Help for my two albino channel cats !!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
As advised by Silurus on PCF, yes, they are Ictalurus punctatus http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=6

You've learned a lot with these fish and you deserve many praises for your dedication and honesty and openness.

I agree with Wednesday13 for sure. They can live 20 years and easily more. Your 250 L tank is not enough if you aim for their best. 100 gal tank is not either, not even close. Think more of at least 1000 gal (US or UK :) ). If you can't give them that, I am afraid you have to find a different proper home for them. UK climate is close to their native range, so an outdoor pond would appear much more likely to find than a large enough tank. Just make sure to follow the local laws. I imagine, since this fish is an exotic to UK, it should be confined in a lawful way in any outdoor pond (if permitted to be placed outdoors at all). Indoor pond is ideal.
 
Thanks. I've been looking into a 100G tank, but yeah I know it's not going to be big enough. I live in Aberdeen up north in the UK, and I think that the temperature here in the winter would be too cold for them outside, but I'm not sure. It often less than 0C in winter.

I think what I might need to do now is find them a new home, and if no one takes them from me straight off I'll get a new tank ordered for their temporary home.

I'll be sad to see them go, but I do want them to go to a good home and enjoy their lives :)
 
Their natural range includes northern USA and southern Canada. They are built to handle being under ice for 4-6 months. If the pond is a small one, it simply needs to be deep enough not to freeze all the way through and have a breather hole open - a simple bubbler or a small powerhead/fountain pump can do that. Heaters are too expensive to run but do a good job of that too.
 
Thanks. I've been looking into a 100G tank, but yeah I know it's not going to be big enough. I live in Aberdeen up north in the UK, and I think that the temperature here in the winter would be too cold for them outside, but I'm not sure. It often less than 0C in winter.

I think what I might need to do now is find them a new home, and if no one takes them from me straight off I'll get a new tank ordered for their temporary home.

I'll be sad to see them go, but I do want them to go to a good home and enjoy their lives :)
these fish will be perfectly fine in that cold. I would stab myself if I had to give away two fish which I had for 13 years. getting an outdoor pond is a priority. if not, give them to someone local with a good sized pond or tank, and make sure to visit the tank/pond they will be kept in. then because they would be local to you, you could visit those fish. I hope im not too late.
 
these fish will be perfectly fine in that cold. I would stab myself if I had to give away two fish which I had for 13 years. getting an outdoor pond is a priority. if not, give them to someone local with a good sized pond or tank, and make sure to visit the tank/pond they will be kept in. then because they would be local to you, you could visit those fish. I hope im not too late.

For what? LOLOL You constantly crack me up.
 
I'm happy to say these catfish are shortly going to a public aquarium into a large tank, with another albino cat and other big fish. They have indeed kept growing since getting a larger tank; I've split them up into separate tanks because of fighting.
 
Excellent news. Yes, they may fight in small tanks, depending on their sexes and temperaments, after sexual maturity. There is a reason adults are mostly solitary in the wild.
 
fishinTANK.jpg

I took one down to the aquarium today - the other one is waiting for it's nose to get better - after a few minutes of hiding at the side, he was off swimming amongst the other fish - he's gone from his temporary tank of 3ft by himself (I had to split them up, and he got the old tank) to a 30,000/40,000 litre open tank with a huge floor space with catfish and other fish much bigger than him. I'm really happy he's there now, and I'm able to visit when I want to :)

I hope he grows huge, and fingers crossed my other cat gets to join him soon!

fishinTANK.jpg
 
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