Am I Overcrowded!? Please Help Somebody

[-SPB-]

ok so being overcrowded,, what size tank would u recommend me getting if i was going to split them up some,, and keep in mind a lot of these fish are under a month old,, all are under 2 or 3 months, so there is that hated and dreaded (yet in this case,, prolly good) possability of some dying.. and if having 2 redtails or 2 blacks in 1 tank is going to be aggressive then so be it,.. and also keep in mind a general (dont concentrate on this too much as i know it applies little) old thing where the fish will only grow as big as the tank lets them,, meaning if theres no room they wont grow full sized..

Just out of interest, does the aggresiveness not bother you as the fish will probably end up killing each other.

 

[murph909]

That would be stunting, and that would be horrible!!! If you want the best for your fish, you will rehome them, and get a bigger tank, with just one shark. And again can you say what type of pleco you have?

honest guys,, i want the advice, and am only here cuz i want other peoples oppinions besides the people at my petstore here cuz they suggested all this and were OBVIOUSLY WRONG and deserve a good slap.. plecos.. i believe leopard maybe?.. umm,, got them from a friend.. ill ask him,, ok so u can obivously tell im a noob at all this, and rehoming is being considered,, and trust me if trouble is started atall,, or when a problem does occur, i have no problem donating a large shark or a few to the petstores "pond" where their large fish go.. dont think im going to hold them all here untill they die.. but as youngins right now there is NO, NOT ONE, problem currently and i DO care about them, thats the reason im trying to plan ahead on this and ask you guys.. I have no problem admitting im in a messed up situation,, but i will be resolving any problems before it results in death, i have 2 local pet stores that both have ponds containing MANY different species and sizes and theyve both had uncompatible fish be compatible in there (the ponds are NOT that big) so i will very willingly donate when needed for the good of the fish

AND IT IS NOT that i dont care about the aggressivness and death,, im just asking as many different questions and running over as many different possabilities for solutions and ideas as possable and dont take any idea or question i ask or say that sounds crual to be crual cuz it is not meant to be,, trust me i do care and will be doing soemthing about this.,

 

[rdd1952]

I don't think anyone can really suggest tanks to split them up unless you are really willing to spend a lot of money. Even if you don't split the same species of sharks, you need at least 4 tanks and the one for the black sharks needs to be at least 125 to 150 gallon (and the link below says 300 gallon). I know they aren't big now but you have to be able to provide them with the proper size tank when the need arises. Most of these fish grow rather quickly in the frst year so they won't be small for long.

Indeed fish do only grow to the size of their tank. Actually, I think itapplies a lot if you plan on keeping them in a tank that is too small. You can keep the 2 black sharks in a 10 gallon tank and after one kills the other, the remaining one will probably never get over 6 to 12 inches long but rather than living 20+ years as they can easily do, he will probably make it 2 or 3 before he dies from the small tank and stunting.

Here is a good profile on the black shark which I would say is the most troublesome fish you have.

Edit: The problem with waiting on the aggression to show up is that then it may be too late. Everything could be fine for month or 2 and then you wake up one morning to find 4 or 5 dead fish where all heck has broken loose over night. It only takes one time. On top of that, aggression and bullying leads to stress and stress is the number 1 thing to trigger white spot in a tank. And last but certainly not least, fish stores, especially chain pet stores, give some of the worst advice in the world. Too many of the employees know little to nothing about the fish what their requirements are.

 

[halfbloodprincess]

The red tailed sharks and rainbows will get big but not "that" big. But very very aggressive. So size is not the problem with them, just to point out. And I don't like the sound of these "ponds". How do you know the fish in these will be compatible?? And if they are not "that" big, than they don't sound very healthy for them. I have never heard of leopard plecos, I will look them up in the meantime, but I think they may get big.

 

[murph909]

I don't think anyone can really suggest tanks to split them up unless you are really willing to spend a lot of money. Even if you don't split the same species of sharks, you need at least 4 tanks and the one for the black sharks needs to be at least 125 to 150 gallon (and the link below says 300 gallon). I know they aren't big now but you have to be able to provide them with the proper size tank when the need arises. Most of these fish grow rather quickly in the frst year so they won't be small for long.

Indeed fish do only grow to the size of their tank. Actually, I think itapplies a lot if you plan on keeping them in a tank that is too small. You can keep the 2 black sharks in a 10 gallon tank and after one kills the other, the remaining one will probably never get over 6 to 12 inches long but rather than living 20+ years as they can easily do, he will probably make it 2 or 3 before he dies from the small tank and stunting.

Here is a good profile on the black shark which I would say is the most troublesome fish you have.

k, see this is the reason im on here, because i had heard from MANY resources that they grow 12-15 inches NOT 31, so now i have 2 different numbers here and will look into that as it DOES make a HUGE Difference, i know. and also keep in mind i dont plan on buying 4 tanks and WILL PROLLY NO DOUBT end up returning // donationg mismatched pairs (in other words the whole situation with 2 redtails and 2 blacks)

I agree the blacks, one of my favorites, is my biggest issue here.,,. thanks for the help and see now i know i have to look into sizes more as im getting different numbers

 

[halfbloodprincess]

And just what I thought, the plecos get to 20 inches! If they are in fact leopards. If they are, you will need to rehome these too.

 

[murph909]

The red tailed sharks and rainbows will get big but not "that" big. But very very aggressive. So size is not the problem with them, just to point out. And I don't like the sound of these "ponds". How do you know the fish in these will be compatible?? And if they are not "that" big, than they don't sound very healthy for them. I have never heard of leopard plecos, I will look them up in the meantime, but I think they may get big.

I will admit it is not a good sounding thing,, but they have almsot always 2-3 black sharks,, many oscars, sevrums, and MANY MANY other aggressive and non aggressive fish in there,, my point is they pull out some wierd things,, but it works and then some other, smarter fish owner will buy them.. or one of the workers as they usually do..

