How Fast is Fast?

[Fishman0]

I just picked up two channel cats from the LFS. One blue one albino

Their around 5" in length right now. Their curent tankmates include; [2] 6" P.Bass Juvies, [1] 5" LMB Juvie, and [1] 5" Sailfin Pleco. Their all "Future" Monsters

What I have researched is the basic info given when doing a google search. But what I really wanted to know is their growth rate.

Im sure someone else has posted a similar question but i could not find it in the endless seas of threads (or i ddnt look long enough)

So a few questions...

1) If the tank is kept at 82F constantly with excellent water chemistry, how quickly will they grow?

2) What is their favorite food as small as they are?

3) How often are water changes needed? Do they produce a HUGE bioload or are they just messy eaters?

4) cant think of the last question i had... my brain is fried. In the past three days i have gotten a total of 6hrs of sleep, crazy work hours and my hobbies consume my life... but i aint complainin

 

[bigfishsmallpond]

give thim blood worms and flake
do a lot of water changes
add salt 1 tbs for 5 gal its good for the slime coat
and f***k the water chemistry
if you do a 50% change a week or more thare will be no need for water parameters checks

 

[Columbian Shark Catfish]

They love to eat bloodworms and hikari cichlid pellets
I wouldn't do flake as it just passes through them and isn't as healthy. Unless you want to once in a while to shake it up a bit.

They do grow fast and they aren't messy eaters. Most catfish scan the whole tank after the feeding for extra

 

[Fishman0]

thanks. I do water changes weekly but not 50%.

is their a major reason for the large water change?

is it because they produce moor waste than usual so the nitrates rise?

I have a sump which has had no problem keeping up with the existing bioload and have a HOB to assist the filtration.

My question about the growth rate is still up in the air. I guess what i should have asked is 'How much will they grow in saw a month on a good diet?'

 

[bigfishsmallpond]

thanks. I do water changes weekly but not 50%.

is their a major reason for the large water change?

is it because they produce moor waste than usual so the nitrates rise?

I have a sump which has had no problem keeping up with the existing bioload and have a HOB to assist the filtration.

My question about the growth rate is still up in the air. I guess what i should have asked is 'How much will they grow in saw a month on a good diet?'

ok newbe
fillters oxygenate water and keeps a it clear not cleen
that why use the big bad ass bubble sponge filter i use 4 in my 8ft 120gal tank
a 50% change will no onle keep the water cleen and promotes fast growth
12" or more in a year

 

[phillydog1958]

they are greedy. i fed mine pellets and flake. i never noticed a large amount of waste from my albino. they will grow rapidly.

 

[Fishman0]

So bigfishsmallpond your saying that they DO or DON'T produce more waste than other fish?

I understand that the filter's main purpose is to "clarify" the water by removing suspended particulate, but i guess what im trying to ask is, 'Do they produce more waste resulting in elevated Nitrite tevels or is their metabolism at a similar level as other fish?'

I know changing a 50% of the water is beneficial to the growth rate as it removes chemicals/compounds which build up in any tank, but is it as necessary when the biological capacity of my tank is being met?

 

[SFury]

Let's just put it this way:

The more they eat, the more they excrete.

The waste being produced may not be copious amounts of fish turds, but could be your old fashioned fish pee.

You do larger water changes with heavy eating fish to account for the extra waste being produced that needs to be removed. Large water changes also stimulate a lot of things in fish including growth.

 

[Fishman0]

thanks for all the info...

I guess ill have to cont. feeding like i am now and just wait and see.

oh yeah another question....

I have read about RTC's having "bullet proof" skulls and breaking through the side of a glass tank if they grow large enough. Any risk of kamikazee channel cats?

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

is it me or i always have seen from my experience that channel cats like cooler waters.....and will go for it if they were given the choice? 82F isn't gonna sit well with them for long term?