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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/15/2012 1:12:12 PM
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| I am searching for redtail and tiger shovelnose catfish in the 4-6" range. I placed an order with Rainforest Farms International but I am disappointed with that company already . They charged me for the 4-6" size fish but are shipping me 2-2.5" fish. I have a 55gal aquarium indoors and I am in the process of building a 4,00 gal tropical pond. I plan to put several of each species in my pond. I would appreciate any information on where to purchase the fish as well as insight on my project.
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New Member
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Last Login: 12/16/2012 1:14:36 PM
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Sorry to stick my nose in your business , but why are you looking for redtailed catfish and shovelnose catfish. The reason i'm asking is a 55 gallon tank won't hold either species for very long and a 400 gal pond might be able to house one adult size of either species. If you don't already know an adult redtailed catfish grows to 52 inches long and an adult shovelnose catfish will grow to 48 inches long they are both very large fish with very large appetites that will eat anything that will fit in it's mouth. I had a redtailed catfish given to me a few years ago because it had grown to big for the kid to house anymore and he was going to "set it free" into the colder water of the great lakes if I didn't take it. The fish was 15 inches long and I had it in a 500 gal pre formed pond in my basement. The next day when I went to feed it I found the cord from one of the heaters sticking out of it's mouth, That is right it ate the heater, swallowed it whole, I had to hold the fish and pull the heater out of it's moth in the process got a good gash on my arm from it's razor like fins. I eventually convinced a public aquarium to take it but I had to get it to them. I can't believe I drove for 8 hours to save a fish that wasn't mine from being released to the wild.
I will not buy fish this time, I will not buy fish this time, I willnt buy fish this time, I willt buy fish this time, I WILL BUY FISH THIS TIME. Sometimes my addiction gets the best of me... did I say sometimes
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/15/2012 1:12:12 PM
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| Ok I'm sorry about the misunderstanding. It was a typing error on my behalf. I am well aware of the size potential of both species. I have researched the idea for quite a while. My pond will actually exceed 4,000 gallons. The dimensions are 12' in length x 8' with x 4' depth. I'm sorry I missed a 0 on earlier post.
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Moderator
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/1/2013 11:04:10 AM
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Whereabouts are you? In the UK at least, several shops regularly get these catfish in stock. Wholesale Tropicals in London seems to be the store that has juveniles of both species in stock most frequently, and it also has the (probably unnecessary!) hybrid of the two species as well.
HOWEVER, could I make a suggestion here. Instead of buying a giant catfish, why not rescue one? Unwanted adults litter the hobby. In the UK, the Maidenhead Aquatics chain has a "no questions asked" policy of accepting unwanted fish, and surprise, surprise, they take in quite a few giant catfish including Red-Tails. A little time spent e-mailing or telephoning the branches near you should quickly yield a specimen they'd be happy to pass on to a sensible owner.
If you're not in the UK, you should be able to do the same thing through your own shops, animal rescue charities and aquarium clubs. In the US especially, aquarium clubs are vibrant, helpful places and I'd highly recommend you get in touch with the ones nearest to you. Their members may well know of a giant catfish that needs rehoming. If you're willing to wait a few months until something turns up, then this would be the nicest way forward because you wouldn't be encouraging the trade in giant catfish (something most fishkeepers agree is bad given how few giant catfish live happy lives in captivity) but you would instead be helping out a specimen that's already here and quite possibly miserable in the tank it's in now.
Cheers, Neale
CMJohn79 (4/10/2012)
I am searching for redtail and tiger shovelnose catfish in the 4-6" range. I placed an order with Rainforest Farms International but I am disappointed with that company already . They charged me for the 4-6" size fish but are shipping me 2-2.5" fish. I have a 55gal aquarium indoors and I am in the process of building a 4,00 gal tropical pond. I plan to put several of each species in my pond. I would appreciate any information on where to purchase the fish as well as insight on my project.
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2013 6:54:53 PM
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| You might also want to consider how aggressive an eater a redtailed catfish is. If you get a 3 inch redtail and a 3 inch tigershovelnose, you most likely result in one fat redtail. It is crazy how large an object they can swallow. Also they grow quite a bit faster than a shovelnose. So even if they started out the same size, the redtail would quickly be much bigger.
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/15/2012 1:12:12 PM
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| I appreciate the helpful incites. I received my first redtail from Rainforest Farms International a few days ago. It is an amazing little fish. However my first shovelnose in that order was DOA. I am definitely going to look into local shops finding or ordering my fish in the future. I have found a shop in West Virginia that may be the answer to my search. Thanks for the replies.
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Advanced Member
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Last Login: 3/4/2013 1:51:29 PM
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theres been some prettty good input so far, i just think that its awesome that more people are being responsible fishkeepers. kudos to you man.
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Summer tiiime, and the livin's easy...
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/15/2012 1:12:12 PM
Posts: 22,
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| I am very thankful that I found this site. I have learned a lot and read a lot of interesting opinions. I look forward to reading and learning more in the future. Thanks to everyone.
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