to RTC or not to RTC

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Chago09;662684; said:
what is a RTC lol I read the whole thread hoping someone would call it by actual name lol what does RTC stand for

Sorry man, It's a south american Red Tail Catfish. Huge beautiful catfish. A lot of people think they shouldn't be in the hobby. If I didn't love them so much, I'd probably agree.
 
Chago09;662684; said:
what is a RTC lol I read the whole thread hoping someone would call it by actual name lol what does RTC stand for

It stands for redtail catfish, they get huge as you probably read. But IMO they're a great fish, I've got a baby one right now.

Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, Peruvian name: Pez Torre. Size: to five feet and 170 lbs; averages 10-50 lbs. Habitat: rivers and oxbows Another popular aquarium fish, the Red-tail Cat is common and a frequent catch. Larger specimens tend to stay deep, but the younger fish will hit bait and lures, even near the surface. If you're used to catching catfish in the US, better brace yourself for these guys....you'll think you've hooked a Christmas tree when you see their colors.

Redtail.jpg
 
I personally have no love for them but up to you..
 
stotty;662717; said:
I have a love for big cats but take a look at this before you do it and see what you’re getting into I say good on you if you do it but you must know what can happen.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=654830#post654830

yeah, um, in leu of those 3 pictures oddball posted in thread above, I'll probably not get it. The CK and aro are the other 2 favorites, and seeing an rtc as big or smaller than the fish it consumed which happen to be the same two fish this guy would be living with, I think I'll pass.

I knew they were predatory, and pretty predatory at that. I didn't realize they ate fish that are bigger than they are. Thanks for the info.
 
i'd do it wizzin. im gonna try to grow one out in my 400 with my aros n such... along with a tsn as well. so far its an awesome fish. id grow it out myself tho n never feed it live, maybe it wont see tankmates as food. only shrimp n whatever else i feed it since im starting it as a baby.
 
I'd rather have other fish in the tank. When you have a RTC, someday that's all you'll have. Especially in a tank that's big enough for it to get huge. It's possible you might find a sweeter one. But it's unlikely. RTCs are the top. The killer of killers.

Stock that tank with Os and EBJDs and Managuase and start a colony of convicts up. A Red Terror or two. A Black Arrow or two. An ugly ass Pleco or two people returned to the LSF.

You can have color and interest and action and aggressive feeding. Or an RTC.
 
i dissagree. at seaworld they have rtc with silver dollars... and fei fengs... and baby arapaimas and baby alligator gars. tsn's n fw stingrays.. its not impossible to have tankmates with n rtc, especially if he's had tankmates his whole life. yes it could be a gamble, but a great one cuz rtc look awesome when full grown.
 
I think they are a very cool looking fish, though one would not be for me...
 
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