Talk me out of it

[Robert S]

A local fish store has a 15 inch Red Tail Cat and they are asking if I want because they know I have a 300 gallon. (It's been there for about 3 months)But the tank is only 24 inches wide, I don't think that's deep enough and I know the RTC's get so huge, I won't be able to keep much else in there as this monster matures. I already have a 18 inch Marbled Pim in the tank......I like the idea of giving the RTC a good home but wouldn't it only be a temporary home for him?? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Here's the tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5_b6WwgMQc

 

[gobucks1]

Don't do it.

He'd outgrow your tank in less than a year anyway.

 

[koop171]

^^^ agreed. ^^^ they just grow to fast. and 24 wide isn't good if it was a 3' wide lightly stocked 300 then I would say go for it.

 

[bigfishsmallpond]

what you have in thare is better than a ripoff of a rtc

 

[Robert S]

Thank you I needed a reality slap!

 

[djarmstrong]

Basicly it will outgrow your tank in the next few months and then will need a tank/ pond about 10x10Foot +++ when the RTC' is fully grown and if you plan to keep your current fish in with the RTC for along time him will most likely end up eating them .

So unless you can build a tank/ pond about 10x10Foot i wouldnt get him .

Nice tank anyways , healthy looking fish .

 

[gomezladdams]

Youre gonna replace all those cool fish with one big fish hovering in place that cant turn around?Dont do it.

 

[necrocanis]

Good advice from the others. RTC are an awesome fish to own, very personable, will eat from your hand, can be petted with ease, and are one of the most gorgeous catfish IMO. The problem is the size they can attain in a very short amount of time. You really need a pond, or tank of very large size to house one for life. For my large catfish I'm building a 4000 gal tank, and already have plans to eventually build a larger 10,000 gal tank. I figure on keeping around 15 - 20 large catfish in the 4000 gal, but as they get larger I will be upgrading, by building the 10,000 gal tank. I specially designed the 4000 gal for keeping catfish. Hope this comes in handy. A 15" rtc in the worst case scenario would still only be a year old if cared for properly. You can expect he will hit around the 28-30" mark in the next year if you feed him adequately, and keep his water pristine.

 

[necrocanis]

oh, and a pic always helps!

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Id leave it, more trouble down the line