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Flathead catfish fry

Started by Guest_Pactolus_* , Jun 20 2012 04:15 AM

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13 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Pactolus_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 04:15 AM

I live in Kentucky, and I'm wanting to get back into native fish keeping, and KY is a great state for collecting. I'm interested in catching a Flathead catfish fry and raising it to adulthood. I know other catfish can be caught pretty easily by dipnetting in shallow areas, but I'm wandering if flatheads are any different because I've heard they're a more deep water fish.

Thanks.

#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 07:14 AM

Do you have the space to accommodate a fully grown flathead catfish?

#3 Guest_Pactolus_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 07:57 AM

When it gets too big to house in a 300 gallon aquarium I'll let it go in a small lake on my property. I've also been tossing around the idea of making a new pond just for it.

#4 Guest_dafrimpster_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 08:02 AM

They are delicious.

#5 Guest_Drew_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 09:56 AM

You're in KY and you want to keep a flathead catfish? There are so many other interesting species than flathead catfish...

#6 Guest_Dustin_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 11:22 AM

I agree with Drew on this. There are some amazing fish in KY. If you must have a flathead, juveniles tend to hang out in relatively shaller water, often times in riffles. This is odd but this is my experience.

#7 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 02:58 PM

My experience is the same as Dustin's, every juvenile flathead I have found was while kicking riffles. First time I found one it took me a while to realize what it was. I was thinking madtom.

#8 Guest_Pactolus_*

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Posted 20 June 2012 - 10:16 PM

You're in KY and you want to keep a flathead catfish? There are so many other interesting species than flathead catfish...

The idea of a large bottom dwelling aggressive predator is appealing to me. I know that alot of KY collectors focus on stuff like darters, sunfish, and various minnows, but catfish, gar, and bowfin are more interesting to me.

#9 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 21 June 2012 - 12:58 AM

Emphasis on large. Good luck.

#10 Guest_Pactolus_*

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Posted 21 June 2012 - 07:26 AM

Are there any other predators that don't get larger than a couple feet? I've been thinking of a Rock Bass too.

#11 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 21 June 2012 - 07:29 AM

Are there any other predators that don't get larger than a couple feet?

Yes! Hundreds.

here is a green sunfish eating guppies:

#12 Guest_gerald_*

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Posted 21 June 2012 - 11:21 AM

Stonecat might be just what you're looking for. It's actually a large madtom, grows to about a foot, attitude like a flathead.

#13 Guest_Texas2Montana_*

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Posted 06 May 2014 - 10:31 PM

From what I have observed Flathead Catfish are pretty docile in the aquarium. They mostly lay around motionless-- and occasionally eat that which passes within reasonable distance that will fit in its mouth...

Chris

#14 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 06 May 2014 - 11:29 PM

I believe one could keep a flathead for quite some time in a fairly large aquarium. They are apparently slow growing compared to channel catfish or they would be aquacultured. Or maybe it is due to a reluctance to take pelleted feed. They certainly taste much better. Their life could end in a frying pan.