Barracuda at a LFS for sale?

Pola0502ds · May 11, 2016

Honest question, just saw a 7" barracuda at my LFS for sale, should they even be selling these to people like us? I dont think there is home aquarium large enough to house this fish unless your name is Bill Wann. I remember deep sea fishing and these fish would constantly snap my line because of their teeth and they get massive!

What other fish or aquarium related animal have you seen for sale at your LFS that you questioned?

Davesgt · May 11, 2016

Im a keeper of large freshwater fish, but once you get so big you gotta question whats too big. Ive seen Arapima for sale and would love to have one but I don't think keeping one in anything under 2000G would be healthy, unless its pure rescue.

Wilsoni · May 11, 2016

Truth is, anything that can fit in an aquarium, usually makes it's way to one. I've seen Barracuda's come up on lists for quite some time now... I believe LiveAquaria used to sell them back in the day among other large fish that should truly be limited to the wild... If I remember right the tank requirements were rated at 500 gallons.

When I first got in the hobby at the age of 12, there were crazy exotic species available which I never see pop up any more, (multi-colored Nudibranchs, Blue Ring Octopus ect.) I had a 50 gallon burial yard setup which was all trial and error. I can't believe the LFS actually let me buy half of what I did.

The day I saw a Torpedo Ray, AKA the Electric Ray at an LFS I had to have it... Took it home in a 5 gallon bucket, tossed it in with minimal acclimation and it lasted surprisingly longer than it should've. Nearly 6 months in my 50 gallon... I still feel bad about my ignorance but I do believe I've learned a lot from my mistakes and it has helped tremendously to have learned early on.

Pola0502ds · May 11, 2016

I believe its because most people don't see fish like they see a cat or dog...

I forgot to post a pic. Its obviously pretty cool to see one in a tank. The one i saw looked like it was suspended in mid air so to speak, not moving. If its gills wernt moving you wouldnt know it was real.

Davesgt · May 11, 2016

Beautiful fish

AdamNC · May 11, 2016

I've seen these on the reefs before averaging 5-6 ft easy. No way these should be easily accessible to the average aquarist due to the fact they grow really fast.

Pola0502ds · May 11, 2016

That picture, thats exactly. How. It looked. The entire. Time. Didnt move at all.

cu455 · May 11, 2016

I have no problem with fish like these being for sale.

WilRams · May 11, 2016

ooof I hate when I'm snorkeling and they just sit like that staring at me. Seeing one take off at full speed is quite impressive and scary at the same time. Nope nope nope

FL_Reefer · May 11, 2016

There readily available if you want one, I personally would get one but they do grow fast! Like said above it is a very weird feeling when there are a few around you when diving but they don't really bother you much in the wild asking as you don't have anything shinny on, lol

Kershaw · May 11, 2016

They actually get up to 7feet. I don't think 500 gallons would do it. I think it's cool that we can get them. There are people that have tanks big enough for them. Sadly I am not one of them. I dislike the argument of what we should and shouldn't be allowed to have because there are plenty of people that think we shouldn't have clown fish even if tank raised.

Elegance Coral · May 12, 2016

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...McD_n8yveGGqsDlBQ&bvm=bv.121658157,bs.1,d.eWE

There are multiple species of barracuda. Not all of them reach the large sizes mentioned in this thread. For the record, I do not know the species of the fish pictured above.

Reef Cheetah · May 12, 2016

Pola0502ds said:
Honest question, just saw a 7" barracuda at my LFS for sale, should they even be selling these to people like us? I dont think there is home aquarium large enough to house this fish unless your name is Bill Wann. I remember deep sea fishing and these fish would constantly snap my line because of their teeth and they get massive!

What other fish or aquarium related animal have you seen for sale at your LFS that you questioned?

Reef Cheetah · May 12, 2016

Having worked at a local aquarium, I can say that barracuda display stress...injure themselves, and is quite literally like keeping a cheetah in your bathroom....uncool

Wilsoni · May 12, 2016

Reef Cheetah said:
Having worked at a local aquarium, I can say that barracuda display stress...injure themselves, and is quite literally like keeping a cheetah in your bathroom....uncool

That's a good way to put it! BTW welcome

Pola0502ds · May 12, 2016

WilRams said:
ooof I hate when I'm snorkeling and they just sit like that staring at me. Seeing one take off at full speed is quite impressive and scary at the same time. Nope nope nope

OMG, I can only imagine!

Regikier89 · May 12, 2016

@chrishtown7755 awesome!

AlexG · May 12, 2016

Some stuff is best left in the ocean. Next thing you know they will have a Dorado, Wahoo, or Yellowfin tuna at the store. I think that this was a poor choice for a LFS to bring this fish in. I think it is cool looking but keeping fish like this should be left to public aquariums or people that can afford to properly house a fish that gets to this size.

Wilsoni · May 12, 2016

I'm just waiting for my LFS to bring in a Mahi Mahi. Once it outgrows the tank, he will serve a second purpose... On my dinner plate that is

Bumgrundle · May 12, 2016

WilRams said:
ooof I hate when I'm snorkeling and they just sit like that staring at me. Seeing one take off at full speed is quite impressive and scary at the same time. Nope nope nope

I dove the Duane in the keys quite a few years ago, on your way down to the deck at about 50 or 60 feet, you pass the crows nest, which on my dive there were no less than 30 full size monsters alot in the 5'+ range. As you're descending and Ascending, They really lock eyes with you and are completely still. Spooky but so exhilarating. One of the best dives of my life.