Banjo Cats

newt0524 · Post by **newt0524** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:53

Hello all

I am pretty sure a post on Banjos should go in this section, but correct me if I am wrong.

anyways, i am looking for a banjo catfish and am having some difficulty. Does anyone know if these guys are rare or illegal in Canada? Also, what is a fair price for an adult to sub-adult? and finally, i have noticed that different species grow to different sizes, but which grow to the larger size (between 20-30cm)?

any help is greatly appriciated
thanks
newt

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 25 Mar 2007, 17:24

Your question is in the right section.
I doubt that these are illegal in Canada, for they will not survive in your waters. Can't tell you if they're rare overthere, nor what they should cost.
grows to about 32 cms. Any other species can be found in the Cat-eLog under Aspredinidae, although I doubt that many will grow large enough for you. Have a look.

RoseFishWatcher · Post by **RoseFishWatcher** » 25 Mar 2007, 18:38

I know I'm not in Canada, so I'm not entirely sure how relevant this is. I paid about $4 for my banjos. This is the same price as the average cory around here. They were small sized.

I'm not certain what kind of banjos they are. They've grown but are still relatively small fish. I guess they're not terribly rare here because one lfs almost always has a few in their shop, and another one periodically.

Good luck in finding some. I think they're amazing fish.

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 25 Mar 2007, 18:44

$4 to 5 dollars US is a normal price. They aren't rare or regulated. Just not part of many shops routine inventory. Your shop should be able to get you some.

Post by **Birger** » 25 Mar 2007, 20:09

I see them out west here quite often usually in the roughly 8-12 dollar range.

Birger

newt0524 · Post by **newt0524** » 25 Mar 2007, 22:04

hey all

thanks for the tips. ill keep looking and talk to some of the lfs owners around toronto.

thanks again
newt

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Mar 2007, 11:46

Here is a List of all "Aspredinidae" listed by size (How to do this yourself: Go to Cat-eLog, Search and select the family, optionally genus and select Order by "size").

I think one reason they are less common is that they are not exactly the most visible fish in a stock-tank (unless it's completley unsuitable for these fish - they tend to dig themselves into the substrate!).

--
Mats

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 28 Mar 2007, 11:36

I see my banjos every feeding time. I have potted plants, driftwood and a thin layer of gravel to conceal the bare bottom.

They none-the-less attempt to bury themselves but usually settle for concealment under the driftwood.

What is most impressive is just how much they can stuff into their gut. They must be able to swallow their own weight in live blackworms if allowed!

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 28 Mar 2007, 20:39

Bunocephalus coracoideus are a lot of fun, too(usually the easiest to find around here). The females look like they've swallowed a golf ball. I've seen both males and females stand on caudal fin, like this:

for the love of a small pond snail. Wacky bunch.

They become quite animated at night.

Amanda