new irwini!-)

[Evz jardini]

Hahaha see what I mean about dropping them as soon as they feel the spikes

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[justarn]

Lol, I think it cut his mouth a little!

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[Evz jardini]

Out comes the magic melafix

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[festaedan]

He looks awesome justin! That wyckii is getting massive!

Out comes the magic melafix

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lol

Hahaha see what I mean about dropping them as soon as they feel the spikes

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lol, when I got mine I got him in a bag. Well, in less than a minute he tears open a big whole in the bag. We turned back imediately and borrowed a bucket. The big guy looked fine but I wasn't too sure.

 

[Evz jardini]

Hahaha mine came in a bucket I thought ahead after looking at pics

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[jiant2520]

I love that cat!!

 

[Mr. Mom]

I've wanted one of these guys for awhile ... every time I see one it's so hard to pass up ... just not ready yet tank wise.
Awesome video Justarn ... gives an appreciation for its natural defenses.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Very pretty yellow on your irwini, Justin!

Looking good mate considering where you got him from etc , love the pattern and he's pretty plump already , makes me miss mine I lost View attachment 1016692View attachment 1016693

Mate, I am having doubts the fish in these pics is an irwini. Looks much closer to my eye to be a Lithodoras dorsalis: http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=443 - these have such a regular coloration and more plates. Irwini most usually is blotchy. If it is a litho, that's far more rare. Very rare.

 

[justarn]

Cheers dude, dont evz will be even more gutted he lost him... wa a watching the 6th episode of amazon abyss last night, some awesome armored catfish...

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[Drstrangelove]

2.5 inch per year!!! thats seriously slow, hopefully mine will grow a bit faster in the 300! did you get snails for yours?

I've researched and found people that have grown them from 1.5" to 12" in 10 months, also I saw some 4" to 12" in 9 months.

My take is that they require special care if you want fastest growth.

Possible conditions to encourage growth:

1) correct food (snails, clams, sinking pellets, mussels, earthworms, bloodworms, etc.)
2) correct amount of food (a lot)
3) correct feeding time of day (they need to be fed at night---probably in the dark---until they are large enough to come out to feed in daytime. Seems like until 10-12")
4) correct tankmates (similar catfish or same type as they are quite gregarious in nature-in groups they will often form "piles" of catfish)
5) correct size, type and amount of hiding places (possible preference is for dark overhangs or for snug tubes)
6) of course, clean, oxygenated water


I haven't raised any, but I plan to get some when my large tank is up. Gorgeous and personable fish that I can't wait to have.