How big?

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cigar larry

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 11, 2006
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california,usa
My Arapima is in a 240gal tank now. I have a 270gal, 3'x6' tank, and a 480 gal, 4'x8'x2' tank. Can anyone guess a realistic captive size I may be looking at and about how long It may take to out grow the 480gal tank. I'm looking ahead on what I need to do to provide a long term home for my Arapima. He is about 1.5' long now. He eats pellets, which I'm told will slow hos growth rather than feeding him meat. I'm thinking a 10'x10'x4' tank might work. I'd like to hear some ideas. Anything that comes to mind (constructive Ideas please, This is a serious issue for me,)
Thanks, cigar larry
 
I would talk to johnptc.. He's the local pima expert in cali.. And i believe johns tank is 10,000 gal or maybe more..
 
Sorry to burst your bubble but your going to need a way larger set up than that! Your going to need a heated or indoor pond for one of these beast! These guys (even in captivity) can grow over 8'.
 
his 10' 10' idea would work for a long time after that you could go with the 24' metal frame pool they sell at target.
 
cigar larry;2236904; said:
My Arapima is in a 240gal tank now. I have a 270gal, 3'x6' tank, and a 480 gal, 4'x8'x2' tank. Can anyone guess a realistic captive size I may be looking at and about how long It may take to out grow the 480gal tank. I'm looking ahead on what I need to do to provide a long term home for my Arapima. He is about 1.5' long now. He eats pellets, which I'm told will slow hos growth rather than feeding him meat. I'm thinking a 10'x10'x4' tank might work. I'd like to hear some ideas. Anything that comes to mind (constructive Ideas please, This is a serious issue for me,)
Thanks, cigar larry
Click to expand...

Yeah, i would talk to Johnptc also.

a 10x10x4 will work for a good while. But pretty soon, he'll just be swimming in tight circles.

You should start planning now for a 10,000 gallon tank or a pond of some sort. It will take a while to get it setup and get the $ for supplies so i would start checking into that straight away. Arapaima grow extremely fast even if you're just feeding pellets.
I dont recommend feeding just pellets either. They should really have more variety than that. Dont skimp on food to keep him from growing to his full potential. Thats not right.


Here are a few posts you may find enlightening and helpful

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1777
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74523

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49048
 
i suppose if you want to know how large a captive Arapaima can grow...
take a trip to Shanghai and point your peepers toward these guys.

They were crammed pretty tight in this tank at the Shanghai Aquarium. But they were all easily OVER 8 feet.
You can see a person on the left hand side in the first picture with her kid. Those fish dwarf both of them.

So they can certainly grow too large for just about any home Aquarist. Execpt a few.

DSC_9540.JPG

DSC_9529.JPG
 
Thanks for the info. My daughter has a poly out door pool that would probably be ok. Its over 6000 gals. I'm not too sure about long term use. After all if she gets a leak it only goes on the ground. I've been to johnptc's place it's great. Thanks
 
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