FIRST, ID LIKE TO ASK ABOUT OUR STRIPPED RAFAEL CATFISH. WE KNOW WE ARENT MISSING ANY FISH SO ITS NOT EATTING THE OTHERS. WEVE HAD IT FOR APPROX. 2 WKS. AND IT HAS GOTTEN NOTICABLLY FATTER. WE BELIEVE IT TO BE PREGNANT,OR EATTING THE GRAVEL ONE OR THE OTHER,WERE NOT OVER FEEDING IT. WEVE BEEN TOLD ITS UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO BREED IN CAPTIVITY. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? ALSO

IF IT WERE PREGNANT WILL THE EGGS HATCH OR DOES IT NEED A MALETO FERTILIZE IT OR ARE THEY ALREADY FERTILIZED? ALSO HOW LONG IS A FISH PREGNANT AND HOW LONG FOR EGGS TO HATCH? ALSO WE HAVE A 3 GALLON TANK WITH 5 TINY FISH AND 2 SMALL FISH AND 3 BIG FISH, 10 IN ALL, HOW BAD IS THIS?

MARYANN EAST

Mary Ann,

It is highly doubtful that your Raphael cat is pregnant. It is unusual for

them to breed in captivity, especially in a 3-gallon tank.

This situation is grave. Without knowing what the other fish are, one can

assume you have way too many fish in this tank. The large size may be due

to “bloat.” This fish alone should be kept ina minimum of a 20-gallon tank.

As it grows, it will consume the other fish in your tank. The

recommendation here would be to get a larger tank at once or return some of

your fish for credit at your local fish store. You should also get yourself

a basic aquarium fish book (there are many here.) We highly recommend

responsible fishkeeping. You have many issues at work here, and all of them

are negative. The tank is too small, the tank is overstocked, the tank

mates are not suitable, and chances are they require different water

parameters.

I hope this helps. Once you have done these things, your fishkeeping

experience should be more fulfilling for you and your fish.

Aquariaman  

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