At first glance, you may find Sutchi catfish to be a peaceful little pet. The fish resembles a slender silver thing that hides at the shallows of the tank. However, don’t let its initial impression deceive you.
Understanding The True Size Of Sutchi Catfish
Deceptive Size and Rapid Growth Rate
The fish get realy big. While the juveniles fit on your palm, the adults can exceeds a bathtub size. Do not make a mistake buying one without knowing this fact: it look innocent but gets huge.
It is not just about final size. So why is this? It is not necessarily the final size, but rather the speed at which it will reach its adult size.
A lot of people get them and they do not realize how big it will actualy become or that it will take time. They want a pet that’s slow growing and can stay in their tank. But that doesn’t align with biology.
When a Sutchi catfish appears full, it won’t stop growing. And it will go on to outgrow typical home tanks. Why the confusion?
Why These Fish Are So Popular
What makes the species so sought after, and what can you do about it? It will cover the ethics of keeping them, how they should be kept proper, and what will happen if you don’t. Learn this information in advance so you can avoid problems down the road.
Protect native ecosystems by not releasing your unwanted fish back into the wild. There’s much more at stake then dollars and cents. And it’s beautiful.
With its long body, black top and pale underside, the Sutchi catfish is a popular species. Its dark-edged fins looks elegant and smart. In the brightly lit stores, this fish appears to be exotic and valuable.
Looks more desirable than common goldfish, doesn’t it? That beauty helps sell them. It’s a trap for many who buy.
But there’s one thing the store price doesn’t tell you. That price is for the first purchase alone. It does not include the lifetime care.
High Costs and Tank Requirements
Maintaining a fish are expensive. It takes a lot of water and big filtration systems. As the fish gets bigger, it generates more waste.
Your little ten gallon tank won’t cut it fastly. You’re not simply purchasing a fish. You’re embarking on a massive construction project.
The tank need to be reinforced so it can bears the weight. The filter needs to be heavy-duty, electricity usage goes up. The problem arises when many owners realize just how big this commitment is once the fish outgrows the tank.
At that point, the fish are stressed from living in such a small space. Colors fade and health deteriorates. Now the owner has a decision to make; either part with their beloved fish by finding it a new home, or shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a custom tank as large as a room.
The Problem of Unwanted Adult Fish
Few people have the space or money for the former. Many more struggle with the latter. Adult Sutchi catfish is virtually unadoptable.
Most other hobbyist don’t own tanks big enough to house one. Pet stores won’t accept returns on an adult fish. There’s a huge market for juvenile fish but no market for adults.
The result? There is a glut of unwanted fish. Some owners decide to simply let it go in their local waters thinking this is better than the fish.
Environmental Impact of Releasing Fish
They fail to realize that releasing these fish into the wild does far more environmental damage then good. They upset the food web, threaten native species and end up doing actual harm. It is a last ditch effort that do actual harm.
Planning Ahead for Responsible Ownership
The best thing to do is prevent. If you have a Sutchi catfish, know how fast it grow and compare it to the dimensions of your tank now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
While it is still manageable, begin planning out what you can do with it. Either move it to a public aquarium or plan for an upgrade. If you were considering purchasing one, think again.
There are plenty of small fish. The Sutchi catfish isn’t one of them. Don’t get me wrong.
It’s a magnificent creature. It is just not for your tank. This is a big river fish made by nature.
It’s a hard swimmer designed for long distances. Keeping it in a box doesn’t do anyone any good, it stresses the owner out and it’s cruel to the fish. You should of considered this.
If you recognize that up front, you’re saving lives. You save both the fish and keep our waterways free from invasive species. What you see at the store as a silver sliver is only a hint of what will be.
Respect that. Make a choice on a pet that works with your lifestyle and not against it. Otherwise, nobody wins.
The cute phase doesn’t last long. The big phase does. Choose wisely.
