Pangasius hypophthalmus questions

brianfl · Post by **brianfl** » 08 Jul 2003, 02:55

I have had a pangasius cat since Feb. He was about an inch when I bought him and is now about 5". Is that standard growth? He is currently in a 120 gallon with 3 balas and some clowns. The pangasius and the balas will be moving to an outdoor pond in the next few weeks. He has grown slower than the balas and I was wondering if this is normal. Also, he eats almost exclusively from the bottom, nothing from the top. Once in a while, he will grab a bloodworm while swimming, but mostly feeds from the bottom and almost all of his feeding is done at night. Is this strange? Everything else seems natural, he swims constantly back and forth. He definitely likes the powerhead in the tank. He doesn't get freaked out very often, occasionally but it is rare. He seems pretty mellow and happy most of the time. When I clean it doesn't bother him at all, he just swims past my hand. The only thing that seems to bug him is when a door slams. He does get a little crazy if the power head goes off, though

Any feedback would be great!

Post by **Silurus** » 08 Jul 2003, 04:09

Everything you describe sounds about right, though the Pangasius (actually, it should be Pangasianodon) will probably become more skittish with age. Despite their body shape, pangasiids are primarily bottom feeders and like almost all catfishes, active at night.

brianfl · Post by **brianfl** » 08 Jul 2003, 13:04

Thanks for the confirmation. I had read in several posts that they grab food from the top. I have always had other bottom feeders in with him so there was food available down there. It does look natural at night as I watch them a lot with only a faint light on. He does spend a lot of time going from bottom to top. The pond he is going in is 11 x16 so that should suit him much better than the 120 he is in now. Also, I was a little surprised at his slower growth rate. I also have a common plec and a Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps and a labeo chrysophekadion and they have gotten really big quick.

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 08 Jul 2003, 19:49

brianfl wrote:I also have a common plec and a Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps and a labeo chrysophekadion and they have gotten really big quick.

Watch out for the Black Shark, I have it on very good authority that big ones of this fish get very evil.

brianfl · Post by **brianfl** » 09 Jul 2003, 13:06

I will keep an eye on the black shark of course. I have had them before and they haven't been bad except to their own kind. Having them outside in a pond I think will deter some of the aggression. Other pests are really a larger worry. I haven't seen any although the pond is still pretty new. Time will tell

brianfl · Post by **brianfl** » 22 Aug 2003, 14:51

What food would that be? He eats everything from the bottom, just nothing from the surface.