SIZE INFOGRAPHIC

3m Kings of the tankbusters What starts life as small may become unmanageably large in your aquarium. Nathan Hill offers a chilling warning.

umbering almost 32,000 known some true freshwater leviathans, such as the appear unrealistically big when seen this way. species, fish make up the world’s now endangered yet imposing Mekong giant Many aquarists aspire to keep fish such as the largest group of vertebrates. catfish, the Pla beuk. This is not seen in the Mbu puffer, but do we really have the space for Surprisingly, from such a huge trade, but the similarly intimidating Pangasius a fish that will grow as large as a small dog? Nselection, we still choose species that have little hypothalamus is still occasionally sold, often by The sizes indicated here are close to true or no use in the home aquarium. some unwitting retailers to some equally representation, but not exact. Usually, we would Typically, the strongest reason for fish unwitting newcomers. not include the caudal (tail) fin in 88% unsuitability is ultimate size. After all, a lot of It can be hard to gauge just how big these fish measurements of length, but here have left them get very large… are without some form of comparison, so I have them in. Size references are given on Fishbase. ...of the fish Ask yourself how big each of the fish in your included a man of 1.83m/6’ height as a de, but other sources may note differences tank would become. Would your guess be benchmark. When you can see how he’s erring on the smaller side. highlighted on these correct for every one? dwarfed by some of our pets, the reality hits The smallest fish illustrated here is the South Sometimes, even the most innocuous- home. Clearly some should stay in their rivers American Candiru at full potential adult size. pages are readily 2m looking species can be more than a handful. of origin — not our 120 x 60 x 60cm/48 x 24 x This famously invades the urinary tracts of Take the irresistibly cute baby Oscar. Many an 24” aquariums. humans and seeing it compared this way is aquarist has been captivated by the juvenile Even some fish not considered true giants enough to make the eyes water! available to the charms of these pretty fish which simply brim with character — only to find, months later, industry – and one that a solitary, boisterous resident is rapidly outgrowing its home. “Do we really have the space for a fish of those exceptions Just how large can some typical giants grow? I’ve compared regular hobby fish alongside that will grow as large as a small dog?” is the smallest here...

1m

0m

shark cat, 1234567890 1234567890 PFK Alligator gar, 305cm Mekong cat, 300cm. Human, 183cm Red-tailed catfish, Pangasius Indonesian Clown knifefish, Tiger shovelnose, Ripsaw (Niger) African lungfish, Silver arowana,Tyretrack eel, 90cmGiant gourami, Mbu puffer, 70cm Black pacu, 70cm Common plec,Oscar, 45.7cmClown loach,Candiru, 30cm 17cm 134cm 130cm snakehead, 130cm 122cm 104cm catfish, 100cm 100cm 90cm 70cm 50cm [[1L]] To subscribe go to www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk To subscribe go to www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk [[2R]]