So, we went to the local garden centre today. My missus wanted to go because they have started stocking all the xmas stuff, she wanted to get a few ideas.
Within the garden centre there is a section for fish, not just outdoor pond fish, but also tropical fish. We always start off in that section so I can have a look at fish.
Now my missus isn't exactly into my hobby, it's more of a perseveres with it type of agreement. So imagine my delight when she took some interest in some cute little catfish. They were being sold as "shark catfish". Beautiful little things about 2" apiece. She wanted some but I knew nothing about them at all and I usually make it a rule that I do my research on a fish before purchase.
But my missus was showing an interest in my hobby, get a couple of these fish, keep her sweet and who knows, good leverage for an upgrade further down the road, you know how it works.
So I thought i'd go against the grain for the sake of the missus and solely rely on the advice of the store guy. I asked him what size they grew to, whether my other fish, and plants, were safe. The answers I got were promising. Only grows to 8" or so, peaceful with other fish and prefers planted aquariums. He also said it does better in groups, so my missus said, let's get three!
So we gets home, first thing I did was get on the Internet for these "shark catfish". They have a whole host of common names but the one that matters, and the pictures proved it, were that the three fish i'd purchased were indeed "hexanematichthys seemani". Now you catfish guys will probably be familiar with this species.
It can get to 20" in length, it does better in brackish water and once it gets to a certain size it will consider the rest of my stock as food!!! Not details shared by the store guy!
Now I can take these cute little guys back, no problem, if what I read is completely true. I also read some online forum reports that these guys were a very placid and active non aggressive species that were a welcome addition to a community tank.
HELP! am I better taking them back or am I worrying needlessly.
Within the garden centre there is a section for fish, not just outdoor pond fish, but also tropical fish. We always start off in that section so I can have a look at fish.
Now my missus isn't exactly into my hobby, it's more of a perseveres with it type of agreement. So imagine my delight when she took some interest in some cute little catfish. They were being sold as "shark catfish". Beautiful little things about 2" apiece. She wanted some but I knew nothing about them at all and I usually make it a rule that I do my research on a fish before purchase.
But my missus was showing an interest in my hobby, get a couple of these fish, keep her sweet and who knows, good leverage for an upgrade further down the road, you know how it works.
So I thought i'd go against the grain for the sake of the missus and solely rely on the advice of the store guy. I asked him what size they grew to, whether my other fish, and plants, were safe. The answers I got were promising. Only grows to 8" or so, peaceful with other fish and prefers planted aquariums. He also said it does better in groups, so my missus said, let's get three!
So we gets home, first thing I did was get on the Internet for these "shark catfish". They have a whole host of common names but the one that matters, and the pictures proved it, were that the three fish i'd purchased were indeed "hexanematichthys seemani". Now you catfish guys will probably be familiar with this species.
It can get to 20" in length, it does better in brackish water and once it gets to a certain size it will consider the rest of my stock as food!!! Not details shared by the store guy!
Now I can take these cute little guys back, no problem, if what I read is completely true. I also read some online forum reports that these guys were a very placid and active non aggressive species that were a welcome addition to a community tank.
HELP! am I better taking them back or am I worrying needlessly.
