Fish Additions

[boblus]

Hi there!

I have a tropical freshwater tank ( I think it's 49 litres, I might be getting it mixed up with 79 ) and I have 1 Golden Gourami, 2 Angelfish ( smaller species ), 1 Clown Loach and 4 Neon Tetra. I will post a picture soon but my question is have you any suggestions on any fish additions because the tank looks a little unpopulated at the moment.

Thanks!

 

[LisaLQ]

Once those angels start growing, it wont look empty though - in fact you may have to invest in a bigger tank - so it's probably best to stick with what you have for now

What are the dimensions - might be able to work out how many litres it holds then

 

[boblus]

I lost the dimensions ages ago but the tank is a Fluval Uno Kit 600 or something like that.

Heres a picture. I hope it's not too big. The tank does look a bit mucky, but it's just the picture. It went a bit darker and lost it's florescence due to the flash in the camera.

 

[Irf]

If you have the Fluval Uno 600, it will hold 63 litres. The dimensions are 60cm x 35cm x 30cm.

The tank may look underpopulated to you but it's not necessarily so. You need to do a tank stock checking calculation, based on the adult sizes of your fish. For example, use the adult size of the clown loach when working it out.... not the current size. This could lead to you deciding that you've actually got enough "fish-cm". Then you might want to look at reducing the number of larger species and increasing the smaller ones.... thus getting a better looking population level.

Irf.

 

[boblus]

Hmm, that certainly helps. I'll try checking the ' fish cm ' tonight. By the way, do you know how large the small species of angelfish grow?

Thanks you two!

 

[Irf]

Hmm, that certainly helps. I'll try checking the ' fish cm ' tonight. By the way, do you know how large the small species of angelfish grow?

Thanks you two!

LOL! You'll need to give more details on the species that you have...... or a pic if you don't know. By the way - I'm not an expert on angels.

Irf.

 

[boblus]

I'll see if I can do some research on their sizes. Oh, and there's an Angelfish in the picture I posted. It's the largest I have.

 

[Irf]

Sorry boblus - I didn't spot it until your post! I can't make out the species, but as I said I'm not an expert. Perhaps someone else can help.

Good luck...

Irf.

 

[LisaLQ]

As far as I know, there's no such thing as a dwarf angelfish or small breed of angelfish. LFS like to sell them as that when really they're just baby normal ones Someone else here was given that story by their LFS recently too. So your tank will be too small for them I'm afraid. I've never had gouramis other than dwarves, but I'd think maybe that might too - might be worth doing a google search for their eventual size. Angels need a minimum 30g tank for a pair.

Edited to add - quick search brought up this on the golden gourami:
http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_tricho2.php

According to them, minimum tank size is 200l.

 

[boblus]

Well, the Angelfish in the picture is nearly a year old ( I thought that was the average lifespan of a fish ) same goes for all the other fish except for the Clown Loach, he's new. They seem happy enough ( except for the occasional squabble between the largest Angelfish and the Gourami, but still, they're in perfect condition especially the Gourami. ) I suppose the best thing I could do is let them be and not mess around with them too much until they really are big.

Oh, and what's LFS?

 

[Irf]

LFS = Local Fish Store

I don't know where you heard that the average life span of fish is 1 year...... that's not true, and way too general.

The best you can probably do at this stage is what you suggest.... wait for them to grow and then rehome them as necessary. Unless of course you can find someone else to take them sooner. Some LFSs will take fish back, but not many will take them and give you money/credit back!

Irf.

 

[Shaun]

Another thing i would add is that your clown loach will outgrow that tank soon and will need a much bigger tank as they can grow to 12" and prefer to be in groups of 3 minimum. Im no expert so correct me if im wrong people

EDIT- Spelling

 

[Irf]

Another thing i would add is that your clown loach will outgrow that tank soon and will need a much bigger tank as they can grow to 12" and prefer to be in groups of 3 minimum. Im no expert so correct me if im wrong people

Agreed on both points. However I desperately wanted clowns, and so I have a nice group of 6 of them in my 50 USG tank with other community species. I realise that they will get too big in around five years, but I will rehome them by then, or return to LFS. If it comes to it, I will have to get another tank!

Irf.

 

[Shaun]

Yea its a good excuse for a new tank!

 

[LisaLQ]

If they're not growing then they're not in perfect condition really though. If you're thinking your angels are a special dwarf species, they must be pretty stunted I'm afraid. Just because they look ok doesn't mean they're in a suitable tank. Sorry to sound like I'm coming down on you but you need a tank upgrade or to return them or rehome them and get some suitable fish for your tank.