48x 18 X 20 - How Many Red Bellys?

[simonas]

Just a passing thought really
I'm putting a tank the above size in my sons room, he currently has a smaller tank with channa orientalis tank in
This will be for stocking of his choice though and he wants bigger fish in their. Hes mentioned piranhas... as you would at nearly 7 yrs of age!! I'd be agreeable to that as how cool would it have been to have prianhas at thatage
anyways I'm aware these fish get big can you start with a group of these and do they pair like cichlids or could I keep maybe 4 inthere or in any event can you let me know how you would stock the tank and tips.

I have never kept red bellys before

 

[simonas]

used the search button and I think I know that answer to this now.... not enough room. pity but trying to think what else to out in there for him

 

[jonny_dw]

You could keep four in there mate for life, no problem. If your buying juveniles then I would say buy 6 as you will most likely loose a few and if not, simply sell them, but four for life in that tank is fine.

Do you know how to care for these fish?You will need big filtration, I'd recommend a filter such as fluval fx5, perfect for a shoal.

I doubt you will get any breeding, you may but I doubt it, you usually have to recreate the dry/wet season for that, wouldnt recommend it to a newbie.

 

[dave_oddballs]

so keeping 4 highly messy fish with the potential of 12" plus in a 4 foot tank is fine?
Difficult telling who's the newbie!
They are very unactive in groups less than around 10. Boredom would set in quite quickly!
I used to keep 6 in a five foot tank and was really boring fish to keep!
Although 4 foot is a reasonably sized tank you are still supprisingly restricted when it comes to large fish!
No way on this earth would i keep any number of pirhanas in a 4 foot tank!
David

 

[jonny_dw]

You dont know anything of my experience so I wouldnt suggest challenging it thank you. 4 foot is the MINIMUM for 4 adult reds for life. I didnt say ideal, its the MINIMUM. Ask on any piranha forum and you will be told the same.

Its completely different for wild pygo's but four adult tank bred red's is 4 foot x 18 x 18 minimum. It's rare a tank bred red will pass 12" anyway, most tank red's get to 10".

 

[simonas]

so keeping 4 highly messy fish with the potential of 12" plus in a 4 foot tank is fine?
Difficult telling who's the newbie!
They are very unactive in groups less than around 10. Boredom would set in quite quickly!
I used to keep 6 in a five foot tank and was really boring fish to keep!
Although 4 foot is a reasonably sized tank you are still supprisingly restricted when it comes to large fish!
No way on this earth would i keep any number of pirhanas in a 4 foot tank!
David

thats the fear I had about the boredom factor as I;ve heard people say in past they lack character in the aquarium

my son mentioned cardinals as well bit of a difference so could put my plecs in there and add cardinals

or just thought severums?

 

[indigoj]

I'd plant it, ton of wood, some nice plecs - trio of flash maybe? and 6 reedfish You'd have room for some cardinals too.

 

[jonny_dw]

Sounds like your son wants abit of everything

You should only get any species of piranha if your certain you want them, I think you should proberly look elsewhere

 

[simonas]

I'd plant it, ton of wood, some nice plecs - trio of flash maybe? and 6 reedfish You'd have room for some cardinals too.

I already have 4 reedfish can;t say I;d trust em with cardinals though mine are about 15 inch long

Sounds like your son wants abit of everything

You should only get any species of piranha if your certain you want them, I think you should proberly look elsewhere

a bit of me wants to try as well cos I;ve kept fish for 18 years and my tanks now are all tied up withother stuff so this opportunity although for my son is exciting for me as well lol

 

[dave_oddballs]

48" of tank is no where near enough for a single red bellied pirhana!
I wouldn't be questioning you if i never knew for a fact you was very very wrong. You may keep pirhana, mabe in a four foot tank, good for you! But its wrong and i would suggest against encouraging others to do the same!
I kept pirhanas for years, had my fair share of experience!

 

[Davo86]

Have to say I agree with Jonny, 75G is the bare minimum for 4 RBP

 

[simonas]

needless to say I won;t be gettinga piranha lol

 

[dave_oddballs]

and your tank isnt 75 gallon right?
Lol

 

[jonny_dw]

Have to say I agree with Jonny, 75G is the bare minimum for 4 RBP

Thank you Davo.

Im sorry Dave that you may not agree with 4 reds in a 4 foot tank but the fact is that is the minimum for 4 reds.

needless to say I won;t be gettinga piranha lol

If you dont wish to keep a shoal of red's why not look into serrasalmus species of piranha?

They are solitary fish and are many to look at and choose from, you will probably find one alot more entertaining.

 

[shroob]

Get a bunch of exodons