H. Seemanni

Psy · Post by **Psy** » 11 Sep 2005, 22:11

So, these are pretty interesting fish. Aside from the basics, the behavior isnt very well explained. What would you do to create the ideal tank?

Since they are active should they have a 6 foot tank, or would a 4 footer (ie 75gallon) work? Do they remain peaceful to each other as they grow? Would 4 or 5 be ok in a 75? Its pretty heavily stocked for fw, but insane for saltwater, which "rules" apply?

In the wild, are they found around structure?

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 12 Sep 2005, 08:07

a 4 footer would be quite temporary, you DO know their adult size I hope?
14-18" is quite normal, and they can get 24" or close to that max......

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 12 Sep 2005, 10:22

18" * 4 => 72" => 6 foot. That's the MINIMUM recommended tank-size, and it should also be at least 2x the length of the fish, so you need a 6 x 3 x 3 foot tank or preferrably bigger...

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Mats

Psy · Post by **Psy** » 12 Sep 2005, 13:32

I've never seen a listing for a 18 incher, nevermind 24 inches. Can I see a citation, or at least a change in the Catelog? I was basing that on the 12-14 inches one sees listed everywhere. I also usually consider that 2x front to back to be very generous, although with these active fish, it probably should be 2x.

For me, its pretty academic anyway, they would require another tank of some sort, which I have been banned from getting.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 12 Sep 2005, 14:11

I was just quoting the numbers sidguppy gave, but if he says so, I believe it is so. He's got no reason to lie.

The Cat-eLog for all the right reasons, is based mainly on scientific works, such as the original or subsequent scientific describtion(s) of the fish. This has some flaws...

1. If some collector goes out to catch a batch of some fish, and tries to find the largest one, it's possible that there are much larger individuals in some other part of the river system or lake, and also that they don't quite catch the biggest one in that area anyways...

2. When collecting and storing scientific samples, really big fishes becomes a problem, so sometimes the biggest fishes aren't kept for scientific evaluation.

Both of these mean that the max size of the fish in the Cat-eLog are quite likely on the low side of actual maximum size.

Unfortunately, without having some other accurate and verifiable source, this is the best we can get.

Another point is that the size of the fish in the Cat-eLog is always "Standard Length", which precludes the actual tail-fin (caudal fin) from the length. Total length (including the caudal fin) will be a bit longer.

But a 75 gallon tank is too small ever for a 12" fish, as 4 x 2 x 2 would make it a 120 gallon tank, so obviously a 75g tank that is four foot long won't be two foot in either height or width, thus making it too small for a one-foot fish. [If the short side of the block is square, it would be about 19", sufficient for fish shorter than 10"].

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Mats

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Mats

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 12 Sep 2005, 17:30

I have seen 18" specimen myself, long ago in a showtank in Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam.

the 24" (2 feet) size I got from sites like fishbase, and books written by David Sands for example.

they might be wrong, but all in all; it IS a big fish, a SHOALER and active too, really likes to swim.

14" or 24"; it has NO business in a 75 US gallon tank.