well i'm seriously thinking about a red tail catfish tank, I'm not big on how massive they get, but I can deal with it, anywyas every site I read says they can bust tanks by running head first into the walls, so to prevent this they recommend a reinforced tank, where do u find these??? my lfs had no idea what I was talking about, is it just thicker material or made a certain way? thanks
RTC Tank
- Thread starter bluebeard4ever
- Start date
Rather than building/ buying a huge tank, you could buy a preformed pond. They are made out of a plastic, and are cheaper than aquariums. You can find them up to several hundred gallons, and they have a large "footprint"
I would keep one in a pond unless you really want to spend the cash to get a tank that could adaquitely hold a RTC for life. Whether you go with a tank or a pond though, you will want something at least 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, nothing less than that. These fish get huge, close to 5 feet and can can attain a weight of well over 200lbs. Also you must take the food bill into accound when getting one of these cats.
Most people buy these fish on impulse and when they end up with a huge fish, most end up dieing in the tank, are killed, or end up back at the LFS where they got the fish and most likely the LFS puts them down do the the fact it is very hard to place these fish in homes when big. I'm sure it is a very small percentage of fish that make it to adult hood.
Just something to think about before you jump into one of these.
Most people buy these fish on impulse and when they end up with a huge fish, most end up dieing in the tank, are killed, or end up back at the LFS where they got the fish and most likely the LFS puts them down do the the fact it is very hard to place these fish in homes when big. I'm sure it is a very small percentage of fish that make it to adult hood.
Just something to think about before you jump into one of these.
Man they are a beautiful fish. I always wanted one but cant. Maybe when I'm older and have my own Lake!
So on average, what is the food consumption of this fish? What would be an adaquate amount of food to keep the fish growing healthy, but not giving it as much as it can consume?
Reinforced glass?? no need to worry if it is housed properly and put with the right fish it won't be aa problem. these reports are extremely rare!! and if you get a big tank then the glass will probably be so thick i would like to see how many times you had to hit with a hammer before ya split it!!!
something like a 10x5x4 would be fine for it or like the others have said a pond type construction would be good but you would only see the top of the fish most of the time (don't like the pond s imo, not seeing all the beauty of such a fish). gd luck anywho 
something like a 10x5x4 would be fine for it or like the others have said a pond type construction would be good but you would only see the top of the fish most of the time (don't like the pond s imo, not seeing all the beauty of such a fish). gd luck anywho The folks who have a huge advantage are the ones who live in warmer climates ( parts of Florida, Hawaii, AZ, Nevada, etc) where the outside temp is warm enough all year long....
I saw some real nice RTC's in Florida and Hawaii having the time of their lives in mini lakes/ponds being hand fed....Friendly little buggers too !! Thats how I personally would have them -grow them while they are young and watch them explode.....
I saw some real nice RTC's in Florida and Hawaii having the time of their lives in mini lakes/ponds being hand fed....Friendly little buggers too !! Thats how I personally would have them -grow them while they are young and watch them explode.....