Family Catches 50 Pound Catfish - Keeps It As Family Pet

[matcom]

<snip>

SIX MILE, S.C. --A recent fishing trip netted a new pet for a South Carolina family. Clarence Reid and two young family members were fishing at Hartwell Lake recently when they hooked a 50-pound flathead catfish. Instead of a trip to the skillet, the family decided to keep the prehistoric-looking fish in a huge decorative pond.

"We were catching little ones and the big one, nothing in between," Reid said.

The fish now swims in exotic surroundings that include palm trees, a waterfall and a swimming hole containing more than 2,100 gallons of water.

Reid's wife, Deborah, said the fish is ugly but it can stay.

As for its diet: Clarence Reid plans to feed the fish dog food. He also has some concerns about how well it will get along with other pets -- dogs, cats and a goat -- that enjoy playing in the sand and plants surrounding the pond.

"I'm afraid if it gets too big what might happen to the cats," Reid joked.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/07/12/sc_family_makes_50_pound_catfish_a_pet?mode=PF

[Zuni]

1. I like that story

that is pretty cool

:thumbsup:

[shrike]

2. Cool

Too bad it wouldn't fit in my pond. All I can keep in there is goldfish -- and a raccoon just walked off with my last batch the other night. Four plump, beautiful carp -- gone in one fell swoop. Now I've got to grow a whole new batch.

However, my pond has a really cool frog. He's huge now, probably a bull. He rules the roost.