What is a chinese wels catfish?

[Kingdoffishcraft]

I've seen a few shops that offer Chinese wels catfish and was wondering what they were. The only information I found was about regular wels catfish and I would really love to know where they come from and some general difference to the regular wels catfish.

 

[tlindsey]

I've seen a few shops that offer Chinese wels catfish and was wondering what they were. The only information I found was about regular wels catfish and I would really love to know where they come from and some general difference to the regular wels catfish.

wednesday13
thebiggerthebetter
Fishman Dave

 

[wednesday13]

Night and day difference between the 2 IMO... first being size. Chinese wels are a fart in the wind compared to their jaw dropping cousin. Most do not exceed a mere 24”-30” in captivity. The larger ones we see are brought in that size also. They come from the Yangtze river in china although most are probably farm raised that are available to us in the hobby. Despite their smaller stature they are pretty territorial and in tolerant of tank mates where as the true wels are very mellow and placid fish. True wels are big babies and very personable. They do not eat nearly as much as the “media” makes them out too. As for the chinese, there not very personable or do much but can be housed “for life” in pretty standard “monster aquaria” 300-500gal. The rod n reel record is only around 50”. I owned both species before touching my toes for the state of ohio and quitting the hobby ?... O.P. If ud like a “gimmick” of the real mcoy and have atleast a standard 300gal i say go for it. Cats were always my fav. Species to keep ??. Price has been dropping on them as they become more available. The high price tag for the chinese is due to its size in captivity. “Tea cup” monster cat if u will... i used to buy reg wels for $45 back in 2012... the chinese used to fetch $600-800 a pop. Again, buy one haha... and enjoy it while u can... lotta media hype on these species and things are slipping through the cracks that will not help the case for this smaller/unharmful species.

 

[Kingdoffishcraft]

Thanks for the clarification! I really appreciate it and there might be a wels in my monster tank soon

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Please, for the sake of clarity, your safety and that of MFK, don't call it just a wels. It is not true, it is not a wels catfish, and in doing so, you are attracting unwanted attention from the government to your person, to fellow MFKers, and to the MFK in general, even though we are not breaking any laws here and not discussing how to circumvent the law. But wels is federally banned and the MFK is monitored. Rest assured the big brother is watching. Wednesday13 knows 1st hand. His door was kicked in by 7 armed rangers and his fish seized.

He still has the guts and the heart to overcome a great, great trauma and advise us all out of his vast knowledge. He grew the largest wels at the time in captivity reported to date on MFK.

The fish at hand is a Chinese wels aka Silurus meridionalis, not just wels aka Silurus glanis.

vincentwugwg might be able to add something.

Thank you Wed13, great, 1sthand experience based summary. Expert level.

...

Please, everyone, heed this if you find it reasonable. Don't be lazy and/or ignorant and type CHINESE WELS! Because it is.

 

[Krismo962]

Wednesday13 knows 1st hand. His door was kicked in by 7 armed rangers and his fish seized.

Wow that story deserves it's own thread , wednesday13 were your fish destroyed or were they handed back to you?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Wow that story deserves it's own thread , wednesday13 were your fish destroyed or were they handed back to you?

I am sure he doesnt want to relive it again and again. Of course you didn't know it but he had said what happened multiple times in the past on MFK. They took his 4.5' wels and killed it off site. Killed his spirit in the process too. He is slowly gaining some psyche health to creep back. Let's let him be.

Russ, bro, I am sorry if what I brought back hurt you again. My fault.

 

[Krismo962]

I'm sorry didn't mean to open old wounds , I would've deleted my post if I could.

 

[Kingdoffishcraft]

Please, for the sake of clarity, your safety and that of MFK, don't call it just a wels. It is not true, it is not a wels catfish, and in doing so, you are attracting unwanted attention from the government to your person, to fellow MFKers, and to the MFK in general, even though we are not breaking any laws here and not discussing how to circumvent the law. But wels is federally banned and the MFK is monitored. Rest assured the big brother is watching. Wednesday13 knows 1st hand. His door was kicked in by 7 armed rangers and his fish seized.

He still has the guts and the heart to overcome a great, great trauma and advise us all out of his vast knowledge. He grew the largest wels at the time in captivity reported to date on MFK.

The fish at hand is a Chinese wels aka Silurus meridionalis, not just wels aka Silurus glanis.

vincentwugwg might be able to add something.

Thank you Wed13, great, 1sthand experience based summary. Expert level.

...

Please, everyone, heed this if you find it reasonable. Don't be lazy and/or ignorant and type CHINESE WELS! Because it is.

Thanks for the clarification and information! I'll see if it's illegal in my area!

 

[wednesday13]

I am sure he doesnt want to relive it again and again. Of course you didn't know it but he had said what happened multiple times in the past on MFK. They took his 4.5' wels and killed it off site. Killed his spirit in the process too. He is slowly gaining some psyche health to creep back. Let's let him be.

Russ, bro, I am sorry if what I brought back hurt you again. My fault.

All good my friend... no fish in house here anymore... no more worry ??‍... can only move forward as always ??. Appreciate ya carryin the torch and helping spread the word for people to be overly careful these days.