want to add some new fish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Jimster82

Jimster82

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2016
9
1
3
43
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
I have a 125 gallon tank set up with a redtail cat, bichir, and a fire eel. The redtail will be moving to a much bigger tank, and was wanting some ideas of what other carnivorous fish I could put in with the fire eel and bichir?

I've only had the redtail since this past December, and when I got him he was only about inch and a half, and now he's roughly 13"!! They get big quick, and are beautiful fish! I have a 400 gallon tank to move him to. Hopefully that will handle him for awhile!
 
Nope I had a 500 gallon they will outgrow it in a year. Best is to get a swimming pool for the rtc. Mine was 3 feet and the other 4 feet. Feeding these guys got expensive too. I made the mistake of getting one.


You can virtually put any cichlid in that tank and you'll be fine without the cat in there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimster82
Ihsnshaik said:
Nope I had a 500 gallon they will outgrow it in a year. Best is to get a swimming pool for the rtc. Mine was 3 feet and the other 4 feet. Feeding these guys got expensive too. I made the mistake of getting one.


You can virtually put any cichlid in that tank and you'll be fine without the cat in there.
Click to expand...

When he out grows it I'll probably have to mount it! What a beautiful fish!

I do have a pike cichlid and red devil in another tank I could move.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimster82
Rule of thumb for our giant wet pets is max length of fish x4 for length of tank and max length of fish x2 for width. Height is dependent on the species you keep so with an RTC 2.5ft would be ok and 4ft would be plenty. To your question regarding the 125g, when he hits 12 inches it will be time for a new home. You can "control" their growth if you avoid power feeding. If you feed a healthy and varied diet you can feed every other day. I made the mistake of treating mine like an Oscar and fed it three times a day every day except Sunday. Lil 3inch bugger hit a foot in a month. Moved him to a "pond" in my garage and he hit 24 inches a few months later. He was also eating A LOT of the menu at my local fish market. Back then I lived 15 minutes from the coast and could get his meals pretty cheap. I now live in the mid-west and the grocery bill for him can match the family bill sometimes. Give them a healthy home and they'll eat it! Lol. Pools or ponds are simple and cheap but keeping them heated and filtered can eat your wallet whole. Search the forum for plywood tanks. They are your cheapest option as far as gallon per dollar and are very simple to construct. If you're handy with a welder, wood, or fiberglass the world can be yours. If not, you will be making a mount sooner than you think. Good luck! Keep asking questions. Someone will fire back or point you in the right direction.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimster82
I just want to clarify, are you saying that the RTC grew nearly a foot in three months?

If so, wow, that is a crazy growth rate!

As far as keeping it long term, I have seen a lot of people talk about it being too big for the aquarium trade, with the exception of a few aquarists that have the capability to build and maintain a large heated pond. I have several sources state that they are supposed to hit 4-5' (yes feet) long. If you go by the ratios that are mentioned above, you will eventually need a tank about 10' wide by 20' long (and probably at least 10' high) to keep it.

I am with you and I absolutely love that fish and wish I could have one but I don't see anyway I could provide for it they way it should be cared for. I even thought that I might pick one up when I saw it in the pet store at just 1-2" long (it looked even cuter then, lol) and just keep it for a few years, until it finally outgrew my tank. I am glad I didn't try after hearing about their crazy growth rates.

I am not trying to discourage you, especially if you have the means to keep this fish, but if you do not then I would recommend trying to find an aquarium or somebody to donate it to.

Best of luck and I really hope you are able to keep it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimster82
Unless you live in the tropics where you can keep them in unheated outdoor ponds very, very few will be able to keep them more than a year or two.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimster82
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom