Jewel 180

mnemikeevans · Jan 3, 2011

Hi I have been into fishes for about a year now. Started with a cold water tank with a couple of golden dojos and some danios and goldfish and now I also have a jewel 180 which i have had for about 8 months. I have in it the 2 golden dojos from my cold water tank as they started to get a bit big, 1 severen, 1 blood parrot, 2 gouramis (blue and a yellow), 3 khuli loach, 2 synadontis petracola, 2 bala sharks, 2 red stripe torpedo barbs, 1 reedfish, 1 tiger plec, 1 white seam plec, 1 elephant nose, 2 clown loaches, 1 upside down catfish and one six striped orange and black fish wich i've forgotton its name. Begins with D. I know its a lot to have but they all get on just fine and when they start getting bigger i'll get a bigger tank or have to get rid of some.

karin · Jan 3, 2011

First off welcome to the forum. This is an excellent excellent place to learn everything about fishkeeping and water keeping. First let me warn you that you are about to get lots and lots of comments on your stocking.

I don't know what else to say here but you are overstocked. You really need to slow down and start researching what you want in a tank and then start either rehoming or selling fish with that final plan in place. I know you say all is well but not for long and you are likely damaging the health of some of those fish, stunting them etc.

Your goal, if I can be so brazen, is to start getting smart about what you are doing fishkeeping. What type of tank do you want to create? Is their a particular region you want to emphasize? Do you like planted tanks or rock and stick tanks? What fish above do you want to build an ecosystem around?

With that in mind I think you need to get rid of the severen (needs 75 gallon minimum as an only fish), bala sharks(need 100 gallon), clown loaches (get huge), fighting fish (maybe okay but I don't think will do okay with gourami), and probably more since I don't know all the fish above. This is a start. You say that you'll just get a bigger tank but this may or may not happen. Build it up from the start as an appropriate tank and then if you can and want a bigger tank, plan that one accordingly too. Just don't buy bigger tanks because you didn't plan in the first place.

But good news is that you are in the right place to get that sorted out. I hope you take up the challenge. We do want to help you sort this out.

P.S. Always always always research your fish on your own before you buy. The store folks just want to sell stuff to you they often could care less where the fish ends up. It is your responsibility to know what your tank can accommodate.

markandhisfish · Jan 3, 2011

right , no easy way to say this so il just come out with it blunt and simple. your stocking is terrible.

you need to re-home

the severum , needs a tank of at least 75g
the bala sharks , get huge and need to be kept in groups in very big tanks
blood parrot , pretty much same reason as the severum
red line torpedo barbs , the same reason as the bala sharks , they are also extremely active and require a lot of swimmin space
elephant nose . needs much larger tank
golden dojos , these are coldwater fish
clown loaches , need to be kept in groups in much bigger tanks
reedfish , needs bigger tank , and should be kept in groups. risk of predating on small fish too.

on to the orange 6 striped fish. it sounds like you have a 6 striped distichodus if thats the case that needs to go too as it grows anywhere up to 30" altho 16" is more likely in aquariums , therefor needing a tank much bigger than yours .

im not familiar with the plecs you have . you could have compatibility issues with the betta as well .

i know this may sound harsh , but that tank is a ticking timebomb. please take our advice and get rid of most of your fish , then we cam advise you as to suitable replacements

the synodontis you have should be ok in that tank as they are quite a small syno , maxing out around 5 inches , but you could have compatibility issues with the other bottom dwellers .

Aqua Tom · Jan 3, 2011

I have that tank & will not be stocking it anyway near the level you have. Did you research at all or just buy the fish that took your fancy?

mnemikeevans · Jan 8, 2011

Hi there. I am taking your advise and so far i have got rid of the japanese fighter, gold severum, 2 swordtails, upside down catfish, blood parrot, elephant nose and I am still looking for a home for the bala sharks. I have read up about the golden dojos and they can be in hot or cold water. They seam a lot more active now than when they were in cold water. I know i was stupid to listen to the shop people but i just really love buying new fish. I will definately not be making the same mistake again! Cheers. Mike.

oh aqua tom what do you have in yours?

FishAreFriendsNotFood10 · Jan 8, 2011

dont feel to hard on yourself most fish stores are out for profit and only sell you what takes your eye... its hard to find a shop with fishkeeper who will ask what you have in your tank/s and then go "oh wait they wont be suitable you should try this instead" :crazy:

ive soon learnt in the few short months ive been on here that research is the key! ive been asking alot of advice in the section i want my tank to head in (which is a community tank) and there are alot of good people on this forum who are more than willing to help out

good to see youve started re homing it means you care about your fish enough to let the live in a enviroment that suits them rather than what suits you :good:

do you have a personal favourites in fish so maybe people can advise you what kinds of fish can be kept together?

Aqua Tom · Jan 8, 2011

mnemikeevans said:
Hi there. I am taking your advise and so far i have got rid of the japanese fighter, gold severum, 2 swordtails, upside down catfish, blood parrot, elephant nose and I am still looking for a home for the bala sharks. I have read up about the golden dojos and they can be in hot or cold water. They seam a lot more active now than when they were in cold water. I know i was stupid to listen to the shop people but i just really love buying new fish. I will definately not be making the same mistake again! Cheers. Mike.

oh aqua tom what do you have in yours?

still cycling it, but should have by the end of the week 20 cardinals, 6 corys, then a bit later 1 Angelfish & 1 BN (bristlenose) plec

mnemikeevans · Jan 29, 2011

hi all just to let you know i've also got rid of the tiger plec the reedfish and the two clown loaches. I 've also just purchased a jewel reckord 600 which is a 65 ltr tropical tank. I'm letting it cycle and just would like any thoughts on what to put in it. Cheers.