Does anyone ACTUALLY own a 4 foot RTC

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

Bgonz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 25, 2006
600
0
0
Monroe twp NJ
I keep hearing how big these guys get and was just wondering if anyone actually has a 4' RTC in an aquarium, or even an indoor pond for that matter. I think it mostly urban legend spread by people who have never even kept one, but i'll gladly give anyone the opportunity to show me different. I dont want to see pics of wild caught RTC's or even RTC's in ZOO exhibits , I want to see honest captive raised Giants. I know they get huge, thats not the question. My point is its certainly not the norm. I'm gonna stick with 30-38" as about max size in a typical home enviroment.


Please post your pics, and prove me wrong.


bob
 
This was caught on rod a line and gives you an idea of how big they get in the wild (97lb:naughty: ) this is the world record)The London Aquarium has a monster one in it but nothing like this one. I know you didn’t want to see caught ones but that’s a stunner and shows there real potential as not only a stunning looking fish but must put it up there as one of the top predators.

phractocephalus_hemioliopterus2.jpg
 
Bgonz;699254; said:
I keep hearing how big these guys get and was just wondering if anyone actually has a 4" RTC in an aquarium,...

bob
Click to expand...

i dunno... 4" is pretty small. (4 ft. = 4')
but yea I know what you mean, I haven't seen any 4fters in aquariums.

that's a crazy huge cat in the pic!:WHOA:
 
all big fish you see alive, started small to guys LOL. they do stay decent sized but still reach 3ft easily in home aquaria. i saw one locally from a guy who had a huge warehouse and he raised a rtc to just about 4ft, then someone broke into the warehouse and stole all the live fish... it was a beautiful sight.
 
I'm definately not disputing that they can and do get 4+ feet in the wild and even in ZOO's, I've just personally never seen a REAL 4' RTC in a tank.


I've seen and owned 3 footers before, and in person they are HUGE :WHOA: Its not the length thats awesome but the width :eek: They are truly huge.


I guess it bothers me when someone asks how big do they get and what size tank is needed and every Guppy keeper on the internet says 4+ feet and you better have a 1500 gallon tank or else. Thats simply not true. Sure they need a big tank, but more importantly they are a high maintanance fish, needing large frequent water changes and a varied diet. I very rarely see this mentioned.


Sorry to sound like an ass, it just gets fustrating to me because i've been trying to grow a 4 footer for years...........AND CANT :confused:



bob
 
Bgonz;699313; said:
Sorry to sound like an ass, it just gets fustrating to me because i've been trying to grow a 4 footer for years...........AND CANT :confused:



bob
Click to expand...



Some of it could be genes, food and tank size you're growing in and how long you're waiting. You can put a standard growth rate/size on fish but all those variables will decide how fast and how big.

That being said I don't see anything wrong with people telling others that this fish gets 4ft and 38" isn't far off from 4ft anyways. This fish is a garbage disposal so bigger tank the better. Sure you can keep them in a 400-500 but if you get one 4ft really you're gonna want something at least 12'x4-5' footprint for a tank.
 
Thanks for posting the video ... very cool! Love the fact you can pet them! BTW, there's a really big, wide catfish up at FishTown USA in Ramsey, NJ. I saw him ... his in a plastic pool. Must be about 4' long and 12" wide at the head. wow
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom