Clarotes laticeps realistic size and tank size

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S

Sphynxi

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 26, 2015
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Hi,

I have the opportunity to get a clarotes laticeps, 17" right now.

I really love the shape and behavior of those catfish and I'd love to have it, but the size scares me. I know the size of a wild caught was 31", but what should I expect as a realistic size in a fish tank.
I searched here and found some who keep or kept those cats but I didn't find any information about how big they get in what time.

Right now he would go into my 6.5x2x2 feet tank with:

1x channa pleurophthalma 14"
1x Aguarunichthys torosus 13"
1x clarias batrachus 15.5"
1x Oscar 11"

My plan is to upgrade within 1.5-2 years to a 9.8x2.6x2.3 feet tank.

what is your opinion/suggestion? pass and hope I will find one again in 2 years?

thx
 
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Can't say I have any experience with the fish. But if it has potential to hit 31" many would recommend a wider tank. I'd say atleast go to 3' if the tank will be bare. If you plan on adding any large dw then you want more space.
 
Good to see someone doing the homework beforehand. My knowledge probably matches your findings. This is an exceedingly rarely kept fish - not much interest in drab, large growing catfish. As you found out yourself, growth rate and max size in captivity are not known first hand on MFK at least.

Who is keeping one currently, Rpul Rpul I think? Tobiassorensen Tobiassorensen have you ever had one?

In general, a 10' x 2.5' footprint would be too small for any fish over 1.3-1.5' in total length, which the claroceps has already reached. Short term may be ok but not long term... but you don't even have that tank yet.

Also, the bolt catfish and the walking catfish can be quite boisterous, ornery, and aggressive with other bottom dwelling catfish. It's a gamble.
 
Thank you both for your inputs, that helps a lot.
For the batrachus and bolt catfish, they don't care for other fish. I had different fish for rehousing in this tank and it was never a problem. (lets hope it will stay this way).

I think I will have to pass on this one in this case. Too bad, but I don't want it to be cramped if it grows bigger.
 
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Ive currently got a clarotes. Its growthrate is quite average. I bought mine maybe a 30-35cm in november last year and it is now prob around 45-50cm and quite wide. I have it in an intex pool with footprint 290x170cm footprint and i feel thats about minimum for the cat atm. Its always on the move and can be hard on other catfish. It did beat up my auchenoglanis wittei quite bad until i sold it to a friend. It leaves my cichlas and my big ray female alone but hates an big black belt cichlid with passion.

Its an amazing cat with awsome features but i would say you need at a least 4' wide tank.

The stand in this pic is 45cm wide.20190412_211314.jpg
 
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Aw, what a cute cat. Yeah well that proves my inner feeling again. I will have to let it go. I need to search another catfish that looks similar to this one but doesn't get that big. Sad, but it will be better for the fish.
thank you very much.
 
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There is some species in the chrysichthys family that looks similar and doesnt grow that big. Chrysichthys punctatus for example grows to about 16cm instead of like clarotes 80cm
 
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That looks like a nice cat, but suuuuper rare. And there is no marked for rare fish here. I need to look in other the neighbour country anyway. and even there, super rare to find such fish. Catfish are not very popular here. unfortunately for me ;-)
 
A bullhead can be thought to look and behave more or less similar.
 
Yes, I really like them, but unfortunately they are illegal here. You can get a fine of 20'000 if they catch you with it :-/
 
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