How big is too big?

Question

I've got an electric catfish in our 125 gallon tank at home. When we acquired him, he was about 3 inches long. He's getting up to about 10 inches long (and fat!).

It sounds like these things get up to 40 lbs, 2-3 feet long.

When do I have to think about getting him a new home?

........ maybe a bathtub is big enough? my wife would love that!

Answer 1

Ditto to Jon V, no 1" per gallon for this fish! At 40 lbs and 3 feet long, he should probably be ok in your 125, but would be better served in a tank wider from front to back. it would be best if the tank was at least 3' front to back and at least 6 feet long, 8 being even better. They aren't real active fish, but do need some swimming room.

and a bathtub would be WAY too small lol

MM

Answer 2

Ok as I am sure MM and some other of the top contributers are going to tell you, don't follow this one inch of fish rule, it is so over stated and you really have to know your stuff to apply that rule. Point in case being an Oscar at about 6-8 inches long, you need to keep that guy/girl in a 40-55 gallon tank by himself out of sheer waste production. There are some catfish yes that will grow to be 2 3 and sometimes even 4 ft long. A good example of this is the Irid Shark, which is actually a catfish and some of those in the wild I've seen pictures of them being well over 60 lbs and 4 ft long. I think it's wonderful that you are considering the long term situation here, a possibilty maybe a 180, 210 gallon tank? I don't know your budget or willingness to take that on either. If you don't feel you can keep up with the long term needs, find him/her a new home now BEFORE he gets too big for anyone to really want or take.

Answer 3

That is true and false. Keeping a fish that generally grows as big as 2-3 feet being kept in say a 55 gallon will stunt it's growth somewhat, but it's not just about that. You want to keep your fish feeling like they are in the wild, this will never completely happen, but keeping them in a tank with more than sufficient room will keep them happy, and is one step closer to making the tank seem more natural.

when he gets obviously too large for the tank, say 2 1/2 - 3 feet long you should look for a larger tank, like a 200 gallon or something. www.monsterfishkeepers.com ask there as well as here, that site is about monster sized fish and tanks, so they know alot about it. Good luck.

Answer 4

A bathtub is not much bigger than the 125, no? :-)

Before he gets there, maybe you should start thinking of a pond. Once the cat gets to that size, he is probably going to be happier on a pond environment, with some plants and feeder fish. :-)

Answer 5

I remember something I heard, and that is that fish wont outgrow their tank. I think it was when I was a child learning responsibility for owning a goldfish. Might not be the same for a Catfish. Check at the fish and pet store owner, in your area or surf the wild wild Web for some more answers.

Answer 6

LOL.

I think the bathtub is less than 125 gallons! hehe

You'll know when you need to buy a new tank.


ßübblëš

Answer 7

You have probably heard the "1 inch of fish per gallon" rule...
I'm pretty sure that your'e safe, as long as there are no other fish in the aquarium. =D

Answer 8

The general rule for fish is one inch of fish for every gallon you have. So use this to your advantage when you consider finding him a new home. For now he is a good size for that tank so you can leave him in there. Good luck.