How long could I keep this Tat?

[frnchjeep]

And I'm pretty sure a fish that get's a max of 15" can live in an 18" wide tank.

In most cases, yes. Not this one. These fish are EXTREMELY skittish. They get claustrophobic very quickly and easily in a small tank. They NEED open space otherwise they will bash the glass until they kill themselves. They also need calm tankmates. Rays, aros, polys, etc. I've had good luck with other characins like SDs and pacu, too. Convicts (or any "punk" cichlid) aren't a good idea.

They like lots of current, well oxygenated water, and temps in the mid to upper 80's, otherwise you will be battling ich every other week.

 

[apriliarider15]

You are more than welcome to "jump" on that fish but all you will be more than likely doing is killing another one that's already in captivity. And like you said who knows when we will see more. I've been looking for a little over a year now. Who ever said this fish only gets 15"? I've seen plenty that are 18-20" in captivity and will reach larger sizes if kept correctly in appropriate sized aquariums with perfect water quality, high 02, and a well balanced diet. Here is a picture of several H. tatauaia for you to get an idea of potential size.

 

[PayaraMan]

You are more than welcome to "jump" on that fish but all you will be more than likely doing is killing another one that's already in captivity. And like you said who knows when we will see more. I've been looking for a little over a year now. Who ever said this fish only gets 15"? I've seen plenty that are 18-20" in captivity and will reach larger sizes if kept correctly in appropriate sized aquariums with perfect water quality, high 02, and a well balanced diet. Here is a picture of several H. tatauaia for you to get an idea of potential size.

ALL fish get larger in the wild, It's common knowledge for all fish keepers.

 

[apriliarider15]

Really? I've been keeping fish for 25 years now and most of the fish I keep have obtained their wild sizes.... huh? I guess I'm just lucky



edit: never mind I just relieved that I'm talking to a 13 year old....

 

[PayaraMan]

Really? I've been keeping fish for 25 years now and most of the fish I keep have obtained their wild sizes.... huh? I guess I'm just lucky



edit: never mind I just relieved that I'm talking to a 13 year old....

Thanks man, Really thanks.

 

[BlackShark11k]

ALL fish get larger in the wild, It's common knowledge for all fish keepers.

more like common knowledge for all noobs. there is no reason a fish kept in proper care wont reach wild sizes... if the fish has room to grow, good water parameters and doesn't die prematurely... it will grow wild size.

 

[PayaraMan]

more like common knowledge for all noobs. there is no reason a fish kept in proper care wont reach wild sizes... if the fish has room to grow, good water parameters and doesn't die prematurely... it will grow wild size.

Thanks now I've learned more, Exactly what this site is for but thanks for calling me a noob as well.

 

[Gucci]

Arent those fish in the pic armatus? With the white in their tailfins?

 

[mynheers_a_pint]

One vital piece of information missed in this discussion is growth speed. Yes, we're talknig about a fish that grows to fabled sizes in the wild, but here a challenge for any of you- show me an 18" tatauaia in captivity. Armatus, there is no question will get to 2' in captivity but where are the 18" Tatauaia? They grow very slowly after 10-12". Some say this is down to a lack of water movement in most tanks but it could simply be that they take years and years to reach their maximum wild size.

My Tatauaia got to 11/12" before he was eaten (don't ask...) and he was more than content in a 210g (7ftx2ft foot print). They are flighty but they're no where near as flighty as a Rhaph for example, and i would say they adjust to captivity much better/are more suited than most of the other 'toothy' Characins. Just to add though, i would say that they do need a tank with a width twice their body length at an absolute minimum therfore a 55g is not recommended.

 

[PayaraMan]

One vital piece of information missed in this discussion is growth speed. Yes, we're talknig about a fish that grows to fabled sizes in the wild, but here a challenge for any of you- show me an 18" tatauaia in captivity. Armatus, there is no question will get to 2' in captivity but where are the 18" Tatauaia? They grow very slowly after 10-12". Some say this is down to a lack of water movement in most tanks but it could simply be that they take years and years to reach their maximum wild size.

My Tatauaia got to 11/12" before he was eaten (don't ask...) and he was more than content in a 210g (7ftx2ft foot print). They are flighty but they're no where near as flighty as a Rhaph for example, and i would say they adjust to captivity much better/are more suited than most of the other 'toothy' Characins. Just to add though, i would say that they do need a tank with a width twice their body length at an absolute minimum therfore a 55g is not recommended.

I'd also like to see an 18" Tat is captivity, Also I may not buy the large one from my LFS instead I might get one from Anubias Design in their Peru order,
they get all their fish in stock today.