Anyone have or had an albino asian red tail catfish?

Fishguy2727 · Post by **Fishguy2727** » 02 Mar 2009, 01:50

I had one years ago. I got it from a LFS that told me the species gets to about 2' but since this one was albino it would only get to 1', 15" tops. It was only about $8 or so. I had it for a while. I didn't take very good care of my fish back then. It lived out its stunted and short life in a 20long. It was a beautiful fish and I really liked it. It only ever got to about 8". I have not seen a second one ever. Anyone have or had one?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 02 Mar 2009, 11:15

There is no scientific evidence that Albino forms generally grow smaller than the normal colouration of the same species. Certainly my in albino form are growing to the same sizes as their natural siblings.

If it is , then it will grow a fair bit longer than 2' too - more than 3'+.

Obviously, keeping it in a small tank is going to negatively influence it's growth - mostly because its waste-products will cause the fish lack of apetite.

--
Mats

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 02 Mar 2009, 12:33

There are quite a few in shops in the UK at the moment - TWA in Birmingham have a 2.5" one. The wholesaler sent it in as an "albino pim" but with 8 barbels it is clearly not a pim! profile, head-shpe etc point it out as an abino asian RTC.

Fishguy2727 · Post by **Fishguy2727** » 02 Mar 2009, 15:45

I know. I have seen a few cases that seem to indicate that it is possibly a little easier to stunt albino animals, but far from any guarantee or even likelihood.

Yes, the same shop suckered me into two pacus and told me they wouldn't get bigger than the tank. Well I guess they didn't lie, they never got bigger than the length of the tank, but three months later I had two 9" pacus in a 29.

Yeah, I unknowingly stunted a number of fish before I really got my act together, no thanks to the LFSs.

Looking through the Genus it may have been an Asian river catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus). With multiple albino pics in the profile it seems like it may be more likely as well. Either way I would love to see one again.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 04 Mar 2009, 15:21

Temperament is as big an issue as size with this species, of course. You're looking at something with an attitude like the big momma in Alien II, with a bad case of rabies thrown in

.

I have seen albinos for sale here. Now if they were mild-mannered in comparison to wild type fish, that would be tempting. But somehow I doubt it.

Fishguy2727 · Post by **Fishguy2727** » 04 Mar 2009, 15:47

Mine had the typical attitude. It was by itself for a reason.

Anyone have or had an albino asian red tail catfish?

Anyone have or had an albino asian red tail catfish?

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