Pond Catfish???

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Chad55

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Jun 10, 2005
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I may be getting a 8'x3'x2' galvanized pond and putting it in my basement. I really want a RTC but I don't know if I want to go through the pain of giving it up in 3 or so years or trying to upgrade to a bigger pond. I was just wondering what would be like 2-3 larger cats that would be good to put in there. I don't really want to pay much over 25-30 bucks as I am going to be spending a bundle on this setup. I was thinking maybe a RTC and TSN and that being it. How long do you think they would be good in this pond? Or if you have other suggestions I am open to that too. Thanks guys

Chad
 
I would say you are looking at 2 or 3 years tops with those cats alone. I would go with something a lil smaller like jurense. These are not too expensive when found young. They might be slightly more expensive than what you are looking to pay, but it will stay in the size range for that pond. Also sorubim limas would work nicely in there. A small school of like 12- 20 limas would be awesome to see in a pond especially when they get close to 20-24 inches. That's just some of the ones I think would be cool in it. If you were going to keep it outside I would say bullheads or channels would be cool.
 
For some reason I just dont like jurnese. My bro was thinkin about a channel. I think I may just get a RTC and channel. Becuase I will be able to upgrade in 2-3 years. Although I really do like the TSN. I thought lima's stayed around 12-18". If they will get up to two feet I will get one of those instead of a TSN since you can't really tell the difference from the top anyways. Maybe a lima and a channel. What do you think? BTW necrocanis your cats are basically my inspiration for this pond. What do you think about maybe a RTC and another type of fish like a giant gourami or something? I am still tossing around ideas. So if anybody has any suggestions or things they have always wanted to do lemme know.

Chad
 
I forgot about this but I think I am going to be taking my cousins irridecent shark that his dad bought and threw in his 55 gal:screwy: . So I guess that might be one of the catfish. So maybe a RTC and pleco? What you think. I can always upgrade especially for the price I am getting this thing at.

Chad
 
wow, glad someone is inspired. Tnx. Hmmm, if you are dead set on getting a rtc and upgrading within the next 3 years then I would say go for the tsn instead of the limas. They do get to more than 2 ft, but it is rare to see them more than 18 inches. Even at 2 ft. they would be an easy snack for the RTC. Rtc will way outgrow a lima, and channel catfish for that matter. Although if you had a channel that is started out larger than the RTC you might be ok housing them for life. By that I mean have the channel cat already at 2ft when you get the RTC. Of course then you will have to house and raise the rtc seperate til it is big enough that the channel won't eat it. When the rtc is around 18 inches (like 6 months to a year) they will be fine together. Also just remember that channels, limas, and id sharks all grow much slower than RTCs. If you are dead set on having the RTC plus some other catfish stick with ones that have a similar growth rate, and get to around the same size. TSN are perfect tankmates for RTC. Just make sure that they can make clearly defined territories if you are putting substrate in your pond. If not then they will not be able to make territorial boundries and will just school together, and only ocassionally fight over food unless you hand feed them. Oh and don't forget to put a liner in that galvanized tub. You never know what strange reactions a fish will have from leached metals disolved in the water. The other reason I would suggest the tsn is that it is much more thickly bodied than the lima at the same size. RTC and TSN look great together. Are you dead set on pims or would you be willing to house other large cats?
 
channel catfish will grow to about 3ft over their life. There is the possibility for more but I wouldn't expect more. Bullheads get to a max of about 2 ft. You could get them easily from lakes or rivers, but you may also find some for sale on the web. Maybe there is a hatchery that will sell you some too near by. I catch bullheads and channels out of local ponds back at home in north carolina.
 
I would love to have the RTC. I am starting to think though it isnt a good idea. I want a RTC and TSN soo badly. I want to do what is best for the fish though. Is there any pims that get like 2-2.5' that don't just sit there like a log. That is why I want a RTC and TSN so badly. They are both pretty active atleast for cats. Also I thought that galvanized didn't release any chemicals or anything? I could go with the plastic ones but I don't think I can get one into my basement. Do you think if I got a round one it could hold a TSN and RTC for longer. It is 6' in dia. I do like the pims the best though.

Chad
 
I have the 6' dia plastic pond right now it's in my pics. I think you would be good for some time with it. My biggest fish is pushing 29" and has more than enough room. They are 350 gal. 2ft tall and 6ft dia. I would go for it if you can. Once the fish in it gets to around 3 1/2 - 4 ft. it will be time to upgrade. Mine swim laps around it for hours I put the water flow going around the outside and they follow it like a stream. I would say go for it. I am not too sure about the galvanized tubs, but I am not willing to risk any metal leaching on my fish. as for pims that get that size you are looking at they are the most expensive ones. I would say a rtc would do good for probably 4 or 5 years in a 6 ft. dia tub, really just depends on the individual growth rate of the fish. They can vary alot, but that tub would buy you a lot of time. With the 3ft. you mentioned 2 things, you are not going to have nearly the amount of time as with the 6 ft. dia to grow out, and you have a possible metal hazard, and you don't want your fish smashing into metal that doesn't give much. That's one thing I have come to love about my plastic tub is that the fish run into it as much as they want and no major damage. Glass and metal when fish run into those they can break bones and damage fins whiskers ect. Most I have had with the tub so far is bruised noses, but I am sure that's from the huge stones I have for substrate. Sounds like you are anxious. If you are really willing to keep a rtc for life and can afford the food bill and tank maintanence go for it. Get the 6 ft dia tub, caution they are tight fitting down narrow basement staircases. I had to squish mine a bit to get it into the basement, but with a lil effort it worked! Just remember eventually you will have to upgrade. I am moving soon and hope to get a place with a garage that way I am virtually unlimited in space for the pond. I am going to get the 8 ft dia tub if I do get a place with a garage! They are still 2ft tall but hold 500 or 600 gals.
 
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