Payara captive care guide

[xander]

Nice info, I think it could be written out a bit better but over all good. I do disagree with a few things. For example, some of the largest Armatus caught are NOT found in rivers rather lakes such as Lake Guri in venezuela.

thanks, will do.

when you say scombs have small pectorals all the pics i have seen the pectorals are large in relation to the other species

trev, apparently im wrong, this one's yours

"A good friend of mine had two 14inch Armatus and two 12inch African tigerfishes in a 4ft by 1.5ft tank, with no problems at all, tank got he upgraded it recently."

? I don't think that's grammatically correct.

"he got the tank upgraded recently"

thanks

regarding armatuses - current.
might be helpful to give a rough figure that your circulation powerhead should be pushing. maybe in relation to the fish's size? i dont know much about these fish so that's all i could think of. plus i think many people would be interested in growing out their armatuses fast.

can i call upon guys with more experience to answer this one?

I'de like to see some pics of 18 inch Rhaphs. When I asked around no one could confirm a specimen over a foot. I would say they get more aggressive with age. Mine used to be fairly passive.

trevvvvvvvvvvvv

Should also include a breaking guide so people can get them trainerd onto dead food. I've had all species but Cynos and they are all fairly easy to get off live.

PM'ed

it may be useful to have people experiences of the less hardy versions in order to warn people of the expected lifespan. This would prevent people buying say scombs for large prices and then it dying the next week none of us want that.

I know that you have mentioned the sudden death but it would be nice to have an average of when this happens because we know they usually die at 12" but people have said they last 2 weeks it cant grow that fast.

i know where you're comming from, but we need more input and experiences in order to add something like that.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

The have gained the name 2week scomb for a reason. I remember reading on here a long time ago about people getting excited about LFS's starting to carry PAYARA which were mostly scombs before the differences were widely known. And now you don't here much good about them. For instance when is the last time you seen a thread that said update on my scomb. Thats cause they died I thnk. Maybe there should be a poll for past and present scomb owners and how long they lasted. And what killed them. None of mine ever made it thru a full acclimatiom period. Like less than 2 months and I have owned 8-10 of these over the last 3-4 years.

 

[jonahonah]

The have gained the name 2week scomb for a reason. I remember reading on here a long time ago about people getting excited about LFS's starting to carry PAYARA which were mostly scombs before the differences were widely known. And now you don't here much good about them. For instance when is the last time you seen a thread that said update on my scomb. Thats cause they died I thnk. Maybe there should be a poll for past and present scomb owners and how long they lasted. And what killed them. None of mine ever made it thru a full acclimatiom period. Like less than 2 months and I have owned 8-10 of these over the last 3-4 years.

guessing i will go with buying the elongatus piranha instead

 

[krichardson]

The have gained the name 2week scomb for a reason. I remember reading on here a long time ago about people getting excited about LFS's starting to carry PAYARA which were mostly scombs before the differences were widely known. And now you don't here much good about them. For instance when is the last time you seen a thread that said update on my scomb. Thats cause they died I thnk. Maybe there should be a poll for past and present scomb owners and how long they lasted. And what killed them. None of mine ever made it thru a full acclimatiom period. Like less than 2 months and I have owned 8-10 of these over the last 3-4 years.

Mine is doing pretty well so far,I got him at the east coast MFK meet back in April,one and a half inch at fifteen bucks, now he is three inches in length and is more active than my eight inch tat and my baby armatus.He constantly patrols the tank,he's had a few bouts with ich but not recently.

 

[CichlaRyan]

The have gained the name 2week scomb for a reason. I remember reading on here a long time ago about people getting excited about LFS's starting to carry PAYARA which were mostly scombs before the differences were widely known. And now you don't here much good about them. For instance when is the last time you seen a thread that said update on my scomb. Thats cause they died I thnk. Maybe there should be a poll for past and present scomb owners and how long they lasted. And what killed them. None of mine ever made it thru a full acclimatiom period. Like less than 2 months and I have owned 8-10 of these over the last 3-4 years.

you are greatly mistaken im sorry, my biggest scomb is passing 7in and i have had him since 3.5in it has been 1year! I will post pics when i get a clear shot at him. and FWI if your really trying to raise this fish you will do as it needs and requires. Fish dont just randomly die at 12in this is a myth and usually can be busted if you look in your tank close enough or check your parameters the day it died.

 

[krichardson]

You guys didnt delve into the gill cover markings and the fact that each of the big three have different shaped markings,this is right up there with the adipose fin as far as identification.Now that I have the three of them,I can appreciate the differences but others may not be aware of these marks.Good job otherwise,you fellows should look into putting together a book about these fish since one does not seem to already exist.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

The have gained the name 2week scomb for a reason. I remember reading on here a long time ago about people getting excited about LFS's starting to carry PAYARA which were mostly scombs before the differences were widely known. And now you don't here much good about them. For instance when is the last time you seen a thread that said update on my scomb. Thats cause they died I thnk. Maybe there should be a poll for past and present scomb owners and how long they lasted. And what killed them. None of mine ever made it thru a full acclimatiom period. Like less than 2 months and I have owned 8-10 of these over the last 3-4 years.

My scombs were doing great for a month, but their cause of death was poor planning on my part as they were eaten by a catfish that suddenly developed a taste for scomb meat. (All were eaten in one weekend while I was out of town) All were healthy, happy, and good eaters...

 

[JD7.62]

One thing I didnt see is the the fact that NONE of these fish are for beginners. I see way too many people here new to fish keeping buying an armatus and that is just insane! Hydros and especially armatus are for experienced dedicated hobbiest, not just some punk kid who thinks its cool to have a fish with big teeth. Its like learning to drive with a corvette. Yeah youll look cool at first but you will eventually crash and burn.

 

[DB junkie]

you are greatly mistaken im sorry, my biggest scomb is passing 7in and i have had him since 3.5in it has been 1year! I will post pics when i get a clear shot at him. and FWI if your really trying to raise this fish you will do as it needs and requires. Fish dont just randomly die at 12in this is a myth and usually can be busted if you look in your tank close enough or check your parameters the day it died.

This isn't just a myth for no reason.....IF it was you would easily be able to find one in captivity over a foot.....Guess what???? Jury is still out there looking and have been for years. Just cause you have one at 7 inches does NOT mean you are going to break the myth. I had 2 for over a year and both were at least 7 inches when they died.... You still have 6 inches to go. And even if you did get it to 13.....that makes you what? ONE in thousands? Still NOT good odds.

 

[jonahonah]

very true that we should make sure people realise they are for 'experts' but saying punk kids is a bit of a misnomer as working in the trade myself i find alot of the people fascinated by big teeth and aggression tend to be adults with very little fish experience. Most of the youger people i meet actually listen when i show how much work there is involved. Maybe kids know they are lazy and are willing to admit and the adults dont want to admit to someone younger, namely me, that they will be to lazy and cheap to do what is needed.