first time rtc owner
- Thread starter kayvaughan
- Start date
yea you will need a really big pond or custom tank..well in the future it will grow FAST and it has the BIGGEST appetite ive ever seen..pretty much good luck and you better not get one till you know all abou them..
As stated above, they need Olympic size swimming pools to be comfy. I don't think they should even be sold in LFSs. BUT, in an effort to pass on a tidbit of actual info.... (if u haven't experienced this before, it will throw u for a loop) When stressed from a water change, a harassing tankmate, a large meal, or other things u would not necessarily think would freak them out too bad, a RTC will shed its slime coat layer into the water. It looks like a giant bogey gliding thru the tank. I have read that they are supposed to be more susceptible to disease right after this happens, but the one I had never had issues. It is a freaky thing to witness. Maybe this happens with other cats, and u have seen it, but if u haven't, be prepared. It doesn't take a whole lot to get them to shed it.
I made the mistake of buying one of these for my 240 when I first got it years ago. I was still a novice, and (OBVIOUSLY) didn't know what I was doing. I actually found a LFS with a large display tank to take him, but even that would not have held a full grown specimen. Don't know what happened to him in the end. Even tho he was one of the coolest fish I have ever owned, it was a mistake to buy it, and I think it is a mistake to sell them. IF u really have a LARGE heated pond, go for it. They become hand tame and are exceptional fish.
I made the mistake of buying one of these for my 240 when I first got it years ago. I was still a novice, and (OBVIOUSLY) didn't know what I was doing. I actually found a LFS with a large display tank to take him, but even that would not have held a full grown specimen. Don't know what happened to him in the end. Even tho he was one of the coolest fish I have ever owned, it was a mistake to buy it, and I think it is a mistake to sell them. IF u really have a LARGE heated pond, go for it. They become hand tame and are exceptional fish.
mine has shed a few times. its really wierd and always in the mornings tho. but it is very gross. and makes a mess
kayvaughan;4420067; said:
If you had stated that you had a pond in the beginning, things would have gone a whole lot smoother for you. I even asked where you plan on housing it and you never responded.
matt clark;4420097; said:
Unfortunately, I don't have a photo...but I can find the emails of when I bought my RTC.
I purchased him in November at 2".
This picture is from February 13th 2010:
This picture was taken 5/18/10:
This is what happen to mine a week before going into his new pond...the tiles are 18" wide. I can take a picture of a measuring tape on the tile if you need me too. Date taken: 6/29/10
So maybe not 24" in 6 months, but dang close. He ate a handful of massivore every day plus begged for more.
I'm just saying that within a few months it will easily be a monster in a proper sized tank, with proper water parameters, and a healthy diet. If your fish isn't...it's probably stunted.
You can also notice the growth if you click on the video links in my signature.
Speshul- it jumped out of the tank? Died instantly or do u even know? Take away message for original poster should be that 450gal is too small for an adult rtc. Nice tanks.
