DeanAsploded

I have a friend who is an absolute fanatic over catfish. For quite a while now he's been saving up and trying to research into getting one or two bigger species for a home aquarium for his basement.

Most of what we found could either only get 6 inches long, or could get up to eight feet long. lol. Just not exactly what he's looking for, as he's had goldfish larger than most species we found that he liked the look of.

When I offered to come here for help his specifications were stated as:
-suggestions of 12+ inches of fish, OR if they're 12'' and/or under suggestions on schoolers only
-nothing that needs an aquarium of "like, I don't know, nothing that needs a bloody 1000g"

Although if you know of some smaller than 1 ft. cats. that don't mind being alone I wouldn't mind hearing about them for personal interest.

And of course a general guideline for how many gallons whatever you suggests needs would be helpful. As long as it's "like, I don't know, nothing that needs a bloody 1000g" (lol) he's willing to save up for however long it takes if he finds an idea really attractive. Ever since I've known him he's been a catfish lover. Nothing's going to deter him too easily.

Thanks for any help!

Amanda

Well plecos are a catfish and commons can reach huge lengths.
Here's a link that I've used before:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/

mathas

Amanda is spot on with the PlanetCatfish recommendation, since their search feature lets you search by max size.

For example, here is a list of 132 catfish that reach a max size between 12 and 18 inches: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...e&results=1000

DeanAsploded

Thanks a lot guys! I never came across that site in my search.

btate617

Horabagrus Brachysoma (sun cat) is a pretty cool catfish. 18" would probably be full grown in a home tank. I have had a few over the years and they are a fun fish to keep.

Brian

DeanAsploded

Thanks! We saw those on a random forum, and they're already in our maybe pile. Do you know a minimum tank size, though - or at the least what have you kept them in successfully? We got mixed answers on that through our searches.

Amanda

I'd imagine 200+ gal. My 150 is 18" wide...so that would be a min.

btate617

I never kept one past 8-10" usually in a 100gal or larger. There are very few fish I keep their entire life though, thats not really my thing. I would say a 200-250gal tank would work as 18" I would say would be max, probably more like 14-16".

Brian

DeanAsploded

Well, the site's been a great help. He's at least narrowed it down to a few families he'd prefer!

1. Pimelodidae
2. Doradidae
3. Mochokidae

Only a couple hundred individual species profiles to go through! Haha.

Tony G.

have you tried raphaels? they are really fun haha i have one, they top off at around8 inches, and they have the cutest faces!
lol

Gouramiguy17

Feather fin cats are my favorite. I got mine 9 years ago at walmart and it is about 4 inches right now

Toddnbecka

Check out the Asian upside-down catfish.

DeanAsploded

Will do! =]

DeanAsploded

I've pretty much been excluded from the search help as it's down to his personal preferences now, but last I could tell he's been looking up raphael's, lima shovelnoses, and clown synos - as well as a few looks into the more decorated plecos and a few ugly mugged ones.

Thanks for the help, everyone!
He really appreciates it, especially the suggestion of going to planetcatfish.

Amanda

Shovelnoses get too large for aquariums IMO

DeanAsploded

I'll pass that along.

DeanAsploded

He has cleared up that the he was looking up the shovelnoses because he was getting mixed research on them, and was therefore curious as to the truth. Apparently he's found everything from statements of them topping out at 10'' to reaching lengths of 60''.

But now I'm curious. lol.
Amanda, 1) what do you consider "too large for aquariums" and 2) what max size did you find for them?

steve_58

I think shovelnoses usually max out at around 3ft in an aquarium.I guess it depends on how they're fed and housed.