Hi, new here.
I'm from Italy and I own a pangasius hypophthalamus.
He's been with me for about 8 years now and is about 30/35cm.
I had a 180ltrs tank, so I bought a new 220ltrs new one.
Still, it seems he wants more. I like my fish very mch, and I'd never give him to anyone, but I understand he needs more than I can give him.
So my question is: do you know a place in north Italy where I can bring him, so that he could live in a free, large space.
Or, some hints to make him happy: food or plants he's fond of, or something like that.
oh, and does anyone know how long they do live? Because I don't know if I should call him "granny" or "my kid".
Thank you all!
F_Squalini
new_pangasius
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MatsP
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Well, I'm not sure I can offer much advice here. This shows that they can grow to about 1.3m, so I think you're right that you need to find a zoo or other public aquaria that can take such a large fish, because keeping fish that grows that big in a normal residence is not feasible (the normal measurement is that the tank should be at least 4 times longer than the fish, twice as wide and at least as high as the fish. Putting 4 * 1.3 * 2 * 1.3 * 1.3 into the calculator gives: 18 m3 or 18000 liter...). And it takes up a small room in a normal recidense, 5.2m long and 2.6 meter width. Never mind the 18 tons of water that would be like parking a large truck in your living room...
It's sad that fish-stores are selling this type of fish to "unsuspecting aquarists". These type of fish should come with a big warning sign saying "this fish grows VERY LARGE".
My guess is that you bought this fish as a small specimen, and that it was not very old when you bought it. They will live for a substantial time tho'. Even the smaller catfish like Corydoras can live for 10-15 years. I suspect, without actually knowing for sure, that this fish will live for several tens of years.
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Mats
It's sad that fish-stores are selling this type of fish to "unsuspecting aquarists". These type of fish should come with a big warning sign saying "this fish grows VERY LARGE".
My guess is that you bought this fish as a small specimen, and that it was not very old when you bought it. They will live for a substantial time tho'. Even the smaller catfish like Corydoras can live for 10-15 years. I suspect, without actually knowing for sure, that this fish will live for several tens of years.
--
Mats
pangasius
"if they live in rivers, there's a reason..."
I bought him 8 years ago and he was 3 cms long.
Actually we are getting aong very well, he follows us through the glass and comes to get food on the surface from our hands.he's with 4 gold fishes and a botia (all from 15 to 20cms).
If I knew anything about him I'd let him in that shop, but nobody told me anything about his size^^;;;
It's sad to say that, 'cause I'm so fond of my fish, but it's true, they shouldn't sell them without even knowing what they have in their shops.
I visited a shop just today, and saw a full tank of small pangasius ready to be sold...they'll end up in a lake or river...
Now I'm only trying to find a better place for him to live in.
thanx
F_squalini
I bought him 8 years ago and he was 3 cms long.
Actually we are getting aong very well, he follows us through the glass and comes to get food on the surface from our hands.he's with 4 gold fishes and a botia (all from 15 to 20cms).
If I knew anything about him I'd let him in that shop, but nobody told me anything about his size^^;;;
It's sad to say that, 'cause I'm so fond of my fish, but it's true, they shouldn't sell them without even knowing what they have in their shops.
I visited a shop just today, and saw a full tank of small pangasius ready to be sold...they'll end up in a lake or river...
Now I'm only trying to find a better place for him to live in.
thanx
F_squalini
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MatsP
- Posts: 21038
- Joined: 06 Oct 2004, 13:58
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- My BLogs: 4 (i:0, p:164)
- Spotted: 187
- Location 1: North of Cambridge
- Location 2: England.
I'm sure you're aware of this, but just in case:
DO NOT release your fish into a local river or lake. It might be OK for your fish, but it will most likely have dire consequences for SOME inhabitant(s) in the body of water where it's released.
You may be able to get him into a zoo or something. Otherwise, unfortunately, there's only two options:
1. Get an ever bigger tank, until you can't afford it any logner (you may be able to build a pond outside...?)
2. Euthenazia. Take him to the vet's, and they'll give him a shot of something... Not nice, but better than suffering in a cramped tank.
I can really feel for you. When you've taken care of any pet for that sort of time, you get attached to them (even after a few weeks, but it doesn't get any better after a longer time).
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Mats
DO NOT release your fish into a local river or lake. It might be OK for your fish, but it will most likely have dire consequences for SOME inhabitant(s) in the body of water where it's released.
You may be able to get him into a zoo or something. Otherwise, unfortunately, there's only two options:
1. Get an ever bigger tank, until you can't afford it any logner (you may be able to build a pond outside...?)
2. Euthenazia. Take him to the vet's, and they'll give him a shot of something... Not nice, but better than suffering in a cramped tank.
I can really feel for you. When you've taken care of any pet for that sort of time, you get attached to them (even after a few weeks, but it doesn't get any better after a longer time).
--
Mats
Some more infos
Thank you very much for your reply.
Of course I won't throw him in a lake, but I understand why you insist on this point, because I know 99% of people do that=(
In these days I sent mails to several assosiations in Italy and only one of them replied^^;;
They say they would be happy to keep him with them in a pond used as a home for illegaly imported fishes and endangered species.
They then will use the case as an advice for people having tanks and thinking bout buying one of those huge fishes.
There's one more thing I'd like to know: do the pangasius hypophtalamus live in warm water? I think so, but can he survive in ponds where water is about 5-10°celsius in winter?
Thak you
F-squalini
Of course I won't throw him in a lake, but I understand why you insist on this point, because I know 99% of people do that=(
In these days I sent mails to several assosiations in Italy and only one of them replied^^;;
They say they would be happy to keep him with them in a pond used as a home for illegaly imported fishes and endangered species.
They then will use the case as an advice for people having tanks and thinking bout buying one of those huge fishes.
There's one more thing I'd like to know: do the pangasius hypophtalamus live in warm water? I think so, but can he survive in ponds where water is about 5-10°celsius in winter?
Thak you
F-squalini
-
MatsP
- Posts: 21038
- Joined: 06 Oct 2004, 13:58
- My articles: 4
- My images: 28
- My cats species list: 117 (i:33, k:0)
- My aquaria list: 10 (i:8)
- My BLogs: 4 (i:0, p:164)
- Spotted: 187
- Location 1: North of Cambridge
- Location 2: England.