rtc x tsn hybrid: tankmates?

[justonemoretank]

My pond is not really that big, and it's 1,000 gallons. In order to get the right dimensions to house one of these big cats for life, it pretty much takes you to 1000 gallons without trying.

gacericardo, perhaps it would be more helpful if you specified how large you think the pond would have to be, instead of just saying how large it doesn't have to be. Do you keep a large catfish? If so, how large is your pond? This is the stuff the OP needs to know!

Personally, I think 1,000 gals is minimum.

Also, I agree with WetWhiskers -- it can be extremely difficult to rehome these guys when they get larger. It will be much easier to take him back or rehome him now. Try posting in the marketplace here to find him another home.

 

[gacericardo]

There is a hybrid at my lfs in a 540 gallon tank. Its 4 feet wide and i think 7-8 feet long. Catfish has plenty of room in there. The fish is only about 26 inches and could probably reach close to 3 feet. Get a stock tank if you cant afford a big aquarium. There are plenty of alternatives for a huge cat. And if you guys think everyone who has a hybrid or any sort of big cat is ever going to own a 1,000 gallon aquarium you are being naive. Mine is going into a 700 and thats about as big as he will get to live in. Unless the DWA wants him

 

[justonemoretank]

And if you guys think everyone who has a hybrid or any sort of big cat is ever going to own a 1,000 gallon aquarium you are being naive. Mine is going into a 700 and thats about as big as he will get to live in. Unless the DWA wants him

Why can't we hope that they'll do what's best? Why is that naive? I did it -- built a pond, I mean. Why can't I hope that's what every one will do -- have the personal responsibility to care for the fish that they brought back home in a little baggie when it was nice and cute at three inches?

I don't know anything about the fish that you have, but it's sad to know that even if he needs something larger, he won't get it, because you're so intent on not providing him with what he needs that you'd actually suggest it to someone else.

 

[nla2d]

got my rtc hybrid about nine months ago, he did not grow near as fast as the other posts untill just recently. i was forced to move him several times after college and had water problems, he would not eat welll because of low ph, when the water chemistry became better the fish has been growing two inches a month, nows he at 16 inches in a 135, ive got the same problem you will be facing shortly

 

[gacericardo]

Why can't we hope that they'll do what's best? Why is that naive? I did it -- built a pond, I mean. Why can't I hope that's what every one will do -- have the personal responsibility to care for the fish that they brought back home in a little baggie when it was nice and cute at three inches?

I don't know anything about the fish that you have, but it's sad to know that even if he needs something larger, he won't get it, because you're so intent on not providing him with what he needs that you'd actually suggest it to someone else.

I didnt mean that in a negative way. I just dont see everyone who has bought an rtc giving it the home it needs. I would certainly build my fish the tank they need as i plan on doing. I just wouldnt expect most to do that. JMO

oh and my old TSN is now in a 200,000 gallon aquarium at the Dallas World Aquarium. Does that count for getting him the right home?

 

[justonemoretank]

Mine is going into a 700 and thats about as big as he will get to live in.

Sorry, but you sounded pretty sure on this one. It really sounds like you have picked this magic number (700) and he's not getting anything bigger.

oh and my old TSN is now in a 200,000 gallon aquarium at the Dallas World Aquarium. Does that count for getting him the right home?

I guess, but if you had done the most responsible thing, you'd still have him, right? I mean, there aren't enough Public Aquariums in the world to save all of these TSNs and RTCs. We have to, as aquarists, let folks know what they're getting into and provide all the resources that we can so that they can provide for the animal for life, not send him to a Public Aquarium. That's the reason I say 1,000, and it may end up being more, but you have to be open to providing that -- at the end of the day, you're the one who carried him home.

 

[Wet Whiskers]

I guess, but if you had done the most responsible thing, you'd still have him, right? I mean, there aren't enough Public Aquariums in the world to save all of these TSNs and RTCs. We have to, as aquarists, let folks know what they're getting into and provide all the resources that we can so that they can provide for the animal for life, not send him to a Public Aquarium. That's the reason I say 1,000, and it may end up being more, but you have to be open to providing that -- at the end of the day, you're the one who carried him home.

If we purchase a fish and encourage the fish stores to continue to bring these giants in, we better be prepared to properly house these guys for life rather than to assume we'll be able to just pass the responsibility off to someone else. Also, it is extremely sad that too many fish will end up being kept in tanks way to small. We're not naive, but rather responsible, fish keepers to inform people what this fish will actually need rather than what will just keep him wet. Saying that these giant fish will be able to live in a 700 gallon tank for the rest of their lives is giving false information about what this will need. I have TSNs and a RTCxTSN that are 23-26" in a 8'x4'x30" 600 gallon tank and I know I will need to upgrade in the next year to year and a half.

 

[matt clark]

i think people should have to prove they have at least 1000 g tank for one of these fish before they can even take one home. i agree with everythin justone ans wet whiskers are saying. i get so fedup of the same old threads asking how big there tank needs to be for an rtc etc. people can see pictures of the size these fish can get all over the net. if your unsure that you can house one you should not have one.

 

[Austin]

I didnt mean that in a negative way. I just dont see everyone who has bought an rtc giving it the home it needs. I would certainly build my fish the tank they need as i plan on doing. I just wouldnt expect most to do that. JMO

oh and my old TSN is now in a 200,000 gallon aquarium at the Dallas World Aquarium. Does that count for getting him the right home?

DWA no longer takes large cats because of irresponsible folks and their monster 75 gal tanks bro. they actually aren't taking anything at the moment.

 

[Satan's Goldfish]

I didnt mean that in a negative way. I just dont see everyone who has bought an rtc giving it the home it needs. I would certainly build my fish the tank they need as i plan on doing. I just wouldnt expect most to do that. JMO

oh and my old TSN is now in a 200,000 gallon aquarium at the Dallas World Aquarium. Does that count for getting him the right home?

You're probably right, most won't get the home they need to live a happy life. But at least on here we can advise people what they will need to house one if they buy one and aren't sure or don't know, like the op of this thread.

I look at the 1000gal i'm building so i can get my fish out of my paddling pool and i know that one day i will need to build bigger still as a 4'+ Hybrid will be a little cramped. There is a sticky in the catfish forum that covers rtc, tsn, and rtcxtsn and their minimum requirements, and hybrids grow faster and larger than either the tsn or rtc. 6' is a possibility. Describe to me a 700gal that could house a fish that size?

And yes you did do the right thing for YOUR tsn, but the right home to start with would have involved him not ending up in a public aquarium. Unfortunatly most people don't realise what the cute little tsn will turn into when they buy them and only the lucky ones will end up somewhere like that and not suffering.