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Megalechis thoracata tank size
Posted: 13 Nov 2009, 13:40
by Cory_lover
Hey guys,
my breeding pair of Megalechis thoracata (both approx 9-10cm) are housed in a (36" x 14" x 15") 32gal tank, however due to my ever increasing interest in catfish

, I was thinking of transferring them into a (24" x 12" x 10") 12.5gal tank so that I can use the 36" for other fish. I know some people have bred them in this small a tank, but would it be alright for long-term basis? (They'd be the only fish in the 24" too)
I just feel that the 36" is such a waste of tank space for just 2 fish.....
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
P:S: all tank measurements given above are L x W x H
Re: Megalechis thoracata tank size
Posted: 13 Nov 2009, 14:00
by Birger
Have you seen this thread...
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =4&t=25730
For me the 24 inch seems a little small for a pair of these full grown
Re: Megalechis thoracata tank size
Posted: 13 Nov 2009, 14:21
by MatsP
I'm with Birger here. It's not "far too small", but "not big enough" either.
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Mats
Re: Megalechis thoracata tank size
Posted: 14 Nov 2009, 04:19
by L number Banana
Hi, I've had three in the same size tank 24x12x10 and they're doing great but I've only had them since mid-April so they may not be fully grown. I think after you have them for a while, you'll find them so personable that you may want them in your best tank. My three will be moving to a 45gal once it's ready.
Look them up on Youtube, there's lots of videos of them in different tanks and set-ups. Of all my catfish these are the most active, inquisitive and seem to 'like' being fed by hand, they sort of nibble a bit if I just drop the cubes in the tank but are really active and act like they're starving when I feed them by hand. They're good to study up close because they'll swim right up to your face when you look through the glass into the tank. If you look too close from above, they'll flip water at you. Try that with your friends. High entertainment value and works like a charm when you're trying to turn your friends into fish lovers

Re: Megalechis thoracata tank size
Posted: 14 Nov 2009, 05:19
by Cory_lover
aw your fish sounds lovely!
my breeding pair were like that when they were younger, but now that they're both at sexual maturity, I dare not put any other fish in the tank with them, for fear that the male will harass it till death. I put an agamyxis pectinifrons in the same tank one day, and it died 2 days later. biggest regret of my fish hobby ever.
so now that they're both not in breeding season, they just hide constantly, and only comes out when its feeding time..dunno why they're like that all of a sudden *shrugs* but i still love 'em! hahaha