CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

S.C. Family Makes 50-Pound Catfish a Pet
July 12, 2005 6:43 AM EDT

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.