Id Needed Before Attempting Rescue

[fishnovice]

Outside my local Oriental (possibly Vietnamese) fishshop was a heartbreaking sight, had to walk away as it made me physically sick. They had 8 foot long catfish in a tub with no filter. The poor fish were sticking their heads out of the water gasping for air.. I was tempted to rescue them (and may do so if I see any more) but first I need to know what I am letting myself in for and what theyneed and eat.

As catfish go they are weird -the front part looks like a red tail catfish complete with whiskers but the rear end looks more like an eel or weatherloach with long dorsal and ventral fins merging into its tail. They were dark with white bellies. Not sure if they are freshwater or brackish either and may come from Vietnam or at least SE Asia.

Any ideas? If anyone can ID them, what is optimum temp,diet and how big will they grow?

 

[fluttermoth]

Where on earth are you going to put an eight-foot long catfish?!

I do commend your sentiments, I really do, but you can't seriously be thinking about keeping one...imagine the filtration, the heating, the condensation....what if they grow to 15 or 20 feet, what would you do then?

I think a call to the local RSPCA, council and local papers to get the practice stopped would be far more practical and worthwhile.

 

[200sx]

all though a great idea but as above you would need one big tank for these and 100% sure if you walked past shop next week there will be more and you will want to help that one as well best to turn a blind eye to this sort of thing and contact rspca

 

[fishnovice]

Where on earth are you going to put an eight-foot long catfish?!

I do commend your sentiments, I really do, but you can't seriously be thinking about keeping one...imagine the filtration, the heating, the condensation....what if they grow to 15 or 20 feet, what would you do then?

I think a call to the local RSPCA, council and local papers to get the practice stopped would be far more practical and worthwhile.

It wasn't a huge 8ft catfish, it was eight fish about a foot each!They had 2 left today, dead in tank.The fishshop said they were African catfish used for soup

 

[200sx]

lol i also read it as one 8ft fish

 

[fluttermoth]

Where on earth are you going to put an eight-foot long catfish?!

I do commend your sentiments, I really do, but you can't seriously be thinking about keeping one...imagine the filtration, the heating, the condensation....what if they grow to 15 or 20 feet, what would you do then?

I think a call to the local RSPCA, council and local papers to get the practice stopped would be far more practical and worthwhile.

It wasn't a huge 8ft catfish, it was eight fish about a foot each!They had 2 left today, dead in tank.The fishshop said they were African catfish used for soup

Oooh!!! I'm sorry! I totally read that wrong!
I still think that rescuing fish from there, while I would want to do the same, would not be tackling the root cause of the problem; let's face it, if you buy one to put in a tank; they'll probably just import more to sell to more 'bleeding hearts' like us

All animals in this country are protected, by law, from unsuitable living conditions; even food animals; I honestly think letters to you local papers/council/RSPCA are your best bet to help this kind of thing stopped.

I'll knock off a letter to your local council too, if you tell me where you are

 

[fishnovice]

Where on earth are you going to put an eight-foot long catfish?!

I do commend your sentiments, I really do, but you can't seriously be thinking about keeping one...imagine the filtration, the heating, the condensation....what if they grow to 15 or 20 feet, what would you do then?

I think a call to the local RSPCA, council and local papers to get the practice stopped would be far more practical and worthwhile.

It wasn't a huge 8ft catfish, it was eight fish about a foot each!They had 2 left today, dead in tank.The fishshop said they were African catfish used for soup

Oooh!!! I'm sorry! I totally read that wrong!
I still think that rescuing fish from there, while I would want to do the same, would not be tackling the root cause of the problem; let's face it, if you buy one to put in a tank; they'll probably just import more to sell to more 'bleeding hearts' like us

All animals in this country are protected, by law, from unsuitable living conditions; even food animals; I honestly think letters to you local papers/council/RSPCA are your best bet to help this kind of thing stopped.

I'll knock off a letter to your local council too, if you tell me where you are

Thanks for the offer Can you email me a copy of the letter? It's Deptford Market, London SE8, Borough of Lewisham

 

[stonecoloured]

The only thing I can think of is: Asian red tailed catfish
These grow big as well.

Good Luck in reporting them.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[xingumike]

Sounds like Clarias?

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/_species.php?species_id=90

 

[Tstone]

If it's the albino asian red tail, it will only reach about 16".. not sure if it's the same thing as a normal asian red tail