What's the longest amount of time.....

[keepinfish]

[YT]pEJRzrvzSA8[/YT]

My first armatus was about 8" and i had him to about 17" 1-1/2 YEAR LATER and he freaked after a water change, i think i spooked him after doing cleaning algae from the glass. His eye clouded up and swelled up huge. He dies a couple of weeks later. He was fed frozen from the first day i got him.

My second one did not last even that long. not sure if my tig spooked him but he smashed the glass and dies a few days later.

 

[Chefken]

Does most of this thread apply to Tats as well?? I have had no issues at all with my larger tat.....The smaller got ich and i believe it is cured.

 

[West1]

Lots to read here and not enough time.

I had a 2" from IA's 2nd to last batch. Was in a 10gl till he was about 5". Then to a 50gl till about 9" and off to the 300 till he was 16.5". I kept him for I believe 9 months. Feeders till he was about 10-11" and got him on Shrimp, tilapia and krill.
If I remember right, PH was around 8
Temp was up and down by Season from 78-88*
Lots of Aeration
Weekly 50% water changes with 1 cap of prime per 50glns
Amonia/Nitrite etc... dont remember but im sure it was low to none.
Light was on for only about 4-5 hours a day
Fed 1-2 times a day (all you can eat buffet)
Died at 16.5" due to shipping to NJ from Cali (I still kick myself for this)

Last IA batch, I got 5pcs. hand picked the runts of the batch (I think runts of species tend to have better colors and are more of a show piece in most species atleast). All were 5" or so
1 Died for no known reason
started in a 50gl together on live
temp was about 83*
gor tired of them and sold them around 7"
2 are still alive, eating shrimp and around 15" was the last I heard (other 2 I have no info on)

I agree that DB is on to something

 

[mynheers_a_pint]

Does most of this thread apply to Tats as well?? I have had no issues at all with my larger tat.....The smaller got ich and i believe it is cured.

I ddn't have a problem as long as they were at the top of the pecking order. As soon as I added the Curupira, the balance was lost and it became skittish. Three months later and the Curupira had chomped it... 12" fish, gone.

My Tat grew up in a largeish tank and seemed to respond well to growing into a tank. I think there may be something to be learned from keeping Gars in that if you give them too much space to run, they do the most damage. Perhaps growing them out in a slightly smaller tank (Feels odd to say that) then slowly upgrade to give them the extra space? It's only an idea but it seems to work with the gar owners' threads I've read.

Actually, someone might have tried this?

 

[daimion]

1.Tank Size: 120 gal.
2.Temp: unknown
3.PH: unknown
4.Tankmates: Only his feeder fishes.
5.Other notable Tank conditions: Completely barren except for 2 filters.
6.Initial Specimen Size: about 3-inches
7.Size Specimen Died at: Still Living

I know I'm not exactly very detailed in the parameters. I've had him since August 2010, so had him for 6 months now.

Started him off in a 2-ft tank, which I kept in the far side of the room and on the floor. Less chances of him getting spooked. The first tank I had some plastic plants in, which I thought would've been good for him to hide around. This didn't turn out to be so good though. Cos all his feeder fishes would hide among them and he'd scratch himself against the plastic leaves getting to them.

3 months later, I moved him into the 4ft tank. I left it completely empty, except for 2 filters on either side, low in the tank, and hooked up to a powered aerator. (I'll try to get pictures up).

WATER CHANGES: When I first moved him to the 4ft tank, I kept changing a bucket of water everyday. Also gave me a chance to suck up the droppings at the bottom of the tank. Every Saturday, I'd change 50% of the water. I've never kept track of the water pH, temp or any chemical levels. I've just used normal tap water with a conditioner. I guess being in Singapore, the water's already at the temp he's used to.

FOOD: I've always fed him live and intend to keep to that. If I remember correctly, the first ones were Black Neon Tetras, and then moved on to Columbian and Buenos Aires Tetras (figured same region should be safe). Now he's onto Silver Sharks and Tin Foil Barbs. Though someone's told me that Tin Foil Barbs are the same as goldfishes and so not a good choice. He really seems to take quite well to the Silver Sharks. Even when I kept him together with a variety of fishes, they were the first to go. Could also be that they are easier to catch. I also never let him reach the point of starvation. His tank's always got feeder fishes. When it gets down to about 4, I go get more.

OTHER: I never use any other chemicals - like nitrate removers, or algae cleaners. During the day when I'm at the office, the curtains are drawn so my room remains a dusky color. Plus my doors are locked, so no one else goes into my room when I'm not around to spook him.

I'll keep this updated with any changes I make to my routine.

 

[daimion]

3 months later, I moved him into the 4ft tank. I left it completely empty, except for 2 filters on either side, low in the tank, and hooked up to a powered aerator. (I'll try to get pictures up).

Well here's a pic of my tank. As said it's completely barren apart from the filters.

Sorry about the poor quality. I used my phone to take the picture, so it can be transferred easier.

 

[koltsixx]

Wow, even mine grew about 2-3 inches in the short time I had them. Then again, my tank was always about 87 Farenheit.

I've heard that in general they grow fast though I read some threads that stated they had them grow slowly. I just figure it's dependent on the keeper. Like I said they get fed on my snakes schedule so it's not even every other day all the time. I finally got them off live, though I still live due to the fact it's been stated a couple of times by a couple of keepers that they seem to die when they get them off live. So I'm covering my bases.

I had the best luck with my first Armatus. Got to 14-16" before checking out after a Dat fight. Ate live up to about 8-9". 2nd and 3rd batches were off live by like 4-5 and died between 10-12. Most from the "characin stuppor"

Funny thing is my Rhaph lived side by side with every batch, eating the same food. That thing made it just shy of 5 years.

It's funny I never see pics of decent sized Raph's I had 2 and when they got to around 8 inches I mixed them with the Armati and they both got shanked badly within an hour. They didn't make it. Also though it seems not many people keep them I've never heard anyone mention sudden death with them or Tat's. I really hope they make it to at least 20 inches, they have to look seriously bad ass at those sizes. Must of looked sweet at 14-16 inches too.

I have had 7 armatus in the past 2 years.

First batch, 3 Armatus around 8-9". Acquired them in Dec of 08.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216230

Kept them in 120 (4x2), sold 2 in the first 3-4 months. Kept the last one until about 12" and traded him around October 09.

Their diet consist of krill, shrimp and smelt. The last one was taking massivore before I traded it for an AUL (aussie lungfish).

Second Batch; I wanted to start a shoal, so in August of 09 I bought 4 of Infinite Aquatics batch. They came in around 2-3", I stick them in a 75 gallon tank for grow out

Fed them QT'ed feeders until they get around 6-7" before I tried the starving method.

I lost the first one around Nov of 09. It was the smallest one and he was alienated from the rest of the pack. Started to swim funny and eventually died. They were still on feeders (rosies and small goldfish)

Shorty after that, I started the starving method. One ate shrimp pretty much right away, the other will only eat nightcrawlers and the last only take feeders. After about 2 months, all three started to take smelt, shrimp and krill.

I lost the 2nd one in May 2010. They got to around 9-10" (they started to grow VERY fast once they're off feeders). He was bullied by the african aro, when I was away fro 2-3 days for the weekend.

I pulled the afro aro and kept the last two.

Fast forward to present, They're about 14" now, the larger one grows taller than the smaller one.

Their diet consist of; smelt and shrimp. Those two can eat about 5-6 large smelts (4" ) per feeding. I feed them every other day.

Tankmates: Tigrinus, gulper, leo and hystrix.

Filtration: Eheim 2262, Eheim 2217 and drip system (15 gallons of freshwater drip per day)

No heater, I don't run heater on any of my tanks. House stays around 70-74 degrees. Tanks stays around 76-77 degrees.

