hey folks, I just acquired 2 achara cats for $5 at an auction. I have read a few articles so far about them, including sizes. I'm just wondering if anyone in here has any words of wisdom, advice or cautions. I have them in a 180 and am looking to most likely double up some time next year or so. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
New acharas
- Thread starter Matteus
- Start date
Hmm well shoot. I was expecting they would be ok for a year, after reading a previous thread saying they would be about 16" around then. Are you suggesting they will outgrow this tank before a year?
Oh yes. The barbels are twice as long as the body when outstretched horizontally. And if the fish touches glass with both simultaneously they feel crowded and need to escape. So with that calculation at 12" it can touch both sides. But with the driftwood and caves that they require to hide in there is only about 4" on each side. So technically a 2" specimen is too big for the 180 gal tank.
Well I could seriously just cuss at these lfs's that say 16" in captivity. I'm quite upset. This was supposed to be the smaller alternative to my childhood dream to have an id shark or a tiger shovel nose.
Well there is only one solution to this...
Take my wife out for a nice steak dinner and walk in the wilderness to break the news to her that we are going to need to do the basement renovation sooner than later so we can make our laundry room into a fish tank wall
Oh yes. The barbels are twice as long as the body when outstretched horizontally. And if the fish touches glass with both simultaneously they feel crowded and need to escape. So with that calculation at 12" it can touch both sides.
*****That's right.
But with the driftwood and caves that they require to hide in there is only about 4" on each side. So technically a 2" specimen is too big for the 180 gal tank.
*****I didn't get that. The fish has to touch front and back panels of the tank to feel trapped, out where it thinks it should be in the "open water." Touching caves or wood doesn't count. It is not open water.
Well I could seriously just cuss at these lfs's that say 16" in captivity. I'm quite upset. This was supposed to be the smaller alternative to my childhood dream to have an id shark or a tiger shovel nose.
*****The farm cull TSNs we have in the hobby require about the same minimum size tank as achara.
Well there is only one solution to this...
Take my wife out for a nice steak dinner and walk in the wilderness to break the news to her that we are going to need to do the basement renovation sooner than later so we can make our laundry room into a fish tank wall
*****Haha... If you get a 500 gal 8'x4'x2', that would be an adequate minimum for an adult. There are also plastic tubs, stock tanks, etc. that can be used. After all, a 350 gal is not as bad because most keepers I've rescued these catfish from kept them in like a 90 gal, while the fish was 2' and quite skittish.
*****That's right.
But with the driftwood and caves that they require to hide in there is only about 4" on each side. So technically a 2" specimen is too big for the 180 gal tank.
*****I didn't get that. The fish has to touch front and back panels of the tank to feel trapped, out where it thinks it should be in the "open water." Touching caves or wood doesn't count. It is not open water.
Well I could seriously just cuss at these lfs's that say 16" in captivity. I'm quite upset. This was supposed to be the smaller alternative to my childhood dream to have an id shark or a tiger shovel nose.
*****The farm cull TSNs we have in the hobby require about the same minimum size tank as achara.
Well there is only one solution to this...
Take my wife out for a nice steak dinner and walk in the wilderness to break the news to her that we are going to need to do the basement renovation sooner than later so we can make our laundry room into a fish tank wall
*****Haha... If you get a 500 gal 8'x4'x2', that would be an adequate minimum for an adult. There are also plastic tubs, stock tanks, etc. that can be used. After all, a 350 gal is not as bad because most keepers I've rescued these catfish from kept them in like a 90 gal, while the fish was 2' and quite skittish.
Tbtb- it sounds to me like you are my heroe. I wish I could have the capacity you seem to have. I would love to see your fish some day. Thank you for the info. I feel ashamed of myself, because I felt like I had researched enough to understand these guys, but after I posted this thread - reread some of what I had previously seen and realized I missed the part about the barbels.
The sad reality is I won't be able to upgrade from my 180 for at least a year from now so I am currently about to meet up with the fellow that has sourced these guys to me and see if he will take them back.
I told my wife that we need to buy a bigger house in order for our new tank to happen. She smiled, chuckled nervously, then became slightly anxious as she realized that I wasn't joking. Then she asked how big of a tank I need, and I told her 4000 gallons will suffice. Now back to the drawing board and possibly a real estate site...
Thanks but I am not a hero
I don't want to be the nay teller. We all started somewhere and most of us with smaller tanks than your 180. [1] If we are really talking a year and/or
[2] if you have a back up plan (someone lined up to take your fish if you find you cannot adequately house them any longer),
then I think you could try it. Make a thread on MFK on the fish and come back regularly with info, updates, and visuals. It'll be a nice thread, if you report honestly and earnestly your observations and experience.
But remember the two conditions I propose you should commit to if going that route.
HAHA, you really shouldn't have scared your wife like this. Remember steps! Don't make sudden grandiose moves, like 4000 gal tomorrow. If you creep up to such gallonage and get her to enjoy or at least not mind your hobby, it will happen.