RTC growth rate in 2nd year

[2songbirds]

No flaming please, but I've owned one for 13 months. I know what to expect, as I special ordered him after researching and discussing with my hubby about the lifelong committments that have to be made to this one particular fish. I was able to him him from my lfs at only 2". Now, he's grown to 18" in the first year. What kind of growth rate can I expect in the 2nd year? I know catfish's growth is the fastest during the first year.

He/she is most gorgeous in his current, new home as we just moved him. This lil' guy is the only fish that I've had that has been in 4 different sized tanks, let alone in ONE YEAR!...54g as a tiny baby, 75g, 125g, now a 265g.

Adult size is 48"...how many years can it possibily take for them to reach maturity?

Thought I'd check w/ the moster professionals

 

[necrocanis]

you'd be on tract to see probably 1" per month in the second year. Goes down drastically after that. In the third year you might have months where they will hit 0.5" a month, but that would be rare. RTC grow their entire lives with adequate food supply, and clean water at the right temp. Their growth may be minimal after the 3rd year though. At about 38" it can seem like it comes to a hault. They are still growing though. This is an animal that can live for decades so growth might be miniscule, but over 20 years or so even a milimeter or two per month will add up. Generally they get darker at larger sizes too it seems. To actually grow a RTC to 48" in captivity would be a feat in it's self. You'd have to have a RTC from a region of the wild where they are known to be over this size as well as keeping everything in check for decades. My best gues would be a minimum of 10 years if you have a behemoth of a RTC that eats and grows like no other. Otherwise it may never reach this size potential. There is a slight potential for RTC to grow to larger sizes also, but IMO these are genetic freaks of nature, that have pituitary issues much like humans that are over 7'. At 48" you'd have a fish that weighs in close to 100 lbs. Hope this helps some. It would be awesome to see a 48" RTC in someone's aquarium, and I think it's possible, just need a MFKr that's dedicated enough to do it!

 

[2songbirds]

ahhh, thank you very much necrocanis...glad to see you're stlil on here, despite everything you've been through

 

[necrocanis]

I've not been on as much as I'd like, but slowly getting back into the swing of things. I've even got some fish now. lol. I guess I'm due to post them up sometime soon. Somehow though Li and his gang decided that I would make a good mod! lol, don't tell them the truth

 

[necrocanis]

P.S. I'm very jealous of your sig!!!!

 

[2songbirds]

also, aside from flaming, I believed that 3 years ago I'd be living in a bigger house. Currently we live in a townhouse. Now, that being said and done, should I start building his indoor "pond" now that he's only 18"? I was joking around with my hubby, but serious about putting an indoor pond/rubbermaid in our dining room *room allowed* as the garage is too cold for him in the winter.

A side note...I am NOT giving up this fish. We knew of what was required, but like I stated before, life happens and we didn't get a chance to buy a bigger house, one with a basement. Now, we are willing to accomodate. The dining room is the best option, as it's big enough to have the "pond" and dining room table, and 265g in....

we have a 2 1/2 foot achara catfish that we got the 265 for. That's where him and the rtc are currently housed...absolutely gorgeous, and mega filtration. I'm actually considering adding on more bio.

 

[2songbirds]

P.S. I'm very jealous of your sig!!!!

MY sig? you are actually the one who inspired me...having your big old tsn x rtc, and I belive achara x rtc???? I always stayed silent, but listened...

I've lost many fish due to stupid reasons/mistakes/some unknown, but I've had most of mine for at least 3-10 years. They are my obsession