Got a Giraffe Catfish, finally...

[polish]

Nice pickup! I got one from a local member many months ago. Mine is doing great but he did freak me out when he wouldn't eat the first few days. Once they acclimate, they are great fish to keep.

Chris

Thanks. I don't think mine ate the first couple days either. I am 99% sure he is eating now though unless he is just sifting the sand. I dropped some crushed up Massivore next to him and he seemed enjoy.

nice marking

Always wanted one but they grow too big for my 220

very nice, i want one!

nice find man.

Thanks all.

Mine has just hit 20" and he's been with me for around 2 years. And yes they will get to 3' there is a member here who has one that's 3' in a 300 gallon 6x3 tank. It's one of the nicest looking cats on here.

Thanks for sharing, I was curious on growth rates. That is way slower than an RTC, good to know. Do you know the members name who has the 3'er? I'd like to search for pics.

Once he is big enough he'll get moved to the pond with the Niger Cat and the Bichirs. It will be a while though, he has a lot of catching up to do. The Niger is already 1ft long, they grow like RTCs. It was 7" when I got it 3 months ago.

 

[TheFishJunky]

They grow up to three feet.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=81
I still have 1 or 2 in one of my tanks also.Same size as OP's picture.

 

[balton777]

Heheheh, aren't the baby ones cute?

 

[polish]

One thing I have noticed is they have really odd mouths. I hardly see mine, it hides a lot but some times it will come out to eat and sift sand.

 

[mamapuff]

Wait until it reaches the playful stage. Mine loves to be pet and get belly rubs.He actully turns when he wants the other side rubbed. He will slurp the top of the tank, waiting for food. Him and our "special" RTC get along nicely. Geoffrey (giraffe) is about 21 inches, and the Joker the RTC is 13 inches. I love the two together and can't wait to see them in the pond.

 

[Wet Whiskers]

These guys are great fish. Super active. As for grow rate, Bernard has grown 9" and more than doubled is not tripled his weight in a year and 4 months. He's got to be a good 2 feet or so. He's mister personality too. While you obviously don't want them to fit into the catfish's mouth, from my experience, these guys run the tank. Bernard has always pushed cats around that are 6-8" longer than him. Using his weight, pinchy mouth, and general 'tude, he harasses my 30"ish TSN and competes with my 26.5" RTCxTSN.

I have a little guy that was sold to me as a giraffe cat as well, but is obviously a different species. I think your guy is the giraffe cat that gets large.

 

[polish]

Wait until it reaches the playful stage. Mine loves to be pet and get belly rubs.He actully turns when he wants the other side rubbed. He will slurp the top of the tank, waiting for food. Him and our "special" RTC get along nicely. Geoffrey (giraffe) is about 21 inches, and the Joker the RTC is 13 inches. I love the two together and can't wait to see them in the pond.

I am looking forward to it, once he has some size he'll go in the pond so hopefully he will come up to see me sometimes once he is in there. However he'll be in the 200g for some time. I think my Ornate or Endli would have a go at his as is...

These guys are great fish. Super active. As for grow rate, Bernard has grown 9" and more than doubled is not tripled his weight in a year and 4 months. He's got to be a good 2 feet or so. He's mister personality too. While you obviously don't want them to fit into the catfish's mouth, from my experience, these guys run the tank. Bernard has always pushed cats around that are 6-8" longer than him. Using his weight, pinchy mouth, and general 'tude, he harasses my 30"ish TSN and competes with my 26.5" RTCxTSN.

I have a little guy that was sold to me as a giraffe cat as well, but is obviously a different species. I think your guy is the giraffe cat that gets large.

That is awesome, I keep hearing the same thing about them running the tank. We'll see if mine ends up that way.

I also saw a smaller dwarf Giraffe Catfish online and my LFS didn't know which it was he would be ordering as his sheet just said Giraffe. I didn't mind which I got but was hoping for the larger one. So that is good. I am pretty sure it's the one that grows large as well.

 

[Wet Whiskers]

I am looking forward to it, once he has some size he'll go in the pond so hopefully he will come up to see me sometimes once he is in there. However he'll be in the 200g for some time. I think my Ornate or Endli would have a go at his as is...



That is awesome, I keep hearing the same thing about them running the tank. We'll see if mine ends up that way.

I also saw a smaller dwarf Giraffe Catfish online and my LFS didn't know which it was he would be ordering as his sheet just said Giraffe. I didn't mind which I got but was hoping for the larger one. So that is good. I am pretty sure it's the one that grows large as well.

The little guy I have is a very different fish. He is much more shy, and nothing like boisterous Bernard (huh, I like that. I think that might stick!). Anywho, the little guy I have has a very short snout in comparison the larger guys. Your little guy looks to have the longer snout like Bernard.

 

[mamapuff]

I agree they are very boisterous. That's a perfect word for them. Geoffrey plows over everyone, including the RTC, who I originally thought would be pretty pissed or develop a bad attitude, but I was wrong. It's made Joker mov more, and now instead of sitting on his log, he's actively swimming around, be it to avoid being plowed lol, or to explore the surface looking for food. He learned that when Geoffrey come to the top, goodies come in, so now he joins in more often.

 

[polish]

Growing like a weed. Getting more comfortable as well, comes out as soon as food goes in. Eats pretty much anything...