electric cat setup
- Thread starter Fluff
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Welcome to MFK!!!
Do a search here on 'electric catfish' and/or 'electric cat' since there's already a bunch of info and pics on the site. And, here's some basic info for you. You can use this to google any additional info you need or to ask specific questions here.
The Electric Catfish may look like a big sausage but you won't find anything else like it
by Mike McEwan
Sci Name: Malapterurus electricus
Family: Malapteruridae
Origin: West Africa
Max Size: 39"
pH: alkaline
Temp: 74-85 F.
Tank Size: 135 Gallons
Feeding: Carnivorous
The Electric Catfish is an oddball fish best suited to a large display tank. It has a cylindrical, gray-brown to pinkish body, with a few dark spots and blotches. The lips of the fish are thick, fleshy and are surrounded by six barbels. The pectoral fins have no spines, and it lacks a dorsal fin.
As its common name suggests, the Electric Catfish has the ability to shock and stun its enemies. The electric organ of the fish is present on the whole body, giving the fish the ability to efficiently shock its prey or larger predators. Each charge weakens the electric ability of the fish until it has adequate time to rest and "recharge".
Tank Setup
Malapterurus electricus is a nocturnal fish that likes to hide during the day, thus rocky formations should be present. Due to its adult size of up to three feet, it must be housed in a large aquarium. Electric Catfishes can be injured easily because of their lack of scales and bony plates. This may lead to the fish burning itself against a hot aquarium heater or sharp rocks, so care must be taken when housing the tank. This is an aggressive species that shouldn't be kept with any other fish, especially its own kind.
Feeding
Electric Catfish are carnivorous predators that have huge appetites. They will eat most anything, especially when fed at night. Favorite foods are anything meaty such as beef heart, earth worms, fish meat or shrimp.
Water Chemistry
Malapterurus electricus is a very hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of aquarium conditions. The pH can be kept anywhere from 7.0 to 8.2 and the temperature from 74-85 degrees F. Keep the water hard, around 20 dGH.
Breeding
Breeding attempts in captivity have been unsuccessful.
Do a search here on 'electric catfish' and/or 'electric cat' since there's already a bunch of info and pics on the site. And, here's some basic info for you. You can use this to google any additional info you need or to ask specific questions here.
The Electric Catfish may look like a big sausage but you won't find anything else like it
by Mike McEwan
Sci Name: Malapterurus electricus
Family: Malapteruridae
Origin: West Africa
Max Size: 39"
pH: alkaline
Temp: 74-85 F.
Tank Size: 135 Gallons
Feeding: Carnivorous
The Electric Catfish is an oddball fish best suited to a large display tank. It has a cylindrical, gray-brown to pinkish body, with a few dark spots and blotches. The lips of the fish are thick, fleshy and are surrounded by six barbels. The pectoral fins have no spines, and it lacks a dorsal fin.
As its common name suggests, the Electric Catfish has the ability to shock and stun its enemies. The electric organ of the fish is present on the whole body, giving the fish the ability to efficiently shock its prey or larger predators. Each charge weakens the electric ability of the fish until it has adequate time to rest and "recharge".
Tank Setup
Malapterurus electricus is a nocturnal fish that likes to hide during the day, thus rocky formations should be present. Due to its adult size of up to three feet, it must be housed in a large aquarium. Electric Catfishes can be injured easily because of their lack of scales and bony plates. This may lead to the fish burning itself against a hot aquarium heater or sharp rocks, so care must be taken when housing the tank. This is an aggressive species that shouldn't be kept with any other fish, especially its own kind.
Feeding
Electric Catfish are carnivorous predators that have huge appetites. They will eat most anything, especially when fed at night. Favorite foods are anything meaty such as beef heart, earth worms, fish meat or shrimp.
Water Chemistry
Malapterurus electricus is a very hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of aquarium conditions. The pH can be kept anywhere from 7.0 to 8.2 and the temperature from 74-85 degrees F. Keep the water hard, around 20 dGH.
Breeding
Breeding attempts in captivity have been unsuccessful.
I would search for electric catfish on here and on aquaticpredators.com for info. I used to have a 10" electric catfish and kept it with synodontis catfish which I've read and concluded are immune to the shock discharge from an electric catfish. They prefer rock over wood I've read but mine lived just fine with the large driftwoods in my tank ~Trent
very good advise Oodball!!! I would add they can give a good shock evan at an inch! my lfs girl who caught him didnt belive me untill she tried to put it in the bag and shoked her pritty good and that was when he was only 1 inch!!! love to eat all types of food!! especially worms!!
thanks T.R
thanks T.R
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i have about twenty ellectric cats for sale at 14 a piece if anyone is interested and will do shipping they are a very hardy fiah and i use them as my disposal can for dead fish in my wherehouse. i have other african stuff as well ony a couple cichlids though
QUOTE=Pleco-nation;395084]very good advise Oodball!!! I would add they can give a good shock evan at an inch! my lfs girl who caught him didnt belive me untill she tried to put it in the bag and shoked her pritty good and that was when he was only 1 inch!!! love to eat all types of food!! especially worms!!
thanks T.R[/QUOTE]
i have about twenty ellectric cats for sale at 14 a piece if anyone is interested and will do shipping they are a very hardy fiah and i use them as my disposal can for dead fish in my wherehouse. i have other african stuff as well ony a couple cichlids though
QUOTE=Pleco-nation;395084]very good advise Oodball!!! I would add they can give a good shock evan at an inch! my lfs girl who caught him didnt belive me untill she tried to put it in the bag and shoked her pritty good and that was when he was only 1 inch!!! love to eat all types of food!! especially worms!!
thanks T.R[/QUOTE]