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I was wondering if anyone knew anything about a walking catfish and what is the growth rate of Clown Knife fish and what should I feed one?

My old clown knife grew more than a foot in its first year on live foods. I traded him to a local fish store at about 18 months and it was nearly 2 feet long. They grow very fast. I really do not recommend them for 95% of home aquariums. But if you have a 400 gallon, best of luck.

I have no experience with the walking catfish.

I concur with the clown knife, they grow very very large. Is the walking catfish you mention by any chance a mudskipper? I really don't know of any other fish that might fit the bill...

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

No, walking catfish are Clarias species (some of them are really really really cool-looking, calico even). They get big, and I understand it's fast, but I don't know the speed specifics.

-Molly
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I don't know the answer to either question, but there's always opportunity to learn something new, isn't there? According to a few sites I found...

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/WalkingCatfish/WalkingCatfish.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/animals/catfish.html
http://www.seremban.net/fishcorner/fc220199.htm

Walking catfish can get about 2' in length, but just over a foot is more common. They're noctournal and are omnivorous. They live in very slow moving or even stagnant water and are best kept with larger species, as they will probably eat anything they can fir in their mouths.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/cl-knife.htm
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gcknife.html
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=43

Sounds like clown knifefish are predatory and do best on live foods. They also get very VERY large.

]<]Dani<]<

[span class="edited"][Edited by gartenzwerfe 2004-09-01 20:05][/span]

I was going to say something about the Walking Catfish being illegal, but your Canadian, so that doesn't apply...:%) Both species are hardy. You throw'em in the tank, do your maintenance, feed them regularly, and they'll grow on ya. Not much to their care, but obviously you need a big tank, such as a 180 gallon for when they are less than about 2' long.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Walking cats can be quite aggressive, too...biting chunks out of large tankmates.