tank size for a rtc

[necrocanis]

I'd say that some rtc are very inactive, but I have seen adult rtc that were 39" and 32" kept in a 250 gal and all they did was swim. They had broken fin spines, and sores all over their bodies and were pushing it to be able to turn around. They were in that tank for at least 15 years, and they were very rough looking indeed. Nice and fat, but completely worn out. After that I could never keep an adult in less than 750-1000 gal. That's why my guy will go from my 90 gal right now to my 1000 gal next week.

 

[exupru]

i will have to agree with the 1000 gallon if you can afford it but a 400 gallon minimum. i have a 400 gallon rigid plastic 6.5ft x 4.5 x 2.5 and i now think that is too small for my 32 inch red tail am now planning a outdoor pond 3000 gallon minimum should keep him happy .

 

[plausible]

my grandma once had an rtc in a 100gal square pond he was fed stingray fillet and market prawn once each day on alternate days.and in 2years time he reached 4ft;ength and about 1.5ft dia or something around there .and we have no idea how to move it at that time.in the end it was given to someone who can house that big monster.i haveno idea how they moved that big guy maybe they had big strong muscle power?
its strange huh.

 

[TLkmDN]

lets put it this way, the BIGGER the better. they arnt called the emperors of the amazon for nothing. but as a bare minimum i would have at least a 12 ft by 6 ft space in order to keep a fully grown 4-5 ft specimen for 2o yrs ++ i still feel bad putting my fish in the 18 foot pond but thats just how it is man. its not the wild so we have to do the best we possibly can.

 

[brent_posada]

I have my RTC in a 30 gal with 3 cichlids and two pleco's. But wiat, before you all crucify me, I am prepping my 70 gal for it to move into. besides, he is really lazy and is barely 2 inches long.

 

[TheFishGuy]

All I've got to say is WOW.... My 14' 800 is not big enough for life.

Please visit my site and read the featured article on the home page about Frankie the RTC. I'm no tree hugging dirt worshipper, I'm a realist. And you can't keep a cat that grows that large in an 8' tank.

I'm not a big fan of ponds, but if you really want a RTC then invest in an indoor pond made of plastic. IE.... 2000 gallon stock tank.

And to those of you who say they don't like to swim around.... You obviously have never kept a RTC in the appropriate tank... Frankie is VERY active and interactive.

In my complete and honest opinion South American Redtail Cats should not be sold. PERIOD. It pains me to say that simply because I love them, but have always been smart enough never to own one.