Aquarium Catfish
Keeping Aquarium Catfish: Novice Or Pro Hobby?
Some say the keeping aquarium catfish is not for the new hobbyist, nor for the faint of heart, while others attest to the ease and excitement of owning and keeping these cool fish. There are some species, of course, that would never do in an aquarium, and would need to be held captive in a large pond. This can get pretty expensive depending on the breed of catfish you decide to raise, as your outdoor sanctuary may require some oxygen regulation and plant control in order to suit your prized fish. Aquarium catfish that will do well indoors are generally much smaller, some being omnivores and others predatory carnivores. You will need to study up on the particular species that you are interested in before setting up shop.
Aquarium catfish need plenty of space, and as close to a natural habitat as possible. Most catfish are indigenes to freshwater streams and rivers, and these are the most likely keepers for your in home aquarium. Catfish also grace brackish waters and seawater across the globe, but these will be much harder to raise for the new enthusiast. Keeping financial restrictions in mind will be your best bet, so go with what’s easiest for you first and build upward from there. A few of the easiest aquarium catfish to keep are the armored, the banjo, the sucker mouthed, the flat nosed, the pangasius, the upside-down, and the shark, just to name a few. Of the over 1,000 species of catfish, these narrow few are most likely to offer success in confinement.
After your decision and research on the aquarium catfish that you are most interested in obtaining, you will need to begin setting up the tank and getting its ph levels stabilized. Most experts agree that any new tank set up should be running for at least two weeks before the live animals are introduced. If you are using live plants, these can be allowed to take root and get comfortable, and it is a great idea to allow some algae to build before introducing your aquarium catfish.
Most catfish are nocturnal feeders, and you will want to stick to this rule of them within the tank habitat in order to support their health. If yours are carnivorous aquarium catfish, you will want to check for any remaining feeder fish in the morning to assess how well your catfish are eating. It is harder to determine the eating habits of your omnivorous fish, and you will want to keep a close eye out for weight loss or lack of activity. If yours are the armored species, it will be harder to tell if they are losing weight, so be diligent in your feeding and observation.