Need a little info about my RTCxTSN

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A

Antony.E

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2010
56
0
0
Ohio
I've had a RTCxTSN for a few months now and he's about 5-6 inches. He eats a bunch like he should, but being that this is my first big cat I don't want to just assume things.

He seems like he's panting... like he's out of breath. I don't know if this is a big deal, but I've heard of people getting these cats and they die around this size. I'd just like to know if there's anything to worry about.
 
I can recall mine going through a panting phase, got no idea why. Just keep on top of the water parameters and it should be fine. What's the footprint of the tank you have it in at the moment? Mine settled a lot when it was moved to a larger area.
 
He's not in a very big tank right now. It's a 30 tall until a few months from now when I build a big one for him. He's only about 6 inches long, though, so I can't imagine that would be too big of an issue. Temperature is kept at about 75F. Filtration is... I don't really know anything about filtration. It's a carbon filter that's rated for a 55 gallon. I do water changes about once a month. I usually change about 60 percent of the water and generally treat it with start right and nox-ich when I change it just to be safe.

Substrate is sand, all plants are synthetic, and he's in with a Tiger Oscar. These are all of the details I can provide.
 
Ok, firstly at 6 inches and with an oscar a 30 tall is going to be a little cramped, so the sooner you can set him up a larger tank the better. Just for comparison, mine grew from 4" to 18" in just over a couple of months! They are both messy fish so your water quality is going to take a beating. Get yourself test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate and see what your readings are. Is there a name or model number on your filter? Is there a big 'mechanical' filtration sponge on there too? Even though it's rated for a 55 and is on a 30 with the fish you have it's capacity for bio filtration will probably not be enough. Also, 60% water change with the additives you use is great, but up it to at least every 2 weeks if not once a week until you have the larger tank for your fish and see if that helps him. Do you stir all the crap out of the sand when you water change?

Great choice of fish anyway, love mine to bits. Always good to have one tame enough to hand feed even if 1000gal of water does take up a lot of space! lol. Anything else you need help with just ask.
 
You might want to consider adding an aerator- lack of aeration may be the cause for your TSNxRTC to be panting, extra aeration certainly can't hurt!

Carbon filtration usually has no place in an aquarium except for removing medications. Even though you add this "nox-ich" and "start right" the carbon filter will likely remove it from your system very quickly. Carbon filtration also has been speculated to "leech" nutrients from your system and carbon dust may also be harmful.

I would either get a new filter, or put different filter media in there instead of carbon.

75F is pretty warm but if you have the option you might want to increase it by 2 or 3 degrees.

Your also going to want to increase those water changes to at least bi-weekly. With a month in between, the nutrient sources in your tank are going to get depleted (even though your water parameters might be good) especially since you have a carbon filter.

Have fun and good luck with your hybrid! They are awesome catfish.

Peace
 
Do a 30% water change once a week and check your ammo. nitrite and nitrate levels. Also add more bio filtration something like a fluval 205 or 305 canister filled with scrubbies, and you can add it to your big tank as extra when you get it.
 
Its not a good idea to purchase a RTCXTSN unless you already have a 500 gallon plus tank for it to last a year in.
If kept well these fish can grow well over a foot in just a few months, so give it two months your 6" could be an 18"!
For now i recomend purchasing an external filter or filling your current filter with some kind of sponge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom