The PlanetCatfish coolwall thread

[Jools]

I've been meaning to launch this idea for ages, although it's just a borrowing of the Top Gear coolwall idea. Let's see how it goes. I'm going to add to the section two cool walls, one for general fishkeeping and one for catfish. They're manual things for now and you will see how they work once we go for a month of two. I will add one item to each cool wall per month?

So, what is a cool wall? Well, I can do no better than quote the web, "If you know Top Gear you'll know the Cool Wall. It's the bit where the presenters argue about which cars are cool or not and Clarkson says something about a Vauxhall Nova being like the anus of a squid, that kind of thing."

So, basically, in the first few days of a month you chaps chose something, it might be a species, a genus or a bit of kit of whatever. I then chose one that we want to debate. We then spend the month debating whether it is Sub Zero, Cool, Uncool or Seriously Uncool. Then I make a decision where it goes on the cool wall. This will be built up graphically and stored on the site. Simple.

Actually, it's not, but you will get the hang of it if a bunch of idiots join in.

So, what the first item? One for the catfish wall and one for the other???

Jools

[Dave Rinaldo]

Actually, it's not, but you will get the hang of it if a bunch of idiots join in.

So, what the first item? One for the catfish wall and one for the other???

Jools

I'll be the first idiot!

Catfish wall.

[RickE]

I like the idea Jools, but aren't all catfish cool by default?

[Jools]

Catfish wall what? OK, I've probably not explained this well, what (species?) are you proposing for the catfish wall?

Jools

[Jools]

I like the idea Jools, but aren't all catfish cool by default?

How cool? And, actually, are they all cool? I think perhaps some "Hypeancistrus" might not be in the sub zero category...

[RickE]

OK, how about the redtail for the catfish wall?

[Jools]

OK, how about the redtail for the catfish wall?

The South American Red Tail? Yeah, that's not a bad suggestion at all - start with an easy one!

Jools

[Dave Rinaldo]

Catfish wall what? OK, I've probably not explained this well, what (species?) are you proposing for the catfish wall?

Jools

I'm going to add to the section two cool walls, one for general fishkeeping and one for catfish.

I thought you meant which wall to start with

[mummymonkey]

OK, how about the redtail for the catfish wall?

The South American Red Tail? Yeah, that's not a bad suggestion at all - start with an easy one!

Jools

Uncool.

Has a stupid-looking grin on a stupid-looking face. Fishermen also outwit them all the time so it must therefore be thick as mince.

[Richard B]

It's a supercool fish but should not be in the aquarium trade as it is unsuitable for the home aquarium so seriously uncool!

[Richard B]

@ Jools - following on from precedents set on the Top Gear Coolwall, if any of the Mods own the nominated fish, does that mean it is automatically uncool?

[MatsP]

@ Jools - following on from precedents set on the Top Gear Coolwall, if any of the Mods own the nominated fish, does that mean it is automatically uncool?

I thought that was only if it wasn't the Admin (/Mr Clarkson/) himself...

--
Mats

[MatsP]

@ Jools - following on from precedents set on the Top Gear Coolwall, if any of the Mods own the nominated fish, does that mean it is automatically uncool?

I thought that was only if it wasn't the Admin (/Mr Clarkson/) himself...

And my vote is for "Uncool" - with extremely few exceptions, only idiots buy Red Tail Catfish, and later on post here to wonder why they are not eating when they are 18" long in a 55g tank. And then don't understand why we can't understand how they are stupid enough to believe they could ever care for the fish throughout it's life...

--
Mats

[Birger]

only idiots buy Red Tail Catfish,

Should rephrase that to Idiots sell these to uninformed people by using phrases like only grows to 8 inches or will only grow to the size of your tank, we have all heard them.

[racoll]

I think this might clear up any confusion for folks who aren't familiar with the Top Gear cool wall.



Oh, and redtail catfish = "uncool".

I don't think any catfish in its natural form should be considered "seriously uncool". That category should be reserved for dyed, albino, veiltail, balloon and hybrid catfishes, but that's a debate for another day .

[RickE]

I have to disagree. It's the fish we are discussing here, not the people who keep them. The fish is sub-zero.

