Introduction...

[AndrewZ]

Hello everyone,

I was just given a 26-gallon aquarium and fish from some friends who are leaving the country (lucky them?)

I used to have tropical fish over 20 years ago, but I have some more to learn.

I received: 2 tailless orange "parrot" cichlids (I was appalled and sickened to learn how they were made during my research today), 1 iridescent shark catfish, 2 angels, 2 gold dojo loaches, 2 large common plecos. I also just got 1 blue gourami, 2 bamboo shrimp.

I also have 2 parrots (Dusky-headed conure and Painted conure) and a lot of indoor & outdoor plants. I live in San Francisco.

Andrew

 

[Tempestuousfury]

to the forum.

Awe, look at the cuties in your sig!

Yes, it is rather cruel what breeders will do to parrot cichlids.

Research would definitely help with stocking, since there are some issues with your current setup. So as not to flood you with too much info, what with this being your intro thread, I'll only tell you right now about the more egregious problem--the iridescent shark and the plecs are going to grow big and aggressive, so you shouldd o some research on them. Great place to start (our fish index):
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=36

ID Shark: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=136530
Common plec: I could not find an index for common plecs, so I copied and pasted this: Common Pleco can get from 12inches upto 24 inches so unless you can accomadate a full grown plec, best advice is watch them grow elsewhere. They can also live for up to 20-25 years in a very good enviroment. water 68 - 82 F, and a pH in the 6. - 7.5 . A nice hiding place would suit a small plec.
they will also Love your plants! from here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=4578

Hope to see you around, and good luck with the new tank.

 

[karen84]

hi and welcome

 

[AndrewZ]

Tempestuous Fury,

Thanks for the info & links. I know there are some issues with compatibility, the prior owners just haphazardly threw some fish together. The plecos are already 8" long and hogging space! The iridescent shark cat is peaceful now, I've read contradictory info, with some saying they stay smaller in an aquarium and are harmless to fish 1/2 their size, and one owner here says his grows very slowly... so we'll see! I may get another aquarium.