Interested in Buying A Redtail

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outofstep

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 13, 2006
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Richmond
Hi. I'm interested in buying a Redtail catfish but I want to make sure I know my stuff before I make such a commitment.

I've heard all sorts of suggestions for tank size, from 150 gallons to 500+. I'm considering a DIY plywood tank. I'm thinking of a triangular tank measuring 90" in the front and 48" on the sides with 30" of heighth. Would this be sufficient or should I think bigger?

If I opt for an indoor pond would I have to put a glass cover on top to keep it from jumping out? Thanks in advance.
 
The triangle tank would definitely be sweet. It would fit very nicely in my living room.

If I go with a pond what would be some good dimensions for it?
 
A triangular tank sounds novel- however it seems that for housing a large fish like a RTC that a triangle tank would not optimize the space.
The Tight angles of the corners would in time keep the cat centered in the tank and result in unused space....For what it is worth
 
Forget about a glass top. If the cat wants out, the glass won't stop him. If you're intent on a plywood DIY, might as well build an enclosed canopy, too. If you're not too worried about evaporation, you can also use a tight (1/2") weave fishnet held down with cleats.
Now, the triangular tank you're describing holds 150gals. If you bought a 3-4" RTC, he'll last in that tank about 2 years. My RTC hit the foot+ mark in a year and 2ft by the end of the 2nd year. RTCs are open river cats so, the space needed isn't only due to size but also due to water quality. These cats eat and eat big. The tank and filter has to be oversized to keep up with the wheelbarrel amounts of waste they produce. Drops in water quality leads to brown-blood disease which takes a long time to recover from (if they do recover). This poor water related disease results in the RTC losing it's ability to absorb enough oxygen into its red blood cells to sustain its high metabolism and growth. The usual end result is; "My RTC just died for no apparent reason".
This is an awesome species that will recognize and interact with its owner. Mine was hand-fed and liked being scratched behind the top of his gills. But, they're intolerent of low-balling and shortcuts in any part of their setup.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm now thinking of going for a rectangular plywood tank. Something like 90"x35"x30." I figure he could stay there comfortably for a couple years.
 
a redtail cool!! i just think it should be for redtails; is a minum tank or pond 4x8ft 30inches high and if glass it should be 3quarters of an inch to 1inch thick
 
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