Need help selecting some med. size cats

Pimbuddy · Post by **Pimbuddy** » 19 May 2006, 23:02

Hey guys got a question. After several attempts at an outdoor pond (I live in South Florida) I've settled on the fact that a tank around 180-210 gallons might be a better option. I really enjoy raising some of the bigger cats, RTC and TSN but by no means do I want to subject one to long term confinment in a tank that size. Are there any decent options for some SA cats that are in the 12"-20" range or that grow slowly enough after one foot that I could house and not feel they are cramped. I really enjoy the docile nature and the interaction with these fish when they can be hand fed. I'd prefer not to keep limas. Thanks in advance for the input.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 19 May 2006, 23:07

How about:

Reaches around 20", so shouldn't get too big... I have no idea if this is a good choice or not, tho' - or whether you can actually get one, or not.

--
Mats

Pimbuddy · Post by **Pimbuddy** » 19 May 2006, 23:24

Thanks Mat. Yeah I was thinking about that option, seems somewhat possible or maybe the slightly bigger Brachyplatystoma juruense but I've never seen these in any of my LFSs but with some good flow rate and the right tank dimentions maybe.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 20 May 2006, 08:56

How about one of THESE?

it sure is a very pretty fish and they reach the same size, sort of. not counting the long whiskers

It's my favourite of the bigger cats, unfortunately I haven't got the place for them (there are 2 cute 6"'s of them at the local LFS, sold as "Leiarius marmoratus")

Pimbuddy · Post by **Pimbuddy** » 20 May 2006, 15:26

Yeah that has been in the back of my mind as well, they have a really nice one about 14" at the LFS but I get confllicting reports about the size that they grow, def seems like a slower grower than some of the others, I think if I go with the larger size tank this could work, let me know guys if it gets too big, and thanks sidG.

snowball · Post by **snowball** » 21 May 2006, 02:14

What about ? They grow to about a foot long so there shouldn't be any concerns about them out-growing the tank. You could perhaps keep a small group which should allow them to develop a social structure, which would probably be more interesting than having individual specimins of different fish - although there's nothing wrong with that. At the end of the day it's your tank so you should go for what appeals to you the most.