My experience with Wallace’s shoehead catfish, scientific name Tetranematichrhys wallacei

[fishhead0103666]

Hate to necro a thread, but... there's been a few imports from Brazil (?), and they've come in on the smaller side (and a bit cheaper, too). Any chance you might have plans to give em another shot?

It’s interesting that you’ve brought this up as I was planning to make an update early next week once one last thing finished however I can make an update now. I found a lovely fish store in north Caroline Upscale Aquatics and have been following their Facebook page where they post their stock and I saw their freshwater stock update last Friday and saw a lone Wallace’s shoehead catfish so I made the drive up to them and got him. https://www.facebook.com/share/19nz1iSQto/?mibextid=wwXIfr Here is the listing with some comments on it by me. I’ve made an arrangement for them to get 8 more and reserve them for me to pick up on Sunday.

The current Wallace’s shoehead catfish has already taken frozen krill during the night and even during the day when the lights are on. Here is a picture of the lone Wallace’s shoehead catfish.
Also I’d like to point out I saw their listing on a break at work and immediately called them and told them I needed to buy it and they went out of their way to put him on their own website for me to buy. They have an awesome store which I took lots of pictures of and can share if anyone is interested, and great customer service.

 

[phreeflow]

It’s interesting that you’ve brought this up as I was planning to make an update early next week once one last thing finished however I can make an update now. I found a lovely fish store in north Caroline Upscale Aquatics and have been following their Facebook page where they post their stock and I saw their freshwater stock update last Friday and saw a lone Wallace’s shoehead catfish so I made the drive up to them and got him. https://www.facebook.com/share/19nz1iSQto/?mibextid=wwXIfr Here is the listing with some comments on it by me. I’ve made an arrangement for them to get 8 more and reserve them for me to pick up on Sunday.

The current Wallace’s shoehead catfish has already taken frozen krill during the night and even during the day when the lights are on. Here is a picture of the lone Wallace’s shoehead catfish. View attachment 1567058View attachment 1567059
Also I’d like to point out I saw their listing on a break at work and immediately called them and told them I needed to buy it and they went out of their way to put him on their own website for me to buy. They have an awesome store which I took lots of pictures of and can share if anyone is interested, and great customer service.

You finally got your Wallace’s again. Nice! Post updates and it’s looks like you’re making another 11 hour trip Sunday. Bring Prime, a bubbler, and attach a seasoned sponge filter if you have one.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Yes indeed I finally have my beloved Wallace’s shoehead catfish and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

Luckily the trip is only 11 hours round trip so the fish will only be in their bags for a 5.5 hour drive and then acclimating so roughly 6 hours in total. I’ll be asking them to split the group of 8 into either 3 or 4 bags so they aren’t too crowded for the trip. Given the short drive and few fish per bag do you still recommend I take those precautions? I didn’t feel it was necessary personally however I’m open to it

 

[jjohnwm]

Are bags necessary or desirable? Questionable, especially when you have had issues with pectorals punching through the bags in the past.

When I am transporting fish to or from town, I usually just fill up a cooler halfway with tank water, lock down the lid and run an airline through a hole drilled in the lid to a battery-powered airpump sold in bait shops. An airstone makes the bubbling action nice and gentle. I have worried about sloshing but I drive like an old lady with the cooler strapped down and haven't had any problems. I usually throw in a handful of Hornwort to cushion the fish a bit. Must make sure that the interior of the car is at a comfortable temperature, as otherwise the air pump is forcing cold air into the cooler which is not good.

I've moved coolers with hundreds of small fish at a time this way and it works.