 

[-germ-]

You honestly have to remove all but one of the labeos; the RTBS and black sharks. Otherwise they will eventually kill each other, they don't get aggressive with age, once settled they will establish territory and soon enough there will be all out war. RTBS and Black sharks hate their own species and other labeos.
Considering the size blacks can reach then the only responsible answer is to take both blacks and one RTBS back to the fish shop.
How long ago did you but these fish?
Have you heard of fish tank cycling or the nitrogen cycle in aquarium? (very important question, please answer a.s.a.p or you may be looking at your fish dying via poisoning soon anyway)
Within a week of having the black shark (oscar after oscar wilde, bottom feeder get it?) i bought as a noob i returned him, he got that aggressive that quickly...
Plus the aggression was directed at angels which you have.....

 

[rdd1952]

Keep in mind that full adult size will take a while to come and unless you can provide the true space they need, they will never reach full size as they will be stunted and their life shortened. Even the lowest number I've seen for black sharks is 22" which still needs at least a 125 to 150 gallon tank.

As far as aggression is concerned, bottom line is that sharks are extremely aggressive toward their own species and more than one shark in a tank will eventually lead to problems. They just don't get along with their own species.

 

[murph909]

And just what I thought, the plecos get to 20 inches! If they are in fact leopards. If they are, you will need to rehome these too.

and on the plecos i knew about this problema dn dont plan on havin them around a long time for that reason, it was known about this issdue at the time when i got them and i have a guy in need of them, who wants them and CAN keep them in his size tank,, plecos are NOT my major worry here as they can be and will be rehomed easilly and soon..

You honestly have to remove all but one of the labeos; the RTBS and black sharks. Otherwise they will eventually kill each other, they don't get aggressive with age, once settled they will establish territory and soon enough there will be all out war. RTBS and Black sharks hate their own species and other labeos.
Considering the size blacks can reach then the only responsible answer is to take both blacks and one RTBS back to the fish shop.
How long ago did you but these fish?
Have you heard of fish tank cycling or the nitrogen cycle in aquarium? (very important question, please answer a.s.a.p or you may be looking at your fish dying via poisoning soon anyway)
Within a week of having the black shark (oscar after oscar wilde, bottom feeder get it?) i bought as a noob i returned him, he got that aggressive that quickly...
Plus the aggression was directed at angels which you have.....

I have had them for about 2 months now give or take god nows how much as i dont remember... and there has been very little issues (well acctually none yet BUT DONT WORRY I AM AWARE THERE WILL BE AND AM PLANNING FOR IT SO DONT SAY IM NOT)

Keep in mind that full adult size will take a while to come and unless you can provide the true space they need, they will never reach full size as they will be stunted and their life shortened. Even the lowest number I've seen for black sharks is 22" which still needs at least a 125 to 150 gallon tank.

As far as aggression is concerned, bottom line is that sharks are extremely aggressive toward their own species and more than one shark in a tank will eventually lead to problems. They just don't get along with their own species.

see this is why im on here,, if that is the case then they will go.. EVERYBODY can stop thinking im going to let them stay in a tank thats too small and die a short life cuz of it cuz i was and still am (with my $400 paychecks and saving some from every one) planning onb buying a larger tank... that was an expected thing to come.. now the size im not sure about.. another reason y im here..

 

[rdd1952]

I will admit it is not a good sounding thing,, but they have almsot always 2-3 black sharks,, many oscars, sevrums, and MANY MANY other aggressive and non aggressive fish in there,, my point is they pull out some wierd things,, but it works and then some other, smarter fish owner will buy them.. or one of the workers as they usually do..

If you're talking about the number of sharks (or oscars or other aggressive fish) they have in a tank together at the fish store, that is a different stuation. Those are simply holding tanks. Because of the fact that there are so many they can't establish territories (usually not in there long enough to either). As long as no fish has a terriory, then there isn't anything to fight over.

 

[murph909]

I will admit it is not a good sounding thing,, but they have almsot always 2-3 black sharks,, many oscars, sevrums, and MANY MANY other aggressive and non aggressive fish in there,, my point is they pull out some wierd things,, but it works and then some other, smarter fish owner will buy them.. or one of the workers as they usually do..

If you're talking about the number of sharks (or oscars or other aggressive fish) they have in a tank together at the fish store, that is a different stuation. Those are simply holding tanks. Because of the fact that there are so many they can't establish territories (usually not in there long enough to either). As long as no fish has a terriory, then there isn't anything to fight over.

im interested in this whole pond convo now,, umm they have had one of the black sharks and 2 large oscars there for over a month now,, and just sold one of the oscars,,

 

[rdd1952]

If the pond is large enough, then 2 of the same species can stake their territory and not have issues. I've even read some places about having like a divider rock decoration to kind of create a break of territories. And generally sharks can get along with other agresive species, just not their own.

 

[parker313]

I have 2 rainbow sharks,, 2 red tail sharks, 2 black sharks, 2 bala sharks, 1 dwarf gourami, 1 blue gourami, 1 angel, 2 severums, 2 plecos in a 55 gallon tank,,

Of your list, here is what you should keep:

1 Angel
1 Severum (get to be big, need 75g for a pair)
2 gouramis
1 RTBS OR 1 Rainbow shark

That's it. 1 Rainbow OR 1 RTBS, 2 black sharks, 2 bala sharks (which do well in groups of 5-6 in a much larger aquarium), 1 Sev and the 2 plecs are gonna have to go. You have more time with the sevs I'd say, as their issue is more space needs, not due to aggression, so if you can get homes for the rest, those can wait longer than the others. Not long term by any means, but at least they aren't a ticking time bomb like the sharks.