[RickE]

Oh, and for the equipment wall, how about this:

http://www.fluvalblog.com/g-series/

[MatsP]

I have to disagree. It's the fish we are discussing here, not the people who keep them. The fish is sub-zero.

Well, I agree. On the other hand, this is a website for KEEPERS of catfish primarily - and then they are uncool.

--
Mats

[Jools]

Yup, it is the fish here we are placing on the wall, not the brigade that attempt to keep them. However, in the spirit of Top Gear, one does also take into account the type of person that drives the car and so than plan is also to mention the keepers. You also have to consider what the car is like to drive (or fish is like to keep) and upkeep/maintain.

I think the fish is uncool. It's too flashy, and as big cats go, looks fat and garish. There are so many cool big cats and you just can't keep this in a sensible tank. It might out live its keeper and it's also too cheap!

The other thing to bear in mind is that not all catfish can be cool and sub zero.

Jools

[Jools]

Oh, and for the equipment wall, how about this:

http://www.fluvalblog.com/g-series/

That's a good one - anyone actually using one of these?

Jools

[RickE]

The other thing to bear in mind is that not all catfish can be cool and sub zero.

Jools

No, I agree, but I still think the Redtail is a cracking fish. I'd definitely have one if I could house it responsibly. To use the Top Gear analogy, we can't all drive Lamborghinis, but it doesn't stop them being cool.

Edit: Actually, I don't suppose you can really compare a Redtail to a Lambo. Bentley maybe?

[Jools]

Actually, the Lambo was uncool on Top Gear. Anyway, I'd call the red tail a Chrysler myself. Still don't see why you think it's cool rather - that's part of all this - you've got to sell it to us!

Jools

[RickE]

- that's part of all this - you've got to sell it to us!Jools

Yep, it's all good fun!
OK... it epitomises 'catfish'. I think it's an extremely handsome fish, but then 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' which is just as well or we'd all be keeping guppies. It reaches an impressive size, so you win in the 'top speed'discussions.

[Uncool. Has a stupid-looking grin on a stupid-looking face. Fishermen also outwit them all the time so it must therefore be thick as mince.

I think it has a cheeky, amiable (but perhaps not too bright) smile and I don't think there are many (non-suckermouth) catfish that would be difficult to outwit. It quickly becomes hand-tame. You don't know many people (any people?) that have one and it's expensive to run and keep, just as 'supercars' should be.

[mummymonkey]

...I don't think there are many (non-suckermouth) catfish that would be difficult to outwit.

Have you looked at the guy holding the fish in the linked picture? He can't even dress himself.

[Richard B]

...I don't think there are many (non-suckermouth) catfish that would be difficult to outwit.

Have you looked at the guy holding the fish in the linked picture? He can't even dress himself.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ah quality......

[Jools]

...I don't think there are many (non-suckermouth) catfish that would be difficult to outwit.

Have you looked at the guy holding the fish in the linked picture? He can't even dress himself.

BWFWFFW! Well, that's some coffee on the flat screen then! That's the banter we are looking for. And why exactly has someone stocked a lake in Thailand (?) with this thing anyway! I know it's not the fishes fault, but...

Jools

[DutchFry]

I think the redtail catfish is a cool catfish.

here in Holland we have a zoo called Artis, they have a huge tank called the flooded forest, which is at least 15 meters in length:

http://www.artis.nl/main.php?pagina=pag ... edbos.html

there are some Pacu and Arowana in there, and of course the red tail catfish. in such a setting it's just a very beautiful fish. Visitors always get excited when they see the catfish.

from a 'normal' keepers point of view, it's just unsuitable. but I think for many of us this is a real fish to dream about!

edit: oh, and then the fisherman pic I didn't even noticed the first time i clicked the link, but hahaha that's just priceless.

[Jools]

Yeah, but there are sooo many cooler big cats.

Jools

[DutchFry]

I know, but aren't we discussing the red tail now?

It's not my favorite either, I would choose B. tigrinum or B. yarelli in the category of monster catfish. But I can understand why the red tail is so popular among many fish keepers!

[catmar]

They have a rescued redtail at my local MA, I'm not a massive fan, but in a very large tank I agree they do look special. On balance, cool.
My wife looked at the fisherman pic and didn't even notice the fish, which is a bit worrying.