Electric Catfish

[Industrial]

I have been wanting an electric catfish for quite a while now. I have been getting conflicting reports on them from people with minimal experience.

I don't really want to donate anything larger than a 30-40 breeder for a single fish. I have read that the malapterurus electricus can reach up to three feet on planet catfish. I think a zoo had one that got larger. I have also read that they average at one foot.

I have no idea what the actual average size, because many people will call the record size the average size.

Also, how long do they live?

And is it true that they cannot have any tank mates?

 

[amazonfishman]

While tank mates aren't advised by most people they can be kept with certain tank mates safely. Synodontis (sp?) species seem to coexist with them just fine and appear to be immune to the E-Cat's shock. I kept 3 syno multipunctatus and 2 syno flavitaeniatus with my 9" E-Cat with no issues for about a year. When I added a native fish (sunfish) to try as a tankmate it was dead the next morning in the tank after it decided it wanted to hide in the same spot my E-Cat typically hung out.

As far as life expectancy, I'd say at least 10+ years. Most of the larger growing catfish in general can easily live to 20-30years or longer. I have no proof to backup the E-Cat's life expectancy specifically but am simply concluding that based on life spans of other large catfish I know of.

I can tell you for sure that you will need a bigger thank than a 40g breeder. The E-Cat will break the 12" mark in about a year if you're feeding it right. If you want more pics and info search my old threads with "Jimmy" my old E-Cat

 

[marksuttonjr]

I frequet a pet store that has 2 Pacu that are around 18", 1 Oscar thats around 12", and 1 12" E cat in a 150. They had a few large pleco in the tank when the E cat was originaly put into it, but they are gone now. Not sure if dead or sold.

 

[Industrial]

While tank mates aren't advised by most people they can be kept with certain tank mates safely. Synodontis (sp?) species seem to coexist with them just fine and appear to be immune to the E-Cat's shock. I kept 3 syno multipunctatus and 2 syno flavitaeniatus with my 9" E-Cat with no issues for about a year. When I added a native fish (sunfish) to try as a tankmate it was dead the next morning in the tank after it decided it wanted to hide in the same spot my E-Cat typically hung out.

As far as life expectancy, I'd say at least 10+ years. Most of the larger growing catfish in general can easily live to 20-30years or longer. I have no proof to backup the E-Cat's life expectancy specifically but am simply concluding that based on life spans of other large catfish I know of.

I can tell you for sure that you will need a bigger thank than a 40g breeder. The E-Cat will break the 12" mark in about a year if you're feeding it right. If you want more pics and info search my old threads with "Jimmy" my old E-Cat

If it reaches 12" in a year, I am guessing they probably should get to the expected 30+" on average . I hear they only grow to a foot, but I wasn't sure if this was stunting or not. I definitely do not want to get a fish that I am going to end up stunting that badly.

I frequet a pet store that has 2 Pacu that are around 18", 1 Oscar thats around 12", and 1 12" E cat in a 150. They had a few large pleco in the tank when the E cat was originaly put into it, but they are gone now. Not sure if dead or sold.

Sounds like it would be a fun tank to catch fish out of! lol.

When I catch large plecos at work they always need to be caught by hand and they usually spazz out and destroy the tank. I couldn't imagine that pleco getting out of the tank without getting a few good shocks.

 

[bigbadfish711]

I have had my electric catfish for abot 4 years now. He started off at about 3". I had gotten him from a local breeder that supplies our lfs. I started him off in a 20long and had to move Hommer into a 55 with in a few months. He is now in a 75g and doing well at 13". When I moved Hommer into the 55 I added a red hook sd. They got along just fine untill I move the red hook into a 125. The I tried to put a smaller flower horn into the tank thinking there wouldn't be any problems, but I was misstaken. almost imediatly hommer atacks the fh. The fh did not die right off, but for 2 weeks it could not swim right. And it finaly passed. I have tried to put other fish into the tank and have not had any luck. I think that if you want to have a tank mate or mates. You are going to want to add them in when they are both small and young and before the ecat has time to claim the tank for its self. Keep the tank clean. Hommer loves a clean tank. Ecats are glutons. Hommer would eat a 44 oz steak if I'd let him. I feed primarly earth worms, goldfish, and thin slices of raw meat like chicken and beef. Watch out for sharp objects in the water. They have very small eyes and will scrape them selfs.
Heres a pic from about a year ago. I"ll try to add some more later.

 

[Redtailcatfishlover]

hey i was thinking about getting one too but i strayed away from it. by the way i was at my local petsmart to pick up some clown loaches and a red tail shark and i went there and they have pacus and african cichlids and i thought to myself wtf did they get the wrong shipment or something

 

[Egon]

Big Bad 711 any updates on those pic's of your E cat?

 

[magimango]

First post here, hello everyone!

Just picked up a electric cat myself. Isn't really feeding yet, tried bloodworms but didn't touch them, hes only about two inches max at the moment. What is the growth rate on these buggers I seem to be seeing mixed answers everywhere.

 

[SemperFish]

How powerfull is the zap these guys give off? Do they only do it when threatened?

 

[magimango]

Mine is only a tiddler but I felt it for sure. Bit stronger then an electric lighter.