ID my new catfish

marcel61 · Post by **marcel61** » 07 Jan 2014, 04:55

Hello,

I just bought this catfish 3 days ago but the petshop didn't have the name available. I looked in this database but I wasn't able to find a match. If somebody can help ID it would be awesome.

Thanks.

Post by **Silurus** » 07 Jan 2014, 05:12

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 07 Jan 2014, 13:29

That's gonna be a big nasty catfish!

jp11biod · Post by **jp11biod** » 07 Jan 2014, 14:34

please do not release it into the wild when it gets too big

Viktor Jarikov · Post by **Viktor Jarikov** » 07 Jan 2014, 20:45

Welcome to the Planet, friend! Nice catfish. Read up on it, please, as much as you can.

It will get very aggressive long before it will reach its full size of ~3'-3.5'. Usually keepers find it impossible to have any tank mates with this fish in an average tank after it reaches ~1'.

Do you keep large fish? Tell us a bit about yourself and your hobby, if you will.

Redtailrob · Post by **Redtailrob** » 08 Jan 2014, 10:57

Viktor is spot on. These are magnificent fish albeit one that gets Huge & very aggressive. Several aquarists myself included would rate this fish as one of the most aggressive fish in captivity

marcel61 · Post by **marcel61** » 08 Jan 2014, 13:30

Thank you all for your response.

WOW, maybe that's why they didn't have it labeled in the petshop, somebody like me would buy it without knowing what is there

Well then my concern would be that I have in the tank:
2 swordtail
2 bala sharks
2 mystic sharks
2 columbian sharks
2 spotted rafaelo
1 stripped rafaelo
1 giant catfish (irwini rafaelo)
2 opaline gourami
1 gold gourami

Is this new catfish be a threat for any of this fish listed? I have a 46 gallon tank.

Thanks again people!

jimoo · Post by **jimoo** » 08 Jan 2014, 13:35

Given time and size, the new catfish will kill and/or eat all of those, with the other catfish perhaps being last.

Sooner than probably later.

I would return the new fish.

Viktor Jarikov · Post by **Viktor Jarikov** » 08 Jan 2014, 14:00

jimoo wrote:I would return the new fish.

This appears as the most prudent thing to do. Keep in mind, we are not here to tell you what to do.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 08 Jan 2014, 16:05

For a 46 gallon tank it's not a great mix of fish

The Colombian sharks need increasing salt levels as they grow & will eat smaller fish.
Bala sharks get big & can be skittish.
The irwini cat gets to 2 foot long

marcel61 · Post by **marcel61** » 09 Jan 2014, 01:30

Thanks Richard B...

I'm planning to get a 55 or 60 galon tank soon. The irwini is a foot long and I have it since 2006. Also have a spotted rafaelo that is older than my 10 year old girl, it has 14 years and is strong as hell.....

Today both columbian sharks died, they lasted 4 days so probably they were sick or my tank didn't have the salt required.

I'm really pleased with this site/forum.....thanks guys!

Hope to send some pictures of my other catfishes soon

jimoo · Post by **jimoo** » 09 Jan 2014, 13:58

I am no expert like the people here, but a one foot fish in a 60 gallon is less than ideal. Quite a bit less.

Viktor Jarikov · Post by **Viktor Jarikov** » 09 Jan 2014, 13:59

I am interested to see your irwini. IME, a small fraction of them indeed grow very slowly, 2-3 times slower, while most attain ~1' in the first year or so and ~2' in 3-5 years. All of it under proper housing and care.

I think it is also possible yours is not an irwini or is stunted.

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