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Monster Cats
Arthur Masloski
The Siluriformes order is arguably one of the most successful orders of
animals on this planet, and it’s also among the largest. Known commonly as
catfish, there are about 36 families of these and about 3000 documented
species. According to John Lundberg and John Friel of the Tree of Life web
project (www.tolweb.org), one out of every 20 vertebrate species is a catfish.
Catfish range across the globe in both fresh and salt waters. They live in
every conceivable habitat, from small clear streams to stagnant ponds, even in
caves. Catfishes also have evolved to exploit every possible food source—some
are predacious, some scavengers, and some herbivores. There are some that are
parasitic, and there are some who specialize in eating wood. Their
reproductive habits are equally diverse. Some show parental care, while some
do not. There are even those that rely on other species to care for their
young.
They range in size from some of the smallest vertebrates on the planet at
10mm (Aspredinids and Trichomycterids), to some of the largest, such as the
Mekong giant Silurus glanis at 600 pounds. It is no surprise that catfishes
are so popular with aquarists, given the diversity very briefly outlined
above. Fish shops always have a wide selection of these fishes to choose from,
and some like Corydoras are community staples. Others, like the banjo
catfishes, are oddities to be marveled at. And still there are those presented
to us that really have no business in the aquarium trade at all.
Cats to Avoid
Let’s look at the most commonly encountered catfish species that are
suitable only for truly gigantic tanks, such as those you’d find at a public
aquarium.
CHANNEL CATFISH
The channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus has been an aquarium staple for some
time. Farmed extensively as a food fish in North America, they are also a
native species in much of the continent’s waters. They belong to the family
Ictaluridae, one unique to the North American continent, containing over 40
species. Despite their diversity, the channel catfish is likely the only
member you will find in a fish store and is presented in both its wild and
albino color forms. This is unfortunate, as the channel catfish is also one of
the larger members of the family. The world record weighed in at 58 pounds and
many are caught by fishermen in the range of 20 to 50 pounds.
Because they are so easy to obtain, many live in improper conditions, and
some are even released into the wild. The practice of releasing any fish,
native or not, is both illegal and dangerous to the wild ecosystem. Channel
cats grow very fast, some aquarists reporting a size increase of about an inch
a month. They are also known to eat just about anything, including tankmates,
a trait common with many catfishes large and small.
The good news about these fish is their tolerance of cold water, which means
they can live in ornamental ponds with the likes of koi and large goldfish.
They become tame with relative ease and may even surface to feed on pellets.
Their coloration ranges from an olive-yellow to almost black in larger adults;
black speckles decorate the body of the fish. They have a deeply forked caudal
fin that is edged in black on juveniles, and a typical catfish body,
completely naked without any armor or scales.
IRIDESCENT SHARK
The name “shark” is one often associated with shark-like catfishes.
Generally it is their appearance that gives them this label, but I assure you
there are no species of freshwater sharks in the aquarium trade. These
catfish, however, can reach a size comparable to many shark species. The
iridescent shark Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is an Asian species, and like the
channel catfish, it is raised in its native area as a food fish. Perhaps it is
this factor that has made both so common in the aquarium trade.
Whatever the case may be, they are another aquarium staple and likely here
to stay. These fish belong to the same family as the 600-pound Mekong giant
catfish (Pangasiidae). They don’t reach quite that size, but at about 4 feet
in length and about 100 pounds, they are monsters by aquarium standards.
Sold in both their wild and albino forms, they are active schooling fish.
Because of their lifestyle they are even less suited for aquariums than some
of the others in this article. Kept alone, P. hypophthalmus is a nervous fish
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that zips quickly around the tank when startled. When larger, this can create
quite a problem. I have heard many stories about these catfish literally
knocking themselves out during a standard tank cleaning, and have even
personally seen it happen.
Should you have a desire for this fish—even with this information—there are
certain steps you should take. An indoor pond is pretty much required, and a
rounded one is your best option, as it improves the swimming space for these
catfish and eliminates the problems corners can create with their behaviors.
The system will have to be heated, and if possible multiple specimens should
be kept. It is a huge undertaking, but that would allow for a much better life
for this fish than the standard community system that so many end up in. The
iridescent has a long naked body and is typically bluish or silver in color,
but some are darker, almost black. They have very large eyes, small barbels,
and a deeply forked caudal fin. Juveniles have two white stripes along their
sides.
COLOMBIAN SHARK
The Colombian shark Sciades seemanni is a member of the Ariidae family found
along the coasts of Central and South America. In the wild it lives in the
brackish waters of rivers and estuaries. Despite being a brackish species, it
is almost always sold as a freshwater fish. It is true that while young they
can survive in fresh water, but this eventually changes as the fish ages and
salt becomes a necessity to successfully keep this species. If not provided
with salt, the fish can become ill and suffer skin problems, and eventually
will die. Salinity between 1.005 and 1.015 is best.
