FishProfiles.com Message Forums

so tell me about them. my lfs has some, and they look kinda cute. i am changeing my opoions on them, b/c the tank they are in, as all kinds of common community fish. so i am guessing they dont zap andthing, until they touch the net.

Dispite the electricity, electric cats are pretty boring. They can get up to 3 feet long, but like alot of cats, they're very sluggish, so a 120 - 150 gallon would be a good minimum tank size. As far as compatibility, they are the kind of fish that belongs in a 1-fish species tank. They will eat prepared foods like worms and beef-heart.
I personally am not a fan of them. They are nocturnal and you will probably never see them or their famous electricity - unless you are unfortunate enough to get zapped. And, that is something you DO NOT want.
Personally, I think that a 150 gallon could be put to better use, but here is some info if you do decide to get a cat.

ok, they are haveing a catfish sale, so when i got tomorrow to pick up some hoplos, might check out the cats.

I too like zapping fish. Like this cat but I dont know how u can change water with out getting a shocking experiance . Which I hate the most.

They are pretty much like any catfish... They just hide all day and will eat whatever fish can fit in their mouths. When cleaning the tank, do not disturb the catfish.

Their electric charges are voluntary, so as long as they feel comfortable they won't shock anything. If you have a lot of time and care, it would actually be worthwhile to hand-tame these guys so they do not see humans as threat in will be less likely to shock you if you need to do something with the tank.

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

dont forget rubber gloves

Well while they're small, they're pretty harmless.

I believe even adults are unable to produce a large enough shock to kill a human.

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

i was reading up on that yesterday, that young ones u can hold without too much shock, but the big ones are "knock u off your feet".

though it had me concerned, b/c it didn't move to much, but then at night time, he was alittle bit more active. but this morning i saw him feeding off of the food i left him yesterday night.

another question popped in my head

the same article said to keep them seperate, b/c they are danagerous to eachother with the shock factor. is this right, and at the store they were with community fish, so what are some tank mates that can live with it, when young.

Last edited by bettachris at 02-Sep-2005 18:02

As long as the tank is huge and there are enough hiding places for each fish to have its own, then I see no problem with keeping multiple specimens together.

They are peaceful with anything that they cannot swallow, and you don't want to keep them with anything that will harass them or take their hiding places (for the aggressor's sake).

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

see thats what i dont get, one was hiding next to about 12 rahpael cats, and they didn't get shocked, but i dont get that, b/c the scales must rumb against the cat, and it doesn't shock them. they were doing ok with tiger loaches, and hoplo cats under the heater.


and the stupid guy, got it in the net, but when it was being followed, he didn't shock, the guy took the net, and was turning it over to add the fish to the container, and he grabbed it, and it shocked him


also would it be safe to add to an arfican cichlid tank, or is it a bad idea, also if i put it into a smaller container in the tank, and he shocked, would the other fishes in the tank feel it? and also is it dangerous to bigger fishes. he is only 2.5 inches, is that still a dangerous amount of electricity.

Last edited by bettachris at 02-Sep-2005 20:56

if i were to get raphael cats, could they be ok in the same bag? i plan on getting one more tomorrow.

I'd put them in seperate bags just to be careful.

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.