Has anyone seen Red tail cat/tiger shovelnose crosses showing up in fish stores lately? Are they bred like blood parrots? I wonder if these fish are are naturally breeding or if they are test tube fish. Sorry if this has been already discussed.
RTC tiger shovelnose cross
- Thread starter sjo501
- Start date
some would argue this subject to death .... I belive like most on this forum that they are man made perposly or on accident is truely not known by me but I have also heard that they are a natual accourance in the wild. but be worned any hybrid is prone to '' hybrid vigar '' meaning it my be larger then said parent's , I belive the redtail and shovelnose average at about 4' to 6' possibly 100lbs to 200lbs .and possibly more aggressive some hybrid's are also prone to poor health.. hope you have a big tank 300gal at some point if you want it at a decent size 1' / 1'.5''.... 
I love how this hybrid looks. I think it is so cute. when i build my huge tank i would love one of these or just a TSN to go with my RTC
I just moved back home and I'm glad to see this forum. I actually bought one of thiese guys and was wondering if it really is a redtail/shovelnose cross. I would post up a picture, but I don't know how. It's about 4in. right now and kind of skinny, but he did go through a 6hour drive with me in a dinky little bag (it was pumped with oxygen). I would usually reasearch before I buy, but I was moving back to the Los Angeles area and couldn't pass it up. Any advice on this guy be great.
I prefer the RTC and TSN to this hybrid, I just don't think they look as good as either fish. And the ones I've seen appear to be less active and personable than a RTC.
the one I have is 23" and just went into a pond with 2 other hybrids. He is definitely the most aggressive. They all lived together in harmony in their previous owner's tank. Now I have them in an indoor pond, and I guess they are just trying to establish territory or something, but the tsn x rtc is extremely aggressive to the others. So be warned if you do get these fish, to me they seem more aggressive than their full blooded parents, and my hybrid is definitely personable. Very docile to me. I can rub his head and under his chin. Can't wait till their stress levels come down so they will eat again.
Red Tail Tiger Shovelnose fish are man made.They have been produced simply for the food trade and quite a few find their way into aquarium trade.Like many hybrid fishes produced like this the deformities in fry are monumental,hence the mortality rate is high.In England you can find many between 12" to 24" on classified fish sales sites.I have seen a few large specimins but none huge begging the question of how many actually make it to maturity-or have they only been available for the last few years and none have got to that stage yet.One fact-hybrids are much more prone to disease and weaknesses.
i've read articles (Venezuelan aquaculture investigators) that these fish are spawned, artificially under laboratory conditions, for use in aquaculture (food consumption). although the probability of someone who doesn't know better releasing 'em in the wild is very possible.
there's a big controversy on wether its appropriate for intentionally breeding these guys and offering 'em to the aquarium hobby. (for food consumption, im guessing they found that the hybrid are fast growers(than parents) and better tasting).
My curiousity got me and i got one, not to eat but to care for
some dont like 'em, and some loves 'em.
here's mine, ate one of my TSN its own size
there's a big controversy on wether its appropriate for intentionally breeding these guys and offering 'em to the aquarium hobby. (for food consumption, im guessing they found that the hybrid are fast growers(than parents) and better tasting).
My curiousity got me and i got one, not to eat but to care for
some dont like 'em, and some loves 'em.
here's mine, ate one of my TSN its own size