Giraffe Cat with RTCxTSN and TSN

[ShanerBock888]

For a couple weeks I've been doing research on several species as a potential third tankmate for my 10" RTCxTSN and 8" TSN. I've finally decided on a Giraffe Nosed Catfish, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, and I'm really excited about it. But before I pulled the trigger I just wanted to see if anyone has any experience keeping these fish, particularly with the other two species. I recently had to give away a very very aggressive RTC and I'm dead set on keeping this tank as peaceful as possible.

I should add that both of the current fish are very peaceful and not territorial at all. Also, they're in a 110 right now, will shortly be in a 600 gal, and down the road will end up in an indoor pond of 1500-2000 gal.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[KNH]

Giraffes are one of my favorite cats. I had a good size one 24" with a larger Niger cat 30" and the giraffe was the boss. Pushy but harmless. Growth rate is fast but a little slower than your other cats. I had mine roughly 1.5-2 yrs and got him from toyin at 4". The pond will be nesessary in a couple years. You may want to consider putting him directly into a large pond and by pass the tanks. The 600g will be fine for awhile but moving huge cats can be challenging,

 

[ShanerBock888]

Giraffes are one of my favorite cats. I had a good size one 24" with a larger Niger cat 30" and the giraffe was the boss. Pushy but harmless. Growth rate is fast but a little slower than your other cats. I had mine roughly 1.5-2 yrs and got him from toyin at 4". The pond will be nesessary in a couple years. You may want to consider putting him directly into a large pond and by pass the tanks. The 600g will be fine for awhile but moving huge cats can be challenging,

Yeah I've been talking to Toyin and that's where I'll be getting him. The boss part is what I've seen in places and is my main concern. The RTC I just got rid of was the boss, which is fine, but he was a boss that wasn't satisfied with just being boss, he terrorized the other fish even after they'd submitted. What's annoying is my friend bought one from the same place on the same day and his is a sweetheart. But you're saying your giraffe was a peaceful sort of boss? lol. I'm fine with a boss, that's normal, I just don't want to see my favorite (the RTCxTSN) so miserable again. He was visibly sad and it sucked.

As for the pond, I would love to just skip the tank and go straight to the pond. But I already have the 600 gal, I just started a fishless cycle on it. Next summer I'll be building a large shed in my yard, moving stuff into it and clearing out a garage space, putting in the pond and connecting the area to the rest of my basement fish room.

 

[KNH]

Yeah bossy but not relentless. Not harmful at all just a little pushy. Great cat.

 

[ShanerBock888]

Ok great, I think that's all I need to hear. Gonna get in touch with Toyin soon!

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Giraffes are one of my favorite cats. I had a good size one 24" with a larger Niger cat 30" and the giraffe was the boss. Pushy but harmless. Growth rate is fast but a little slower than your other cats. I had mine roughly 1.5-2 yrs and got him from toyin at 4". The pond will be nesessary in a couple years. You may want to consider putting him directly into a large pond and by pass the tanks. The 600g will be fine for awhile but moving huge cats can be challenging,

Was it Auchenoglanis cf. occidentalis "Bouche" form from Toyin? AFAIK, that's all he sells. I got two and wonder about their growth rate. 2' in 2 years sounds pretty good.

Yeah I've been talking to Toyin and that's where I'll be getting him. The boss part is what I've seen in places and is my main concern. The RTC I just got rid of was the boss, which is fine, but he was a boss that wasn't satisfied with just being boss, he terrorized the other fish even after they'd submitted. What's annoying is my friend bought one from the same place on the same day and his is a sweetheart. But you're saying your giraffe was a peaceful sort of boss? lol. I'm fine with a boss, that's normal, I just don't want to see my favorite (the RTCxTSN) so miserable again. He was visibly sad and it sucked.

The bossiness would probably mostly be confined to having no consideration to tankmates when food hits the water. They ram everything out of the way and get to the food.

RTC personality is likely a factor of great many variables. I'd not really know how to predict. But on average, RTCs are usually more mellow than not.

 

[KNH]

Was it Auchenoglanis cf. occidentalis "Bouche" form from Toyin? AFAIK, that's all he sells. I got two and wonder about their growth rate. 2' in 2 years sounds pretty good

No this was a few years ago before "bouche" was being offered. This was a big old occidentalis.