i have loved the RTC and TSN and started wondering what is a suitable sized tank that you can keep one in for a short while. if i got one he wouldn't stay in one of the tanks i have for very long as i am upgrading in the next 3 months, but what size could a young RTC or TSN live in until i got them into a permanent tank?
RTC size and comparability
- Thread starter jerzyperson
- Start date
Just wait and set your new tank up first. Actually, I hope it's a pond, seeing as how your 55 has a pacu in it. I'd wait. It will be easier on you and on the fish.
i have a rtc in a 60 gal but its temp, iam in the process of building 200g. id say hes about 7-8in, prob just under a year old, and hes happy...
im getting a new tank today, and getting all my fish out of my 55 gallon tank. so i was wondering if he could live safely in a 55 gallon tank. i plan on probably putting a jack dempsey in it (i have two but i have to euthanize the second one) a GT and a lemon oscar 3" thats it for now, i plan on, if its possible get one that will grow with the oscar
senate09;3408592; said:
He should be at least a foot and half if he's almost a year old. He's not happy. And a 200 gallon wouldn't last two years if he was healthy, but since he seems stunted, it might hold him.
To the OP: I'm giving you real advice. My catfish is huge. He's two feet after a year and a half. He's in a one thousand gallon pond. He's never even been sick. I'm telling you these things not to brag, but to prove that if you do it the right way, instead of the easy way, you will have a beautiful, healthy RTC to show for it. Do it wrong, stick him in a little tank, and you'll have a fish that's seven inches when he should be two and a half times that size.
He can live in a 55 for six months at the most. In that time, hope that nothing comes up that needs your money more... there are a lot of things that take priority over fish. I know I love my fish a lot (enough to build him a pond) but if someone got sick, or a family member needed help, you're probably going to take care of those things first. That's why I say just get the new home ready first. Don't chance it.
do not get a rtc if you have only a 200 gal its like getting a puppy and keeping him in the trunk of your toyota my rtc is in a 300 right now but i have a pond in my shop that he will be in before he gets too b ig my point is if you dont have the means to keep one of these guys in place before you get one the fish will suffer
OP....Please look at my post here
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266793
mine went from 2" to 16" in three months. That was in a 55gal, only fish in there, 2-3x a week water changes, and if they get sick or overeat and puke you just added a 75-80% water change to that mix.. One thing to think about besides tank size is cost of food. Yes when they get older you will only feed 1-2x a week but during the first year or two they are fed just about daily. I am feeding 5-6 raw shrimp each day right now.
When I was researching the RTC for purchase the thought that went through my head was " oh these people are exaggerating, it cant involve that much work". Well now that I have one I can say that no one was exaggerating ! It is as hard or harder as everyone says to keep this beautiful fish happy and healthy. I have already started thinking about the next pond build needed in 2 years or so to properly hold my rtc when he gets older......
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266793
mine went from 2" to 16" in three months. That was in a 55gal, only fish in there, 2-3x a week water changes, and if they get sick or overeat and puke you just added a 75-80% water change to that mix.. One thing to think about besides tank size is cost of food. Yes when they get older you will only feed 1-2x a week but during the first year or two they are fed just about daily. I am feeding 5-6 raw shrimp each day right now.
When I was researching the RTC for purchase the thought that went through my head was " oh these people are exaggerating, it cant involve that much work". Well now that I have one I can say that no one was exaggerating ! It is as hard or harder as everyone says to keep this beautiful fish happy and healthy. I have already started thinking about the next pond build needed in 2 years or so to properly hold my rtc when he gets older......
Also, lots of food = huge bioload = monster filtration. Why not put your money into your permanent set-up, instead of buying filter after filter to keep up with a fish that's in a tank that's too small for him, and then moving him anyway?
i ment to mention that again he will not stay in a 55 gal for no more then 3-4 months as hunting season will be over with and i will be able to get a bigger tank