but the fish will not be happy. It's is up to you on how you want to keep your fish, but we can't put it any other way, further more, I will not restate that it will grow to large to be happy in that tank again. You can buy them and rehome them when the time comes, I don't agree against things like that because it keeps the hobby interesting while giving you experience and knowledge as well, which you can also share with the community and possibly stop others from making a mistake. It's how I learned a lot honestly, it got me into a wider range of fish, and I wouldn't know as much as I do today. But if you go that route, try your best to make sure they go to a proper home. There is also the risk of the vultures going into a feeding frenzy and possibly eating your eel or injuring one fatally.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

You're talking about vulture I'm assuming. In which case, they do well in numbers yes. But it will grow uncomfortable due to the width of your tank. Let alone two. If you are ok with them being uncomfortable do what you will. But to be blunt, vendors have general knowledge about most fish, they sell a lot and are busy so can't be exact on everything, but if you look at Jeff rapps stocklist he has them and says they grow to a max size under 20" when their is pictures of specimens larger. They can't search everything thoroughly like we do, they sell a lot they can't be completely accurate. The vendor you spoke to is correct in they will be happy in numbers, though two is never a good idea, because fish who do well in numbers usually set a hierarchy, and two isn't enough for that so one becomes picked on and stressed possibly to death. The vendor is however incorrect in saying a fish that can potentially grow to 24" will be happy in a 24" wide tank. You can do it, but the fish will not be happy. It's is up to you on how you want to keep your fish, but we can't put it any other way, further more, I will not restate that it will grow to large to be happy in that tank again. You can buy them and rehome them when the time comes, I don't agree against things like that because it keeps the hobby interesting while giving you experience and knowledge as well, which you can also share with the community and possibly stop others from making a mistake. It's how I learned a lot honestly, it got me into a wider range of fish, and I wouldn't know as much as I do today. But if you go that route, try your best to make sure they go to a proper home. There is also the risk of the vultures going into a feeding frenzy and possibly eating your eel or injuring one fatally.

Thanks, I thought I was just wanting to believe it too badly. Lol.

I will make a decision between a single bolt cat or a group of ornate pims, or I might hold off on getting a catfish for now.

 

[Malte81]

I had a big vulture and i wouldnt do it if i were you.
They spook easily and banging into things.
Also its hard to Feed other fishes because they are very aggressiv feeders.
The Bold cat is a little more shy and hides a lot more.
Also a very agressiv feeder.
I heard when they reach about 40cm they get terretorial.
The Guy who bought mine told me this.
But overall i Love bold cats more than vultures.
I know a Guy who ownes four ornate pims.
They spend most of the Time together and are peacefull.
Also very fast eaters.
They are much more shy than the other two catfishes.
When you have many hiding spots you will not see them very often.
I would go with the bold cat.
Be careful they get ich very easy .

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

As far as fire eels, mine are similarly picky. The only thing they've consistently eaten has been frozen bloodworms. Before I moved them, they were eating red wigglers pretty regularly. However, after moving them they started refusing those again. I am currently in the middle of fasting them for a week and then trying some red wigglers after that. If all I can ever get them to eat is some sort of earthworm and frozen bloodworms, I'll be ok with that. They can definitely pack the bloodworms away. Lol. I do think I am going to try to get my hands on some frozen or live black worms to see if they will go for those because they have higher protein content.

Yes, that sounds like fire eels Very true about the thawed bloodworms - they do take them consistently as well as live ghost shrimp - but it's hard to raise them to 2'-3' on bloodworms. Impossible. I've spoken to some owners of 2'+ ones and they say their eels take anything and everything. So if this were true on average, it'd be promising.

I've been speaking with a few people about this, in particular a well known vendor, and the consensus is that a vulture cat would do well in the aquarium, and that two would still do well because they will have a comfort in numbers kind of thing. I will be honest, I'm very tempted to try it knowing it is risky. If it ever came down to it, I would certainly rehomed one or both, if needed, but that wouldn't be the plan going in. However, I almost feel like I wouldn't know unless I tried.

I would obviously like some more advice on this decision being that I know I'm "hearing what I want to hear" right now. If the vultures were to be selected, that would be it for the tank, putting the stocking at two fire eels and two vulture cats.

So, am I "off my rocker" as they say or does this seem "plausible" as the Mythbusters would refer to it?

Only you can decide who you will listen to more and who less. There is no problem that I can see in the differences in opinions, which reflects the natural differences in the experiences and knowledge.

You're talking about vulture I'm assuming. In which case, they do well in numbers yes. But it will grow uncomfortable due to the width of your tank. Let alone two. If you are ok with them being uncomfortable do what you will. But to be blunt, vendors have general knowledge about most fish, they sell a lot and are busy so can't be exact on everything, but if you look at Jeff rapps stocklist he has them and says they grow to a max size under 20" when their is pictures of specimens larger. They can't search everything thoroughly like we do, they sell a lot they can't be completely accurate. The vendor you spoke to is correct in they will be happy in numbers, though two is never a good idea, because fish who do well in numbers usually set a hierarchy, and two isn't enough for that so one becomes picked on and stressed possibly to death. The vendor is however incorrect in saying a fish that can potentially grow to 24" will be happy in a 24" wide tank. You can do it, but the fish will not be happy. It's is up to you on how you want to keep your fish, but we can't put it any other way, further more, I will not restate that it will grow to large to be happy in that tank again. You can buy them and rehome them when the time comes, I don't agree against things like that because it keeps the hobby interesting while giving you experience and knowledge as well, which you can also share with the community and possibly stop others from making a mistake. It's how I learned a lot honestly, it got me into a wider range of fish, and I wouldn't know as much as I do today. But if you go that route, try your best to make sure they go to a proper home. There is also the risk of the vultures going into a feeding frenzy and possibly eating your eel or injuring one fatally.

Agree with Moe on all points.

I had a big vulture and i wouldnt do it if i were you.
They spook easily and banging into things.
Also its hard to Feed other fishes because they are very aggressiv feeders.
The Bold cat is a little more shy and hides a lot more.
Also a very agressiv feeder.
I heard when they reach about 40cm they get terretorial.
The Guy who bought mine told me this.
But overall i Love bold cats more than vultures.
I know a Guy who ownes four ornate pims.
They spend most of the Time together and are peacefull.
Also very fast eaters.
They are much more shy than the other two catfishes.
When you have many hiding spots you will not see them very often.
I would go with the bold cat.
Be careful they get ich very easy .

I much appreciate and value the experiences of others, this one included. Just a few knee-jerks. Possibly your vulture barbels were touching front and back glass at the same time, which made it feel trapped and hence skittish. My two bolts never hid but they they never had a place to They seemed very comfortable though in the open, from 3". I've not heard or read they are more susceptible to ich than your average fish.

Still, all your points are good to keep in mind for me. Thank you.

 

[Malte81]

My tank is 3 m x 80 cm x 60cm
and the vulture was 40 cm .
His barbels were not touching both sides of the tank.
He was not totally skittisch all the day but from time to time.
Mine also never hid he was to big to fit between the driftwood.
Nice cats but not my vavorite.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Nice tank!

If 60 cm is the width of the physical footprint, the vulture would come close to touching both sides, I think. If 80 cm is the width, then no, of course.

 

[Malte81]

80cm is the width.
I think even 60cm would be ok.
When the vulture reaches 60 cm it's another story.
Now he is in a tank 4m x 1m x 1m and he is doing much better. (Not my tank)
I am very happy with his new home.

 

[Malte81]

My tank where he lived for a while.