Bat Fish

Anyone have experience with these? I don't know if I can keep one in my tank as it's only 26 gallons.

 

Hey there duck!

I have had one of each variety of batfish in my early aquarium life with little success. I could get them to feed for a few weeks but they would die for unknown reasons.

That variety shown in the foto is a very large specimen called an Obicular Batfish, and can grow up to 1' 10" which is pretty big. They grown quickly and are tall thus they require a very large tank, so therefore IMO I would strongly reccomend you do not try to keep one.

If you get a bigger tank, then they are a wonderful show-piece of an aquarium.

Cheers,

Breed

 

Hmmmm.... I have a "show" tank which is tall and wide, but not deep.

Any truth to the myth I hear about fish not growing bigger than their environment?

 

In some instances, a fish will not grow to as big as it normally attains in the wild due to ristrictions. Im not 100% sure on this so correct me if i am wrong, however i believe that once a fish gets to the border limit of getting too large for the tank, it will not stop growing however it will actually slow down.

The recommended size for those fish are 180G. Is your show tank big enough?

 

180 gallons? Yeah, probablly not.

 

I live in queensland Aust. on the coast and we fish for the same species as shown on a regular basis.It might upset some people but they are an excellent eating fish.Im talking 4lb.+ and the biggest I've seen was over 20lb.How big is your tank?

 

Not big enough for one of those!!!!

What about a Koran Angel and a Long Horned Cowfish?

I heard that the Koran Angel was difficult, but I like those Cowfish!! Way too cool.

 

I dont know a whole lot about bat fish, but I do know they are some what difficult to feed. And I think you tank is way to small to keep any bat fish.

 

lol, you posted before me, .

 

I found with these fish that any detectable traces if Nitrate and they where dead.. like with Moorish idols they huff any NO'3s and poof fish down.. Other then that once toy get them to feed and they do fine .. I think most feed their tanks so heavy when they first get them i hopes of seeing them eat that they cause the NO'3 spike ..