Currently I have a neutral Ph 7.0 but I was wondering if my rtc could handle a little higher ph (about 8.2) if it was gradually increased my cichlids like it better and have more personality.
Ph levels for Red Tail Catfish?
- Thread starter bradharm18
- Start date
RTCs are wide-spread in the Amazon and live in a wide range of waters. Normally, they adapt well to any pH within 6 to 8. Of course, it is usually better to stay away from the extremes when a range is given, if possible. I think it may adapt ok to 8.2 but when it gets to be that alkaline, other factors may suddenly start to matter which were fine/didn't matter at 7.0. I am talking about toleration of the chemical composition of water and contaminants/toxins, efficiency of the immune system, oxygen needs, slime levels, etc. etc. pH affects every aspect of fish's body functions.
Plus, such a change in pH is usually associated with a dramatic (!) increase in water hardness, which has its effects too.
Another thing IDK the answer to is whether anybody ever tried pulling out a wild RTC from slightly acidic waters (pH ~6) and tried acclimating it to a slightly alkaline water (pH ~8) or vise versa and what such results would be. I mean RTCs do migrate but perhaps not within such different waters and maybe "localized" RTC populations (in one river or the other in SA or in parts of rivers) evolved in neutral, acidic, or alkaline water and are better kept in such waters.
BTW, same goes for temperature http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35007. Some rivers are significantly colder than others. Many are fed by Andes glaciers. One has to also consider that young RTCs live closer to the river banks in shallower waters while the big ones mostly live in deep waters in main river channels. Shallow water can reach into the mid-80-ies F easily while deep water is often around 70-75 F. Then, one has to consider that what we get in the trade are mostly farm-raised baby RTCs, which are raised in large pools in the midst of the hottest spot in the Amazonia in/near Manaus.
Plus, such a change in pH is usually associated with a dramatic (!) increase in water hardness, which has its effects too.
Another thing IDK the answer to is whether anybody ever tried pulling out a wild RTC from slightly acidic waters (pH ~6) and tried acclimating it to a slightly alkaline water (pH ~8) or vise versa and what such results would be. I mean RTCs do migrate but perhaps not within such different waters and maybe "localized" RTC populations (in one river or the other in SA or in parts of rivers) evolved in neutral, acidic, or alkaline water and are better kept in such waters.
BTW, same goes for temperature http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35007. Some rivers are significantly colder than others. Many are fed by Andes glaciers. One has to also consider that young RTCs live closer to the river banks in shallower waters while the big ones mostly live in deep waters in main river channels. Shallow water can reach into the mid-80-ies F easily while deep water is often around 70-75 F. Then, one has to consider that what we get in the trade are mostly farm-raised baby RTCs, which are raised in large pools in the midst of the hottest spot in the Amazonia in/near Manaus.
ime gh/kh are more important the PH itself usually when acclimateing fish from one water chemistry to another.. i have very hard water.. and keep rays, catfish, and other species generally found in more neutral waters. i have noticed over all slowing in growth in my cats, but increased in my rays.... and there are variables as said. can it be done? yes.. long term not sure the consiquences. i can say with my kh/gh off the charts my TDS range is also much higher.. meaning i have to do water changes due to this.. and not my nitrates. I have lost fish to high TDS that are not use to this ( imo one of the reason african cichlids are so hardy they can tolerate high TDs ranges most fish cant )
Temperature: 70-79°F (21-26°C)
pH: 6.0-7.5
Hardness: 2-12°H
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/phractocephalus-hemioliopterus/
pH: 6.0-7.5
Hardness: 2-12°H
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/phractocephalus-hemioliopterus/