GATF newbie here, debating on purchasing one

[DAZZA]

Hi

Depends what your long term goals are. I believe that the maximum size of these fish in capitvity is GATF 36", VATF 24". I'd be very surprized if anyone has kept any larger, and if they have, they are the elite of our hobby.
I've owned several VATFs and grew them to about 14". They were in a 8x2x2, you really need a 36" wide tank as after 3-4years it was too cramped, width wise.
ATFs are best viewed from the side. VATFs are awesomely coloured fish, especially the tail.
Your 6x2x2 might DO for 12-20 months for a VATF or 12-16 months for a GATF.
If you plan to keep them after that i agree that your looking at a 10-12' and 4' wide tank min.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.
There are plenty of people who keep them in your size tank but would never say because they know they would be critisized.

I asked what people were keeping their ATFs in and very few replied.

I keep freshwater barracuda now (in a 79x24x24) and beside the problems with feeding they are really nice fish, plus you can keep multiples.

 

[West1]

PM West1 on that because he is the Vittatus expert on here

Thanks but no thanks. I've only grown 1 up to monster size n lots of juvies. Experts have grown lots into monsters . I was just an expert at my VATF but I have gathered minor info along the way

I went for VATF in the end and is now pushing 16".

Exactly why I am VATF'less

Hi

Depends what your long term goals are. I believe that the maximum size of these fish in capitvity is GATF 36", VATF 24". I'd be very surprized if anyone has kept any larger

For the past 30min+ I've been trying to find an old thread of a VATF @ 27"+. woody is his name but can't find it. I think people were debating between Goliath n Vittatus but I think I remember VATF being the final answer... Could be wrong as the thread was in 2005-6 or so.


OP, 75gl will last you a year or so (7-8" which ever comes first).
180 will last you 1-2 years after the upgrade or 12-13".

Just ball park idea all depending on dmns of tanks (standard or custom #'s) and size ATF you start with. Also maintenance schedule, current in water, temp and feeding all play a role.

 

[PayaraMan]

Thanks but no thanks. I've only grown 1 up to monster size n lots of juvies. Experts have grown lots into monsters . I was just an expert at my VATF but I have gathered minor info along the way



Exactly why I am VATF'less




For the past 30min+ I've been trying to find an old thread of a VATF @ 27"+. woody is his name but can't find it. I think people were debating between Goliath n Vittatus but I think I remember VATF being the final answer... Could be wrong as the thread was in 2005-6 or so.


OP, 75gl will last you a year or so (7-8" which ever comes first).
180 will last you 1-2 years after the upgrade or 12-13".

Just ball park idea all depending on dmns of tanks (standard or custom #'s) and size ATF you start with. Also maintenance schedule, current in water, temp and feeding all play a role.

Well, from all the threads I've seen you in, you seem to know what you are talking about

 

[Big fish noob]

I'd like to see some pictures of peoples GATF set ups.

 

[channarox]

Woodyoz's was a GATF.

Anyways, there's a reason we don't see many large GATFs hanging around.

 

[Bullterrier]

I had kept afew GATF and VATF in the past from 8inch to 12inch, biggest VATF grows from a 4inch to 12inch, they passed away not becoz of knocking or bashing towards the tank but an unknown illness hit them and they all die in just a couple of hrs,my past biggest GATF from a 3inch grows to a 9inch but got swallowed by my Gulper cat ,all this never stop me from continue keeping them,till today I manage to keep 2 16inch babies that are staying healthy,they are feeding everyday and becoming less skittish when time goes by,just sharing below a clip that I took last night on one of my proud Goliath I name him Sliver Bullet,if you do keep them just remember to give them lots of oxygen and space
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKo6I18xOLg

 

[tankmate]

A great fish that takes great dedicatoin. Many people just don't have the means to take responsible care of such a large athletic animal. To me it seems you may be falling into this category. If it is truely about the fish make the decisoin based on the fish and know that both you and the fish will have to give up ideal viewing and space. If this is the fish for you go for it you only have one life. Just remember the Goliath only has one life too.

 

[wantokeeptrout]

the only way I can see someone successfully keeping a large Goliath is a massive pond with few to no decorations in the deep part and gentle sloping bottoms out of the water with a sand substrate on all sides. but I don't think that would be a popular or cheap Idea