"Catfish" and "Goldfish"

In the realm of exotic pet enthusiasts, few stories capture the imagination like the creation of new breeds. This journey began with two remarkable fishing cats, Catfish and Goldfish, whose union laid the foundation for this unique hybrid breed. Here's a deeper look into how it all started.

The Spark of an Idea

While working on a web project with a virtual team from India, the group was playing catch up just before the meeting began. One team member had recently returned from a vacation where he and his family believed they had seen what he referred to as a "Mach Bagral." Describing it as a small, elusive cat known for stealing fish from fishermen, his tale piqued my interest. As an avid admirer of wild cats, with over 20 years of experience owning African servals and frequent visits to the local zoo to marvel at the clouded leopards, I was immediately captivated. A quick Google search led me to the fishing cat.

Clouded leopards and fishing cats share several physical similarities. Both have a stocky build, small round ears, and a powerful presence. Traits that are in stark contrast to the African Serval. The fishing cat, with its dense, water-repellent fur and webbed paws, seemed like a more distant, aquatic cousin of the clouded leopard. Intrigued, I continued my research and ultimately searched for an available kitten.

The Acquisition of Goldfish

While perusing a site similar to www.exoticpetcommunity.com, I stumbled upon an ad for a young male fishing cat. Without hesitation, I reached out and soon acquired this beautiful feline. The previous owner was relocating and needed to rehome all her outdoor pets. To my surprise, this scared and aggressive "male" turned out to be a female, whom we named "Goldfish."

Goldfish had a rough start, unaccustomed to human interaction beyond an occasional chicken leg tossed into her pen. It took months of patience and reassurance to help her adjust to her new surroundings. However, it became clear that Goldfish would never thrive as an indoor pet.

Enter Catfish

Realizing Goldfish needed a companion, I soon acquired a male kitten we named "Catfish." Raised indoors alongside our kids and house cats, Catfish was sociable and well-adjusted. We began introducing him to Goldfish regularly. By the time Catfish was four months old, the two were spending extended periods together, eventually becoming inseparable.

The Breeding Challenge

Years passed, and despite their close bond, Goldfish and Catfish had not produced any kittens. We meticulously reviewed their diet, environment, and health, ensuring everything was optimal for breeding. When no issues were found, we turned our attention to Catfish's fertility.

To test this, we paired Catfish with one of the indoor cats that he had grown up with. Before long, the first kitten was born— a half-domestic cat and half-fishing cat, a hybrid, resulting in the birth of our first F1 Water Leopard.

Be sure to stay tuned, much more to come....