Want to get a RTC .. your personal experience

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

Fai

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 29, 2010
91
1
38
West Hills, CA
Hi,

I have been contemplating of adding a Red Tail Catfish to our aquarium for a few months now; nad have finally convinced wife on what an awesome addition it will be to the tank. I have been reading up on RTCs on web as well as on the forum; however wanted to get your personal experience when you started it out; the challenges you've faced and the solutions. One can read up as much online; but experience trumps.

My current set up is - 55G; 1 x 19' Silver Aro; 2 x 8' Red Blood Parrots, 1 x 10' Pleco, and 1 x 3' Gara; :nilly: these fish have out grown my tank and their new house a 300G is in staging.

I am thinking of getting the RTC into the 55G for a month; before the lot is transferred into the 300Gallon tank; which is going to be bare; no decorations. Current tank does not have decor either.

Please share your experience of RTC.

Thanks.
Fai
 
My advice is unless you can house a fully grown RTC, don't keep them.
I love RTCs too but I don't buy them since I only have a 280g tank.
 
It's a wonderful idea, but I would suggest getting the 300 gal going and CYCLED first and tranferring all your current stock in there and making sure everyone is back to normal and comfortable. Then getting the RTC. Putting a fish in one aquarium (for non-quarantine reasons) and then transferring into another, newly set up one, is not a good idea. I'd also heed what the guys above are saying. I have seen juvi 2' RTCs in 300 gal - it's already a bit too small. In 2 years, your RTC should hit 3'. By then, 300 gal will not be appropriate. So, if you get one now, you must think through and commit to upgrading the gallonage to about 1000 gal at the very least for a fully grown RTC.

Your 55 gal is most definitely overstocked by a vast majority of people's standards but, apparently, your filtration is superb and you must know what you are doing. So, go for it!

Bare tank is a great idea - I've lost too many RTCs who swallowed inedible and inpassible objects. All in all, RTC are unfussy (unless very very young but these should not be house with big tankmates like yours), easy to take care of. Typing a lecture on RTCs, debatably the most written about catfish, is not how most people wanna spend their time, IMHO, so I'd recommend asking concrete questions.
 
@ Alex - the monster tank is here and being staged. Currently it has been housing water for a month with 50 commet Goldfish to set it up with cycling process.

@ biggerthebetter - cool handle btw. The upgrade from 55G to 300G happened in 11 months; primarily led by the Aro growth; the 300 will suffice me for atleast 2 years I am assuming. Already have a large pond in the backyard (got lucky, the pond came with the house); currently it houses a 12 x Japanese Koi and wide variety of water Lilys; so am assuming within 2 years; I can move RTC if required to the already established pond.

I have been into fish keeping since I was a kid and would not get into something blind. I agree on the bare tank; though it lacks the appeal factor in deco; the monster fish more than compensate for it.

So specific questions I have -
1. LFS has a 2 inch RTC and a TSN; am keen on RTC; is the 3' Gara Ruffa at risk in the near future?
2. What about the Red Blpood Parrots?
3. Is the RTC at risk with the 19' Aro?
4. Current diet is a mix of Hikari pellets, feeders, at time Chicken for aro (yup she loves it and will gobble up 8 pieces in 1 sitting; not a big fan of beef heart though; too heavy for her stomach); so with 2' RTC, Hikari pellets will work? Any other food requirements I should be take into my plan

Thanks.
Fai
 
You didn't mention the pond! Go for it then. And make sure you post LOTS of pictures!!!!

1. I don't think the Gara Ruffa will be at risk for a long time, and by the time the RTC is 4' or 5', it probably won't be going after large fish like that. Could be wrong. But not for years will it even pose a problem. You have a 3' fish in a 55 gal? Get that 300 cycled fast!!!!!! Wait. do you mean 3 INCHES? As in 3"? I see the 19' aro now, must be 19". Okay so I will assume this is a 3" gara. Yes! at risk.

2. The blood parrots are most definitely at risk, but your RTC may outgrow the 55 before they can fit in his mouth. So you might be okay.

3. The RTC will try to eat the aro st some point most likely. It will be a while before he is big enough to do so. If the aro grows fast enough, it could be put off until the RTC goes in the pond.

4. The RTC will eat the pellets most likely, but he needs a variety of foods. I would throw in some shrimp or fresh fish to go along with the pellets. Worms are great treats too.
 
@ muffy - good catch yes it's inches for now .. hoping to get to feet :). I believe the Gara ruffss grow just about 4 inches at fulll lengght; so will have to find another home. Good thing a friend of mine needs to get rid of Father-in-laws fish tank ..

Aro loves the shrimps. goes through 1/2 bag of Costco tail-off shrimps in a month. We get to share the other half. :) Worms, have not tried that off late; last attmept was in Sept.10; Aro did not like it, the pleco sucked the worm dry lol .. which worms do you feed Pepper?

Will try on the pics.
 
How cold does the pond get in the winter? I would think that there are a few months where the temps would get too low for the RTC (average lows in Dec & Jan in West Hills = 38F...I'm guessing the water gets down into the 50s?). No offense, but it seems like you are trying to justify getting one before you are ready to properly care for it. It sounds like you already know this, but if you plan to keep it in an aquarium, a 300 gallon is too small (an RTC can grow to 4'). I am not a big fan of "planning to upgrade." As others have mentioned, get the big tank first, then get the fish. Again, I mean no disrespect, but I think you should avoid another situation where you have large fish crammed into a small tank (ie- 19" silver in a 55gallon).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom