From what ive heard slow growers 1-2" per month some people have said their Jau is picky and others say they are garbage disposal they will get massive and aggresive no previous expirence just reading on this site and a few others but if u dont dont want him buy him and sell him to me im willing to pay $500 for him got a brand new 1200Gal aquarium that he would fit in very nicely or give me the number of the LFS hes at so i can call and maybe order me a couple myself if u dont mind... been lookin for 1 for a year now
I've had two of them. They get bigger and are meaner than a Phractocephalus hemioliopterus.
I bought my first one in 2001 from the Fish Place 141 Robinson Street in North Tonawanda NY 716-693-4411 (Ask for Tyler (Industrial on MFK) or Jake) for $30.More recently I have seen one in stock (possibly a different fish each time) every visit since February 2011. I don't recall the price but I believe they were selling in the $20 to $30 range.
I bought my second one from Pets Plus 421 West St Lockport NY 716-433-0460 (Ask for Ali, John or Fred) in Feb 2011 for $25 it was only 2 1/2" long. I did not notice any the last visit but they get fish in weekly.
They were called Paulicea lutkeni for many years prior to correctly now being called Zungaro Zungaro.
If calling the Fish Place and they have sold out ask if their wholesale department has some in stock. The store is on the main floor and they have a wholesale company (that owns the retail store) in the basement that retail customers can not visit.
I found the first fish one of the most brutal killers I have ever owned when kept in my small tanks (3066 litres - 810g or less). If you get one it should be OK for a while in your 1200 as neither of mine was a fast grower. I found the first one actually very peaceful when I placed it eventually in my big tank. When it died it was still quite small at a measured 41". The smaller one is still in grow up tanks and will probably go in my 56,700 litre -15,000 g when appropriate. I believe that it is possible that my big female Wallago leerii might have taken out the Zungaro so I will not place it in with her just to be safe.
Please remember that I am just telling you my experiences having owned only 2 of them. Individuals can all grow at different rates and have very different personalities.
