Striped Catfish Review: A Fishy Tale

My Sneaky Som: A Tale of a Mischievous Fish

summarizeEditor's Summary

I gotta say, getting a striped catfish from the pet store was a wild ride. It's been a few weeks now, and I'm still learning about these mischievous fish. They're fast, skittish, and love to hide. I'm really impressed with their build quality and battery life – I mean, they can swim around for hours without getting tired! But, it's not all fun and games. I've had some issues with ease of use and customer support, which I'll get into below.

settingsSpecifications

KararIyi

HikayeKalitesi9/10

TasarimVeGorsel7/10

BaliklarinSaglikDurumu8/10

My Sneaky Som: A Tale of a Mischievous Fish

I recently got a striped catfish from our local pet store, and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride ever since. My husband and I decided to visit the pet store and pick up three different species of catfish. One of them was a striped catfish, which was relatively small and cost 100 rubles. I had never had a catfish before, so this was a new experience for me.

The striped catfish turned out to be quite fast and skittish, hiding away whenever we approached. We bought a large container, and it quickly became his favorite hiding spot.

Activity picked up in the evening, and it wasn't a catfish at all - it was a torpedo! Its speed was lightning-fast, and it would sometimes bump into the rocks (although there were no sharp edges). At night, you could hear it moving the rocks around.

I loved its whiskers, with four pairs, and I started calling it Kitten. I couldn't determine its age.

After some time, we went back to the pet store, looking to buy an amur catfish, and saw some small barbs for sale at 25 rubles each. We ended up buying eight of them. I just loved these little fish!

I put them in a small tank to let them grow, and when they were big enough, I decided to transfer them to the main tank. I was a bit nervous, but they quickly settled in and started swimming together as a school. It was beautiful to watch!

But the next morning, I woke up and started counting the fish in the tank. I had five barbs left! What happened to the others? I thought to myself. One of the catfish had a big mouth, another had a suction cup, and the others were just too big for the barbs to swallow. So, I thought, maybe the catfish had eaten them all.

But the next night was a different story. In the morning, I counted the fish again, and this time, I had only two barbs left! I couldn't believe it. Then I saw the striped catfish swimming around with a huge belly. It was him! He wasn't the shy, skittish fish I thought he was - he was a nighttime predator!

I took a closer look at his mouth, and it was big enough to swallow a barb whole. I realized that at night, when all the other fish were sleeping, the striped catfish was active and could easily catch and eat any fish that fit into its mouth.

I was pretty mad at the catfish, but I couldn't get rid of it. It lived in the tank for another three years, growing bigger and bigger. Eventually, it developed a huge belly and died. To be honest, I'm still not sure what caused its death, but I think it might've been due to eating too many fish. Our tank was 80 liters big, but I guess that wasn't enough for this guy.

I'd definitely recommend this striped catfish to anyone who has a large tank and doesn't have any small fish that it could eat. Just be aware of its true nature!

Looking back, I realize that I should've done more research on the striped catfish before buying it. I didn't know about its nocturnal nature and its tendency to eat smaller fish. But hey, I learned a valuable lesson from this experience.

Now, I'm way more careful when choosing fish for my tank. I make sure to research their behavior, habitat, and dietary needs before bringing them home. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

So, if you're thinking of getting a striped catfish, make sure you have a large tank and a variety of fish that can coexist peacefully. And don't say I didn't warn you!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

How do I care for my striped catfish?

First and foremost, make sure you're providing them with a healthy diet and plenty of space to swim. You should also change their water regularly and make sure their tank is clean and well-maintained.

Why is my striped catfish hiding all the time?

Striped catfish are naturally skittish and love to hide. It's just their nature! If you're concerned, try providing them with plenty of hiding spots and making sure their tank is secure.

How do I get my striped catfish to eat their food?

Try feeding them a variety of foods, including pellets and live or frozen foods. You can also try placing their food in different locations around their tank to make mealtime more interesting.

Can striped catfish be kept in a community tank?

Yes, but make sure you're providing plenty of space and hiding spots for each fish. It's also a good idea to introduce them slowly and under close supervision.

How often should I clean my striped catfish's tank?

You should change their water regularly and clean their tank at least once a week. This will help keep them healthy and happy!

What are some common health issues in striped catfish?

Some common health issues in striped catfish include obesity, fin nipping, and respiratory problems. Make sure you're providing them with a healthy diet and plenty of space to swim to help prevent these issues.

Can I keep striped catfish in a small tank?

It's not recommended to keep striped catfish in a small tank. They need plenty of space to swim and can become stressed if they're confined to a small space.

How do I know if my striped catfish is happy and healthy?

Look for signs of stress or illness, such as labored breathing, lethargy, or changes in appetite. You should also make sure they're eating well and swimming around their tank regularly.

check_circlePros

•The striped catfish is super fast and can swim around for hours without getting tired.
•It's really easy to care for, and the build quality is top-notch.
•I love watching them hide in their favorite spots – it's like they're playing a game of hide-and-seek!
•They're relatively low maintenance, which is perfect for busy owners like me.
•I've noticed that they're really good at adapting to their environment, which is impressive.
•The price point is great value for money – I got three fish for under 300 rubles!

cancelCons

•They can be a bit skittish and hard to handle, especially when they're first introduced to their tank.
•I've had some issues with ease of use – it took me a while to figure out how to get them to eat their food.
•Customer support from the pet store has been a bit lacking – I had to call them a few times to get help with a problem.
•I've noticed that they can be a bit prone to obesity if they don't get enough exercise.
•It's a bit of a challenge to keep their tank clean, especially when they produce a lot of waste.
•I've had some issues with shipping – the fish arrived a bit stressed out, which was a concern.