Got a catfish w/some feeders... NEED ID

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biguebs

biguebs

Dovii
MFK Member
Mar 5, 2011
568
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Fort Wayne, IN
...pretty much as the title states. I went to the LFS to grab a few dozen feeder fish (don't worry, not for my fish) and I dumped them into my feeder quarantine tank (55 gal) when I got home. A few hours later I was messing with the tanks and noticed that one of the "feeder" fish was definitely not a minnow or goldfish! I think it's a catfish, but it's so small that I'm having trouble figuring out what kind it actually is (or if it's even a catfish, but it sure looks like one to me). My initial guess is that it's a TSN?

Anyway, I threw a plastic cup in there to give it some cover for the time being. I took a picture (camera phone, sorry), could someone help me out with an ID on this guy so I can figure out what I'm up against in terms of keeping it long term?

IMAG0022.jpg
 
Yep, that's a very young Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, tiger shovelnose (TSN) catfish. At this size, offer it plenty of bloodworms and cut raw shrimp. Great potential monster that'll reach up to 40" in length.
 
maynn sounds like someone went to get feeders at the right time and got them a TSN as well....there a fun fish to have in my opinion..good luck with the little guy
 
Thanks for the help all... pretty excited about that random bit of luck! Been itching to get into a big catfish, so maybe it's fate that this little guy ended up in with the feeders. I have an extra 55 that I'll set up for him, that should last a few months, as you can see he is only at about 1.5" or so now. Then I'll move him into my 125 or 180 or I'll just get it over with and build something that will house him permanently, also been itching to try and build a plywood tank after I had success building a stand for my 180.

I think he'll probably end up in with my florida gar when it's all said and done. I know each fish is different, but they should be generally compatible right?
 
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