Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Common Fish That Are Too Big For Some Aquariums

     When shopping at the pet store for different fish for the aquarium it is very important to study and learn the proper care for the fish you want to buy. One of the first things you should take into consideration is the tank size for your fish. Some fish are small but need large tanks because of lots of movement. Some fish on the other hand seem small but will grow to reach very large sizes and are not suitable for the average tank.

Catfish

     Catfish are very beautiful fish and comes in a large variety size, color, shape. Most catfish have whiskers like a cat (hence the name catfish ) and they are used for touch and smell and the size of the whiskers can vary from short and stubby to long beautiful hair like strings flowing from their upper lip. Catfish can be a great addition to a freshwater aquarium, little do people know that some species of catfish sold at pet stores can reach to 5 ft long! 





Red Tail Catfish

Scientific Name: Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Location in wild: South America
Maximum Size: 5ft and up
Minimum Tank Size: size: Not recommended for any size aquarium

Synodontis Catfish

Scientific Name: Synodontis multipunctatus
Location In Wild: Central Africa
Maximum Size:  Many different types with varied sizes from a few inches to 12inches
Minimum Tank Size: Varies with type of Synodontis From 20 gallon to 75


Plecostomus

Scientific Name: Hypostomus plecostomus
Location In Wild: Peru, Brazil
Maximum Size: 24 inches dependeng on type of plecostomus
Minimum Tank Size: varies from 55 to 100 gallon


Clown Loach

Scientific Name: Chromobotia Macracanthus
Location In Wild: Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo
Maximum Size: 7 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Goldfish

     Goldfish can be very beautiful and come in many shapes and colors. They are considered a beginner fish and are put in bowls. When bought at the pet store they can be any where from 1/2 an inch to 2 inches. But this is a fish i like to call a hidden giant. The reason these fish "die easily' is only because they are almost never given the proper care. They are usually given to a child with zero experience and put into bowls that are no larger than a gallon. Most Goldfish can easily reach 6 inches to a foot and are recommended for large tanks of 30 gallons or more.


Freshwater sharks

     Most pet stores carry freshwater sharks and they seem to be only a few inches. The pet store is actually selling you a baby, and these sharks can get to be very large. Most freshwater sharks are actually part of the minnow family. They are called sharks only because of there pointed fin or large size and aggression which makes them look like a shark. 

Bala Shark

Scientific Name: Balantiochelios melanopterus
Location In Wild: Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo
Maximum Size: 14 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallon


Iridescent Shark

Scientific Name: Pangasius hypophthalmus (actually a type of catfish)
Location In Wild: Thailand
Maximum Size: 47 inches 
Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallon

Others




Tinfoil Barb

Scientific Name: Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Location In Wild: Rivers in Asia
Maximum Size: 14 inches 
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallon 


 Red Belly Pacu

Scientific Name: Piaractus brachypomus
Location In Wild: Amazon Basin
Maximum Size: 3ft
Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons


Tiger Oscar

Scientific Name: Astronotus ocellatus
Location In Wild: South America
Maximum Size: 14 inches
Minimum Tank Size: Some say 55 gallon but I recommend 75 gallons for a happy long life.








Pictures Courtesy of:
odensezoo.dk
Aquariumlife.net
dreamstime.com
hynpoikanikan.blogspot.com
fishinfo.wordpress.com
teakdoor.com
flickriver.com
tropical-fish-pictures.com
monsterfishkeepers.com
normalaquatics.com