My columbian shark (err catfish?)

[randalthor]

I know that columbian sharks are ment to be brackish, however I have read on the internet of many people who have kept them as freshwater. I am wondering if I could keep them in my freshwater tank, with mabye a little bit of aquarium salt here and there (as much as the other fish can stand.)

 

[Dangerousdan]

I know that columbian sharks are ment to be brackish, however I have read on the internet of many people who have kept them as freshwater. I am wondering if I could keep them in my freshwater tank, with mabye a little bit of aquarium salt here and there (as much as the other fish can stand.)

[snapback]908841[/snapback]​

Im not really the best person to be answering this but from my own limited knowledge, aquarium salt is completely wrong kind of salt firstly. They can be kept in freshwaters a young fish but should be weand into brackish as they grow using marine salt. I have no idea what size or age this should start, or how much salt added etc at anytime, but if you have it with other freshwater fish then you can not do this. I think that some people do keep them in freshwater but that doesnt mean its right (back to the good old 2 wrongs dont make it right). I think i read that by them staying in freshwater their internal organs do not develop correctly thus shortenin their life span and imo causing unnessasary suffering.
Hope this helps alittle till someone more clued up answers
Dan

 

[CFC]

To cut a long story short no you will not be able to keep an adult shark cat in freshwater for the duration of its life, it will get sick and die at some point and there are no doubts about it. Adult fish (those a foot long or bigger) should be kept in very strongly brackish or marine water, that is water with a SG of 1.018 or higher, you can probably get away with keeping your shark cat in freshwater until it reaches around 6 inches but then you must start to add salt until you have a SG of at least 1.005.

 

[randalthor]

Hmm, Thanks a lot I appreciate it.

 

[Nethius]

I know that columbian sharks are ment to be brackish, however I have read on the internet of many people who have kept them as freshwater.  I am wondering if I could keep them in my freshwater tank, with mabye a little bit of aquarium salt here and there (as much as the other fish can stand.)

[snapback]908841[/snapback]​

Im not really the best person to be answering this but from my own limited knowledge, aquarium salt is completely wrong kind of salt firstly. They can be kept in freshwaters a young fish but should be weand into brackish as they grow using marine salt. I have no idea what size or age this should start, or how much salt added etc at anytime, but if you have it with other freshwater fish then you can not do this. I think that some people do keep them in freshwater but that doesnt mean its right (back to the good old 2 wrongs dont make it right). I think i read that by them staying in freshwater their internal organs do not develop correctly thus shortenin their life span and imo causing unnessasary suffering.
Hope this helps alittle till someone more clued up answers
Dan

[snapback]909005[/snapback]​

^^^ That's right!

Don't keep them in FW, they will not live long. Like Dangerousdan said aquarium salt is not the right salt, you need marine salt (ie. Instant Ocean) and this salt would kill your FW fish. A lot of fish stores dont know the difference between the 2, and won't listen when you try to correct them.

 

[Pufferpunk]

They are schooling fish that can grow up to 18".

 

[randalthor]

Would say... around 3 of these fish do well in a 3 by 4 foot tank with proper salt

 

[CFC]

A 5 long foot tank would be better but with a 3 foot width a 4 foot would be ok providing they dont grow past their average size of 12"

 

[Pufferpunk]

A school usually consisits of 5-6 fish. A school of these adults is extremely inpressive!