+1 they should have to be special ordered from only select exporters and you should have to prove you have a 3,000+ gallon tank or pond which IMO is the minimum size is ever think of keeping a single one in.
So I am getting a 3 inch red tail catfish
- Thread starter gus_fish
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+1 they should have to be special ordered from only select exporters and you should have to prove you have a 3,000+ gallon tank or pond which IMO is the minimum size is ever think of keeping a single one in.
For the record -Everything about them needing a huge pond or enclosure stated above is 100% correct. However, since you said you are already going to get him and in case you have not been dissuaded...just an FYI...Here is one of many reason I had to give mine up to a more suitable home...An RTC will eat all of your fish if he thinks he can fit them in his mouth. It doesn't matter if they are the same size. They have appetites rivaling that of the gulper catfish, so just don't be surprised if you find his tank mates have become lunch. With that being said, they are IMO one of the most beautiful fish species of catfish and I so wish I had a massive pond or shrinking machine so I could keep one. When I had mine, almost everyone ignored my, IMO, rather awesome collection of fish and just pointed out the RTC and said OMG. He is so cute/amazing/stunning...what is he. I always found myself saying "Hey, look at the other fish! They are pretty cool too" LOL. Either way, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Just thought of something. OP could get an SB RTC, well I mean if he can find one, a Platinum SB RTC is one of my dream fish that I could actually get a tank big enough for eventually 
If I had someone I could give it to in say 4 months I'd definitely grow one out for he experience, sadly tha PPG aquarium doesn't take fish for people or there'd be a lot more than 3 RTCs there XD
If I had someone I could give it to in say 4 months I'd definitely grow one out for he experience, sadly tha PPG aquarium doesn't take fish for people or there'd be a lot more than 3 RTCs there XD
In a perfect world, sure. But, I think enforcing this or choosing what fish are included in this group to be special ordered can get dicey. So if potential buyers would need to show evidence of a 3000 gallon minimum for an RTC, then what next. 1500 plus gallon for a peacock bass (they get huge and are much for active swimmers than RTC). What about Dovii - 1000 gallon minimum...they get 24 inches+. Rays - should they be banned altogether and left for public aquariums. What I'm trying to say, once you start regulating what fish we can keep more than it is already being regulated, unintended consequences can occur for a whole lot of fish besides the RTC we started with. To paraphrase Mark Cuban "It can become a slippery slope"
yeah I know that wouldn't work out I was just putting it out there. In a perfect world: everyone would be a responsible enough hobbyist to not get an RTC unless you could acommadate one but that'll never happen sadly.
Totally agree. Most likely unreal but gotta be an optimist though
one fish, one keeper at a time...
i didnt read the thread u posted but did have quick look at the pics, and just keep in mind RTC come up like this to feed.... you can tell he has an empty stomach and my bet was he was swimming in an upward direction for a feed.
all of mine swim like "submarines" all the time except wen i approach my pool they immediately come up on a 45 degree angle for a pat and a feed mine are 3' in something considerately smaller then 2000gallons... Dont get me wrong bigger is better but i just cant justify u saying if they are swimming vertically they need more space
Looks like I have not worded it clearly. I've been seeing this fish and its RTC tank mate of the same size (who was killed by chlorinated water accident recently) for years. I've never seen them swim around "like subs". Always either sedentary on the bottom or vertically / semi-vertically against the front glass in one spot.
Hence, I used the word "prefers". Coupled with the prior sentence, it meant prefers "all the time", not "for this moment". You are right, it'd be utterly silly to generalize from one snapshot.
I am glad your 3'-ers are doing great in a less than 2000 gal. But IMHO, exceptions exist to any rule (of thumb or not) and they do not deny the rule.
What are the dimensions of your tank, Mayo? I've seen the photos and threads but do not recall the size.
Hence, I used the word "prefers". Coupled with the prior sentence, it meant prefers "all the time", not "for this moment". You are right, it'd be utterly silly to generalize from one snapshot.
I am glad your 3'-ers are doing great in a less than 2000 gal. But IMHO, exceptions exist to any rule (of thumb or not) and they do not deny the rule.
What are the dimensions of your tank, Mayo? I've seen the photos and threads but do not recall the size.
