Question to German catfish lovers about Nordrhein-Westfalen

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 15 Feb 2006, 18:17

Hello,
I'm planning a visit to Raubwelse.de shortly.
However, there's always a possibility that this gets cancelled, and if so I will visit some shops in NRW.
Problem is: where are they? Can't find information on the internet. There must be some LFS-ses (Aquaristik Laden) in Bonn, KÃ¶ln or DÃ¼sseldorf?? I'm specifically looking for Auchenipteridae.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 21 Feb 2006, 18:26

You may stop worrying as the whole German thing has become academic. Due to a lack of replies, I'll change my course and will visit Belgium instead.
If I had the time and the money I would surely go to Japan (Aquashop True among others); until then I hope I can find some nice fish in Brasschaat, Antwerp & Brussels

harsmann · Post by **harsmann** » 21 Feb 2006, 21:51

Hi,

Unfortunately I didn't see you post until today, but in case you come by NRW another time, I think Zoo Zajac in Duisburg (30 minutes drive north of DÃ¼sseldorf) is worth a visit. They claim to be "Das GRÃ?SSTE ZOOFACHGESCHÃ?FT DER WELT":

http://www.zajac.de/
http://www1-dug.websale.net/$WS/zoo-zaj ... te_wir.htm

(both links are in German)

I haven't been there my self, but I recently saw an add for it in a magazine, and since I visit the area regularly I'll go there at next opportunity.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 22 Feb 2006, 07:56

Marc knows both ZooZajac in Duisburg and Bleccha near Dortmund (in Witten Stockum). I been many times to both as well; I'm also curious about other shops than those two, however.

Zoo Zajac is huge indeed; bigger than most shopping malls in NL :O
but it's mostly food, filters, thingamajigs, you name it. very reasonable prices too. but the fish aren't special, although they have a few oddbals. but not in the catfish selection, it's mostly L-numbers.

Bleccha is a trove of weird fish, but sometimes it's not for years, then suddenly they have weird stuff again, no telling.

Hence his question, I think.....judging to the welse.de sites and others, there must be more stores in Germany with rare catfishes.....

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 22 Feb 2006, 16:14

Marc van Arc wrote: Due to a lack of replies

I've mailed some LFS-ses and they didn't reply (so far). I won't travel the whole day at the risk that a shop may even be closed....
I didn't mean the lack of replies on PC, although I had expected some more input.

Harsmann, thanks for your reply. You'll certainly enjoy your visit to Zajac, especially with regard to the accessories department. It's quite abundant!!

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 23 Feb 2006, 19:39

Marc van Arc wrote:I will visit Belgium instead.

Already got some replies from Belgian LFS-ses. This looks promising. I'll let you know how things have worked out.

Matthias · Post by **Matthias** » 26 Feb 2006, 12:27

Hello Marc,

I've seen this topic too late.

In case you decide to come to germny another time, take a look at this list:

http://welse.net/POSITIV/SEITEN/aqua_vnw.htm

Most of the shops I don't know, but the first one is very good. If you go to the website you can find pictures of very rare catfish.

Matthias

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 26 Feb 2006, 21:04

Hi Matthias,
I will certainly come to Germany some other time and I will take advantage of your list. It is just what I've been looking for. Thanks a lot/ Recht herzlichen Dank

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 27 Feb 2006, 22:12

Surprise, surprise. I got a reply today from Raubwelse.de and it seems it's going to be Germany after all. It'll be quite a trip (800 km), but it'll be worthwhile: Tetranematichthys and several other Auchenipterids will be waiting overthere. And I can tell you this: I won't return empty handed

.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 28 Feb 2006, 02:05

Guess your avatar will change in short order then....I can imagine all too well a pair of happy night pranksters (Tetranematicthys) snacking on the Exodons.....

unless they're tiny Tetranematichthys ofcourse. I don't know much about Ageneiosids, but what I DO know is, they're swimming mouths.....everything half their length and not highbuilt is fair game

A much cooler fish than Exodon however. Characins are very nice, but catfishes -especially such rare weird ones- win handsdown!

happy hunting!

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 28 Feb 2006, 07:57

sidguppy wrote:
Guess your avatar will change in short order then....I can imagine all too well a pair of happy night pranksters (Tetranematicthys) snacking on the Exodons.....

Well, I wonder. My population has decreased a lot since last October (just 28 fishes, of which 16 characins ). Thus giving the Exodons a great opportunity to grow. The smallest is around 9 cms.
The Tetranematichthys is said to be around 15 cms, which is almost full grown according to the books.
Btw: it's one specimen; it's still the same situation as last summer.... except for the larger Exodons

sidguppy wrote: I don't know much about Ageneiosids, but what I DO know is, they're swimming mouths.....everything half their length and not highbuilt is fair game

I used to have three A. magoi and you're right: they ate everything that fitted their mouth.
So they're not in the picture ( but I'm very happy he doesn't have them in stock

). The Auchenipterids I'm referring to are pretty obscure Tatias and - for instance - Trachelyopterus sp otorongo. So I'll have to clean out the medium tank as well. Anyone interested in 10 mature Kryptopterus macrocephalus??

sidguppy wrote:happy hunting!

Thanks. We'll do.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 28 Feb 2006, 11:15

Marc van Arc wrote: We'll do.

We won't. Due to a funeral next Thursday the whole trip is cancelled

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 04 Mar 2006, 18:57

If I have learned anything from the above, it's this: next time I'll let you know the ins and outs when I have the fish here at home safe and sound.