As for size, compared to others mentioned, it isn’t really a monster. They
grow to a length between 1 and 2 feet, manageable but not something for a
community aquarium. They range in color from silver to brownish, with a white
belly. The pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are black in color with white
edges, giving the fish the common name silver- or white-tip shark.
RED-TAILED CATFISH
I have had the good fortune of never meeting the red-tail catfish
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus in a fish shop. The reason I say good fortune
is because many other aquarists across the country have seen them, and claim
it is quite common. This catfish comes from South America and can reach a size
of 4 or even 5 feet in length.
As catfish go, it is a very attractive species. The tail of the fish is
reddish orange in color, hence the name. The rest of the fish is black with a
white belly and a white stripe running along its sides. In addition to the
fish’s attractive coloration, it is also said to be an excellent wet pet. They
are very interactive and responsive to their owners. Don’t let this fool you
though; they will quickly kill and eat just about any fish you place them
with, as there aren’t many fish that a 3-foot catfish can’t eat.
COMMON PLECOSTOMUS
Without a doubt, plecos are among the most commonly sold fish on the market,
and it can be said that they are one of the most abused and neglected. There
are several species sold as common plecos, but for the most part they are
members of the genus Hypostomus, typically Hypostomus plecostomus. Other
species, such as the sailfin plecostomus Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps, are often
mistaken as a Hypostomus species and sold as such, but their requirements are
similar anyway.
They all reach about the same size: between 12 and 20 inches. This may not
sound like much, but given that this species is sold to so many aquarists in
the country, it is an important thing to make note of. These fish don’t do
well in small aquaria, despite being placed in them as janitors. And janitors
they are not.
While they will eat uneaten food and some species of algae, they don’t eat
fish waste and actually produce more waste than most species. They cannot be
expected to sustain themselves on leftovers and algae alone, either. They are
fish that enjoy eating and their diet must be well-supplemented. Algae wafers
make a great staple, and foods such as blanched romance lettuce, zucchini,
cucumber, and other vegetables should also be supplied. If their dietary
requirements are not met, these normally peaceful fish can become a nuisance
for other fish. In their search for food they have been known to suck on to
the sides of other fish, feeding on their slime coat.
Plecos are great fish and are very interesting, so I am not trying to turn
you off to them. Just keep in mind that they do require specific care: large
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setups, lots of filtration, and plenty of forage in order to thrive.
Coloration varies a lot with individuals. Some are gray while others are
brown, and others still are almost black. The body is covered all over with
spots and blotches. They only have two barbels near the mouth, and an armored
body. The dorsal fin is large and prominent when erect.
PAROON SHARK
The paroon shark Pangasius sanitwongsei isn’t quite as common as any of the
previously listed species, but is worth mentioning because it is said to be on
the increase in fish shops. This species is closely related to the iridescent
shark and quite similar in behavior. It is, however, a much larger animal.,
reaching about 10 feet in length.
Also available in the aquarium hobby is a short-body version of this fish.
These specimens are becoming more common and are basically a short, fat
version of their normal relatives. They are a bit drabber in appearance than
iridescent sharks but look very much the same. Adults typically have extended
filaments on their pelvic, pectoral, and dorsal fins.
SHOVELNOSE CATFISH
There are two species of catfishes available under the trade name
shovelnose. Both come from South America and both belong to the family
Pimelodidae. They aren’t fish-shop staples but show up on occasion. The lima
or common shovelnose Sorubim lima is the smaller and more common of the two,
reaching about 18 inches. The other is the tiger shovelnose Pseudoplatystoma
fasciatum, which can reach a length of 36 inches or so. These fish are rarer
and more expensive than the lima shovelnose, and their care can be difficult.
They are sensitive to water quality and often difficult to feed. Typically,
they require live food, but can often be trained to take frozen foods such as
shrimp or squid.
Both fish have a similar body structure, a wide mouth that’s duck-like, long
barbels, and long, slender bodies. The lima is grayish above and white below,
with a black stripe running along the sides from the snout to the end of the
caudal fin. The tiger is gray in color, with a white belly and vertical black
stripes and spots along the body.
RIPSAW CATFISH
This is a fish with many common names: black talking catfish, ripsaw, and
mother-of-snails catfish to name a few. Scientifically, it is known as
Oxydoras niger, and is a member of the family Doradidae from South America. I
have had the opportunity to meet full-grown specimens of this fish, and they
are quite impressive and tame. They even came to the surface for pellets and
had no problem letting me touch their armored hides. In my opinion, they look
like very large Corydoras with solid black coloration. They are generally a
peaceful species, but they can reach about 36 inches in length.
Conclusion
As you can see, the saying “buyer beware” definitely applies to the hobbyist
shopping around for a catfish, but luckily there is still an enormous variety
of catfish to choose from. For more information on catfishes in general, I
urge you to check out www.scotcat.com and www.planetcatfish.com. For more
information on the larger species, I suggest you visit the nice selection of
forums on large and predatory fish that exist on the web.
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