I just bought a 3 inch redtail catfish, andi currently have oscars in the tank (about 5 inches or so) not big enough to eat the redtail so everythings safe there. ive raised a few sets of oscars before but never had anything in the tank but a pleco. But my question at hand is: once my redtail starts growing (which im fully aware its going to do, and fast) will it bother the oscars? i currently have two 55 gal tanks but all fish are in one. do you think i will need to separate them eventually? plz help! thanks!
Compatabilty advice please redtails and oscars
- Thread starter ryan.list
- Start date
it may be ok at this moment but not for long, once your redtails start growing, which is soon, they will eat anything fits into their mouth, including your oscar. 55 galls is way to small for them but enough for your oscar. Those who keep redtail will eventually move them into a big pond, cause these fish will get really massive.
I think you need a 300gal a year from now or sooner if you don't your red-tail will become cramped...I would recommend if you cant get a minimum 300+gal tank in a year to return the red tail
I'd say 1000 gallons to keep the RTC, and I'm pretty sure that at 4 feet, his mouth will be large enough to eat the Oscars, even if they make it to full size. Please be sure that you can provide for this guy. Otherwise, take him back soon. It's much more difficult to get rid of these fish once they're half-grown and look like they've been hit by a truck becuase they've been suffering with poor water quality for so long. Even if he's alone in a 55, it'll only last about six months before he needs something a lot bigger. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just asking you to consider this, becuase it sounds like you may not be totally prepared for what this guy's going to turn into.
hey, i asked for opinions, im willing to take any advice/critisism that may come my way. im aware of the size the RTC can reach. And upgrading tanks is always IN the question. I have a finished basement that i plan to dedicate to my own "fish zoo" so to speak. Ive never seen one in person hat is full grown except at the zoo aquarium or the wildlife exibit, ive been researching the RTC for a while now, and with that being said i understand what i got myself into i was just hoping that when i do upgrade tanks the oscars and RTC can co exist together but its looking like thats not the case. Do you have any suggestions as to what i could put with the redtail. also i threw around the idea of putting the redtail in my substantially sized garden pond that i could equip with some sort of heater if need be to get through the ohio winters
Heating an outdoor pond in Ohio isn't really feasible, IMO. This guy's gonna have to be inside. As for tankmates, I keep Pacu with mine. He's not full-grown, but they're so deep-bodied that there's no way one of them will fit in his mouth at any point. I've heard of people keeping full-grown silver aros and also full-grown TSNs with them. I'd get to working on something larger soon. You really don't have much time. I know it sounds crazy, but 18 inches in a year is nothing to sneeze at.
Ahhh, the million dollar question. My RTC has never eaten a live fish. He has been raised on massivore, fish filets, squid, shrimp, algae wafers, etc. He is healthy and active and beautiful. Feeders are parasitic time bombs. They're disgusting and not healthy for your fish, as they containe high levels of thiaminase. Don't feed him or your Oscars feeders. It's not necessary and it's better for them.
justonemoretank;3518833; said:
This is 110% True these are cheaper and better than live. Massivore is $8 and worth well over $100 in feeders....Aros and Pacu