PH: 7.0 constant with drip system

Lights on 8 hours a day

Unpainted glass on all 4 sides and bottom.

They're still in the original 75 gallon they grew up in LOL. I am scared to move them to the 540. I am waiting to move 3 more datnoids and introduced the larger fei feng (in another tank) to the 540 so that the dats will get familiarized(sp) with characins.

They get along fine, I see the larger one occasionally charging against the smaller one. I'd like to think it's a territotial thing, but we'll see once they move to the 540 (10 feet long x 3 feet wide)

[YT]KU9qvV70UhM[/YT]

Your obviously a dedicated pet keeper and I appreciate all the info you gave. I can't wait till you post up pics/vid of the 540 with them in it. It also help's since you got them off live and they seem to be all right. So even though it still leaves the mystery up in the air it help's to see both sides of the live feed theory.

My first armatus was about 8" and i had him to about 17" 1-1/2 YEAR LATER and he freaked after a water change, i think i spooked him after doing cleaning algae from the glass. His eye clouded up and swelled up huge. He dies a couple of weeks later. He was fed frozen from the first day i got him.

My second one did not last even that long. not sure if my tig spooked him but he smashed the glass and dies a few days later.

Thanx for the info. still it would of helped if we knew his diet/tankmates and water parameter's.

Does most of this thread apply to Tats as well?? I have had no issues at all with my larger tat.....The smaller got ich and i believe it is cured.

I've never heard anyone mention sudden death with Tat's. Basically it's the Armartus and Scomberoides that seem to be afflicted with this phenomenon.

Lots to read here and not enough time.

I had a 2" from IA's 2nd to last batch. Was in a 10gl till he was about 5". Then to a 50gl till about 9" and off to the 300 till he was 16.5". I kept him for I believe 9 months. Feeders till he was about 10-11" and got him on Shrimp, tilapia and krill.
If I remember right, PH was around 8
Temp was up and down by Season from 78-88*
Lots of Aeration
Weekly 50% water changes with 1 cap of prime per 50glns
Amonia/Nitrite etc... dont remember but im sure it was low to none.
Light was on for only about 4-5 hours a day
Fed 1-2 times a day (all you can eat buffet)
Died at 16.5" due to shipping to NJ from Cali (I still kick myself for this)

Last IA batch, I got 5pcs. hand picked the runts of the batch (I think runts of species tend to have better colors and are more of a show piece in most species atleast). All were 5" or so
1 Died for no known reason
started in a 50gl together on live
temp was about 83*
gor tired of them and sold them around 7"
2 are still alive, eating shrimp and around 15" was the last I heard (other 2 I have no info on)

I agree that DB is on to something

I can't remember on what thread on here, but I remember someone using RO on their tank with their Armarti and still suffered the same thing sudden death for no apparent reason. If I remember correctly the poster used RO because of the poor quality of his local water and went through alot to get his tank water in perfect condition. So I'm not convinced it's the water quality. Still I'm at the year mark so if I keep them another year I'll be one of the people to keep them past 1 and 1/2 years. Really hopin that I can keep them long term, I'd like to make at least 5 years with them. Thanx for all the info. hopefully with more like this maybe things will change.

I ddn't have a problem as long as they were at the top of the pecking order. As soon as I added the Curupira, the balance was lost and it became skittish. Three months later and the Curupira had chomped it... 12" fish, gone.

My Tat grew up in a largeish tank and seemed to respond well to growing into a tank. I think there may be something to be learned from keeping Gars in that if you give them too much space to run, they do the most damage. Perhaps growing them out in a slightly smaller tank (Feels odd to say that) then slowly upgrade to give them the extra space? It's only an idea but it seems to work with the gar owners' threads I've read.

Actually, someone might have tried this?

That sux I was hoping to try a wolf mix with theses guys. A tank with all those badass teeth would look wicked. I think that makes 3 people who are for small tanks until the Armartus get's more confidence and size on them. So maybe there's something to that theory at least as far as the spooking thing goes.

