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I saw what looked like a young (3") at an LFS today. Seemed a pretty good buy at $12 (it might also be a very thin , but the body seemed too long).
However, I passed because: (1) the fish looked very emaciated and (2) it looked as if it might have an infection (the Pimelodella that were in the same tank looked like they had metacercariae). I am also going to be out of town in a few days' time and I was wondering if it would be wise to acquire a fish I won't be around to properly care for(I could house it where someone would be able to feed it when I'm gone, though). Of course, setting up another tank to house the fish is also another factor to take into account.

Should I or shouldn't I?

Should I or shouldn't I?

Should'nt

Golden rule NUmber 1

if in doubt, don't buy

I have to agree... even when talking about a rare purchase. If it is still alive in the store when you get back go for it. Otherwise it would just die in your tank while you are gone.
I made a fish store visit myself today and picked up a group of Apisto macmasteri and sone Colombian Chaetostoma.
-Shane

don't do it.....

I've made EXACTLY the same mistake, over and over again ("rescuing" rare unhealthy cats from a "killer" LFS), and almost always it went wrong.

the least that can happen is you waste a few bucks and it dies pretty soon.

the worst it carries a virulent disease; somehow you transmit that disease into the other tanks and the result is a 75% demise of the entire hobby

been there, done that, and it's NOT pretty!

If it is Trachycorystes, I would definitely DO it!!

Well, if it was a Trachycorystes, I would set up a tank just for it, seeing that it would probably not like tankmates much when it grows. That should minimize any potential damage to disease (I won't be feeding my fish for at least 6 days, and I expect to lose some over that span of time anyway).

But, I see the point about buying fish and then going away, so I guess I'll wait. If I'm lucky, the catfish would still be in the store.

It's an ugly obscure catfish, the type we love the most!

Leaving it in the LFS is safe from the point of view that no one else is likely to buy it. If its still there when you return from your travels then submit to kismet. I'd buy it upon your return if you have time to nurse it, the doradidinae (is that correct?) half of the family are tough fish to a species.

Jools

What I'd do is pay for the fish but tell the LFS you are going away for a week, and will pick it up when you return. If the fish dies in their care while you are away you get a refund.

There's nothing more annoying than when you pass up an opportunity to buy a cool fish then go back wanting to buy it and it's been sold.

Jools wrote:It's an ugly obscure catfish, the type we love the most!
the doradidinae (is that correct?) Jools

It's an ugly obscure Auchenipterid.

i think it's great i might see if i can get one . ive been lookin for somthin like that to live in the sump of the big tank.

Kev

Marc van Arc wrote:Sorry, I was being thick, my mind still has some of this fish elsewhere in taxonomic terms (for no good reason).

Jools

I always see unusual (or cheap, or nicely marked, etc etc etc) fish in shops, and reason to myself that i have to buy them because if i don't, someone else will, and they may not take care of them as well as i think i could.

it's dangerous! you end up with way too many fish!!

Just passed up a chance to pick up some Opsodoras similar to this for the reasons HH listed (except I'll be gone for a month)...lets see if there will be any left when I get back.

Jools wrote:

Marc van Arc wrote:Sorry, I was being thick, my mind still has some of this fish elsewhere in taxonomic terms (for no good reason).

Jools

Dear Sir,
I object to the above quoted quote. I've never been thick, and if I were, it's none of your business.
Yours truly,
Marc van Arc (Mrs.)

A misquote if ever I made one! What I MEANT to say was , sorry, I was being thick, my mind still has some of this fish elsewhere in taxonomic terms (for no good reason).

Jools

If it's an expensive fish, ask the LFS if they will take a deposit to keep it for you. Then pay the rest if it's still alive when you get back.

Also, you could ask to see it feeding.