London Aquarium: Tank Buster Displays

[SmileyMan]

Just been to london for the weekend and paid a visit to the London Aquarium (Along with other places). Not getting onto to anything else but they have two tanks showing fish mainly donated from peoples tanks these included:

Giant Gourami's
Shovel Nose
Giraffe Catfish
Red-Tail Catfish
Tinfoil Barbs
Arowana
Pacu's

All fish that are available in the aquatic trade. These two LARGE tanks (the one with the pacus and red-tails in must be 15,000 gal at least) for me was a great display to the public of how big these fish do get also the signs saying most been donated after out growing there tanks.

These fish need to be sold and keep by specialists only (By that not your normal fish keeper) I for one would LOVE a red-tail but untill I can afford the space and size of tank then I will not entertain the idea.

I recently saw a juvenile red-tail (8") for sale in pets@home for goodness sake.

Popped to wharf aquatics on why back and they sell most of these fish but they specialize in tank busters / odd balls and dont sell until they know the prospective buyer has the full facts and cash/room for em. But pets@home? dam!!!!

On a side note: Listened to the guy giving the talk and found it funny when he informed everyone the red-tails can grow to 6 meters and weigh 300 pounds. What can I say? Tanks maintained by pros, Talks by pets@home.inc

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd love a proper giraffe cat, I'm not sure what general captivity size is though. I'm tempted to think it's nearer 2ft than 3ft...

 

[CFC]

I think the guy meant 6 feet and 300 pounds for the redtails, even the 3 largest freshwater fish (mekong giant catfish, european wels and Aparaima gigas) in the world dont grow more than 4 meters and RTC are small fry in comparison.

 

[SmileyMan]

I think the guy meant 6 feet and 300 pounds for the redtails, even the 3 largest freshwater fish (mekong giant catfish, european wels and Aparaima gigas) in the world dont grow more than 4 meters and RTC are small fry in comparison.

Yeah but he said 300pounds, Largest captive RTC recorded is only around 100pounds.

So not sure where he got details from?

 

[catfish_mad]

Do you have any pics mate. I've got some Tinfoils that will be needing a bigger tank soon. The LFS had some at about 8-9" theh other, i was in two minds of getting them but couldn't house them.

 

[OohFeeshy]

There's an interesting article in this months PFK about tank busters and how many have been offered to public aquariums. Based on what they found, it seems up to or over 1000 fish are offered to public aquaria each year due to out-growing tanks... and msot aren't accepted (common plecs, thankfully, seem to be, but they are comparatively small and work in most setups).

 

[SmileyMan]

Sorry no pics din't take my camera. Wish I had cos the red-tails where HUGH the biggest I seen yet, Biggest must have been closing on 5 foot.

 

[CFC]

Should see the one at the Aquatic Experience @ Syon Park in Brentford, is the largest known captive RTC in Britain and is over 5 feet in length and probably 3 feet wide across the shoulder!!

 

[catfish_mad]

Sounds a stunning fish. pitty you didn't take the camera. I think i'll have to nip in when i'm next down there.