1.Tank Size: 120 gal.
2.Temp: unknown
3.PH: unknown
4.Tankmates: Only his feeder fishes.
5.Other notable Tank conditions: Completely barren except for 2 filters.
6.Initial Specimen Size: about 3-inches
7.Size Specimen Died at: Still Living

I know I'm not exactly very detailed in the parameters. I've had him since August 2010, so had him for 6 months now.

Started him off in a 2-ft tank, which I kept in the far side of the room and on the floor. Less chances of him getting spooked. The first tank I had some plastic plants in, which I thought would've been good for him to hide around. This didn't turn out to be so good though. Cos all his feeder fishes would hide among them and he'd scratch himself against the plastic leaves getting to them.

3 months later, I moved him into the 4ft tank. I left it completely empty, except for 2 filters on either side, low in the tank, and hooked up to a powered aerator. (I'll try to get pictures up).

WATER CHANGES: When I first moved him to the 4ft tank, I kept changing a bucket of water everyday. Also gave me a chance to suck up the droppings at the bottom of the tank. Every Saturday, I'd change 50% of the water. I've never kept track of the water pH, temp or any chemical levels. I've just used normal tap water with a conditioner. I guess being in Singapore, the water's already at the temp he's used to.

FOOD: I've always fed him live and intend to keep to that. If I remember correctly, the first ones were Black Neon Tetras, and then moved on to Columbian and Buenos Aires Tetras (figured same region should be safe). Now he's onto Silver Sharks and Tin Foil Barbs. Though someone's told me that Tin Foil Barbs are the same as goldfishes and so not a good choice. He really seems to take quite well to the Silver Sharks. Even when I kept him together with a variety of fishes, they were the first to go. Could also be that they are easier to catch. I also never let him reach the point of starvation. His tank's always got feeder fishes. When it gets down to about 4, I go get more.

OTHER: I never use any other chemicals - like nitrate removers, or algae cleaners. During the day when I'm at the office, the curtains are drawn so my room remains a dusky color. Plus my doors are locked, so no one else goes into my room when I'm not around to spook him.

I'll keep this updated with any changes I make to my routine.

Thanx for the info and keepin the thread going. Though I think you should really pay better attention to your water parameter's. If nothing else so you can help other's replicate them if your successful in keeping them. Though I may not be as dedicated as some of the other's on here I do think water parameter's should be monitored. I regularly check mine.

I still have hope for this thread, hopefully more people will volunteer their experience's whether their good or bad experiences. I'll offer a recent development as far as my experience goes to keep it going. Recently I managed to get to take thing's other than live.Though it's been stated to many times about how it seems to lead to their early demise for me to ignore it. I now feed them half the time quarantined feeder's and the other half frozen foods. They eat a mix of krill, shrimp and frozen rat pup's. Logically I just figured it would be better at holding them over those days they don't eat. I figured they'll digest the pups slower and it adds variety to their diet. Rat pups are high in protein and may have some nutrient that is missing in the other food other's tried like smelt, krill......etc. Anyone have a opinion on feeding them rat pups???? Has anyone else tried rat pup's before???

 

[koltsixx]

Still have hope for this thread so I'm trying to bump it to the top. Anyone else want to share their success or lack there of with Armarti. Trying to get as much helpful info. as possible here.

 

[rnbanjao]

i had 4 from IA's last batch.. one got freak out and jump out of the tank.. so 3 left at 14-15".. tank size 210 g with 1 orino, 1 18" jardini, 3 datnoids, 2 florida gars and some polypterus species.. feeding them tilapia fillet, smelt, and shrimp.. alternating everyday... tank seems healthy so far... water change every 1-2 weeks.. running trickle filter sump with approximately over 2000 g/hr turnover rate..., no major concers on health issue so far..

 

[Anderman]

I have had mine since Aug/2009