Asian stinging catfish

kookiejar · Post by **kookiejar** » 25 Jun 2007, 22:01

Hi all,

Did a bit of research on Asian stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) and Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) and both look quite fascinating! Which is the more dangerous one out of the two? Also Oscars seem to be okay tankmates for these cats. What will be other probable tankmates?! I have a ghost knife and hybrid syno; will they be eaten?!
Lastly, the venom is a problem for the owner to handle..... is that a problem for the tankmates as well or the caution is because of their predatory behavior?!

Any firsthand and experienced info on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 26 Jun 2007, 16:16

I think H. fossilis would be more suitable despite the venom, because C. Batrachus can be very aggressive. However, I would suggest , an African clariid which is a bit smaller, peaceful and non-venomous.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 26 Jun 2007, 17:13

I don't second this suggestion as G typus is extremely fussy when it comes to waterparameters and waterquality
it can and does quickly develop a whole load of diseases and dies if the water isn't topnotch

Oscars are messy eaters, so a tank with Oscars can have widely varying waterquality.
not something that will be good for the health of G typus

IMO the fossilis is the way to go

You don't get sting when working in the tank or even (hand)feeding them. Heteropneustes isn't agressive and will not attack you.
people that get stung do so when handling or catching them with bare hands (local fishermen, ichthyologists), or maybe when stepping on them in the turbid shallows (locals).
aquarists don't get stung, unless they do stupid thingsa and get careless. just don't handle them, and if one jumps out of a bucket scoop it up with something else than a bare hand.

Occellatus · Post by **Occellatus** » 08 Aug 2007, 15:42

U might wanna comm your cats with an arowana? ;)