Sun Catfish tank--need advice

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 25, 2011
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Seattle
I am thinking about setting up a tank for sun catfish. I have a 55g right now, I'm not sure if this is adequate or if I should upgrade. I keep hearing lots of different sizes for the Sun from a max of 8" to a max of 17". Also I wanted to know if they can be kept in groups if they are all relatively the same size. Also any advice for keep these for or just tips on keeping catfish in general would be appreciated.
 
They grow slow and they also do better in groups if you prefer to see them. They hide a lot more in singles.

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I am thinking about setting up a tank for sun catfish. I have a 55g right now, I'm not sure if this is adequate or if I should upgrade. I keep hearing lots of different sizes for the Sun from a max of 8" to a max of 17". Also I wanted to know if they can be kept in groups if they are all relatively the same size. Also any advice for keep these for or just tips on keeping catfish in general would be appreciated.

best to keep in groups. they are VERY slow growers. max size is roughly 12 inches. I would say you need bigger than 55 gallon to keep a group of them.
 
Yes, a group of 6-8 is advisable so that you see them, unless your tank's bare but then the group is needed to reduce the stress of a bare tank.

They grow slow 1"-2" a year IME starting with 3-inchers. So, 55 gal may last for a long time, 2-3 years if starting from 3" fishes.

I've only heard of growth-inhibiting hormone secretion into, say, a pond water by an alpha-fish having an effect on its congeners, i.e., the same species. I have not heard otherwise but it may be a hole in my knowledge/education.
 
I have a group of 3 Sun Catfish in a 40. they are doing pretty good.
very shy during the day but i just turn lights off and they immediately begin to move.
I feed mine shrimp pellets. The smallest one hasa even learned to eat food sticks
from the surface.
 
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