Hello! From Michigan

[justthe3ofus]

Hi All!

I have been reading posts for a couple of days and wanted to join and say first of all, thanks for all your helpful hints.

I really need some advice, and going to the local petstore does not do it, as I have tried. I have two small children who have acquired fish from their father (we are divorced) and now I have a tankful of crazy fish. I started out with a 5 gallon tank with just goldfish for my son's 6th birthday, now I have 16 fish in a 20 gallon tank (last weekend they came home with 4 platies and the next day one gave birth to 20 babies). Hoping to give them to good homes and not keep any. Right now they are literally 5 days old and in a small breeding box in the tank.

Here is what I have: 4 goldfish, 4 platy, 2 iridescent shark (I know . . .) 2 black mollies (I think, they have bug eyes, 2 catfish (small), 2 african frogs, 2 guppies. So far, I have not had any problems, the goldfish are fairly large (all 3 inches) and the sharks are 4 inches. The rest are 2 inches or so.

I have an undergravel filter, along with a carbon filter and plenty of aeration through bubbles. I have 2 live plants.

I am considering an additional tank to separate these fish. Should there be 2 gallons for each fish? Should I start the new aquarium with all new equipment or move some of the old stuff?

Thanks, and I would appreciate any help and/or advice.

 

[Mr Bliss]

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

I'd either get a bigger tank or try to rehome the goldfish. A 20 gallon is no place for four goldfish in the long run, as they're messy fish that grow quite big. And since you mention bug eyes, are you sure the black mollies are mollies and not black moor goldfish (do a google search to see what they look like)? In that case you'd have six goldfish, all able to grow to the size of grapefruit, in that tank.

As you seem to know, the iridescent shark (Pangasius) catfish will grow huuuuuge. They can grow longer than that tank in fact, and you need to rehome them as soon as possible unless you're prepared to invest in a massive tank. They'll also eat your platies, mollies, frogs and guppies long before they grow that big.

A good rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water as long as the fish are small enough to have enough space in the tank. The other fish sound fine, but you need to make some decisions with the "problem fish" mentioned above. I'd venture that getting a bigger tank for the goldfish could be a very rewarding experience for you and your kids, whereas the two (!!!) Pangasius catfish will be nothing but trouble.

 

[Corleone]

What part of Michigan are you in? I do have some used 4 foot tanks in my garage, and if you're not too far from the Tri-Cities, I'd be willing to sell one. It should be sufficient for six fancy goldfish if you have a strong enough canister filter, though I don't have good filters for them, I do have a number of tanks, hoods, and lights I took from a retired breeder.

 

[justthe3ofus]

Welcome! You've come to the right place.

I'd either get a bigger tank or try to rehome the goldfish. A 20 gallon is no place for four goldfish in the long run, as they're messy fish that grow quite big. And since you mention bug eyes, are you sure the black mollies are mollies and not black moor goldfish (do a google search to see what they look like)? In that case you'd have six goldfish, all able to grow to the size of grapefruit, in that tank.

As you seem to know, the iridescent shark (Pangasius) catfish will grow huuuuuge. They can grow longer than that tank in fact, and you need to rehome them as soon as possible unless you're prepared to invest in a massive tank. They'll also eat your platies, mollies, frogs and guppies long before they grow that big.

A good rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water as long as the fish are small enough to have enough space in the tank. The other fish sound fine, but you need to make some decisions with the "problem fish" mentioned above. I'd venture that getting a bigger tank for the goldfish could be a very rewarding experience for you and your kids, whereas the two (!!!) Pangasius catfish will be nothing but trouble.

Thank you so much. So far, I haven't had any problems, except I have noticed that you are so right about the goldfish, they are like bulls in a china shop. I will google the black goldfish. I think I will get a second tank for sure. I saw that you can call pet stores and such and ask if they will take fish, but I cannot believe that they would. I will try to ask around about finding them a new home.

Thank you again!

What part of Michigan are you in? I do have some used 4 foot tanks in my garage, and if you're not too far from the Tri-Cities, I'd be willing to sell one. It should be sufficient for six fancy goldfish if you have a strong enough canister filter, though I don't have good filters for them, I do have a number of tanks, hoods, and lights I took from a retired breeder.

Hi there.

I am in Sterlling Heights. I think that is probably too far. But I appreciate the thought. It is funny. At first I did not want fish, but now I think I enjoy them more than the kids.

Take care.