Ok..

[Fishkeeper2004]

I am about to purchase two red dwarfs, a male and a female. I am looking for a 3ft tank at the moment, but for the first two weeks or so, I will have to place them in my 15 gallon. This is currently stocked with the following:

1 Gourami - Not sure which type (definately not dwarf)
1 plec
1 catfish
7 tiger barbs
4 minnows
1 swordtail
2 black mollies

I know it will be overstocked when I add them, but I really can't afford to miss purchasing these, the store that sells them, sells out within a day or two, and get few deliveries. This will only be temporary, but just checking as to whether they would be 'ok' for around two weeks among my other community fish?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

You are well overstocked for a 15g hon. And since you don't have another tank waiting for them then your 'new' tank won't be cycled either. Is a risky business even tho you can seed some bacteria from the 15 it still won't be ideal. Might want to find out what kind of catfish you have and the plec. Also if you have certain types of gouramie you may end up with aggression issues. You may be better waiting until you know all the type/breeds of fish you currently have and their eventual adult size before adding any new fish into an already crowded aquarium.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

The plec is only 4 inches, and the catfish is less than 2 inches. The plec is now fully grown im pretty sure, I was told it was a common by the LFS, but many people on here have now said it can't be because of its size.

I also have another 15 gallon tank, and a 10 gallon, and these are well understocked, in fact the other 15 being almost empty now, maybe I could move some fish around until I get the new tank cycled?

 

[sylvia]

Just be patient and only get them when your tanks are correctly stocked and all fully cycled. There's realy no point buying fish that are likely to die if not placed in the correct environment. Dwarfs are fragile and prone to disease and a terrible fish to buy on impulse. Just wait until you are ready as it's not a good idea to rush these kind of things. Also, go for a trio as opposed to a pair - 1 male, 2 females. You also happen to need at least a 20 gallon for these fish so don't try putting them in the 15 or 10 unless they'll be single. As for your plec, it is a common (unless you posted pics and people said otherwise) and simply isn't full size yet. Re-home it before it gets too large or it'll never find a home and will also devastate your tank's water quality as it grows. they are poop machines and can get to 18".

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Just be patient and only get them when your tanks are correctly stocked and all fully cycled. There's realy no point buying fish that are likely to die if not placed in the correct environment. Dwarfs are fragile and prone to disease and a terrible fish to buy on impulse. Just wait until you are ready as it's not a good idea to rush these kind of things. Also, go for a trio as opposed to a pair - 1 male, 2 females. You also happen to need at least a 20 gallon for these fish so don't try putting them in the 15 or 10 unless they'll be single. As for your plec, it is a common (unless you posted pics and people said otherwise) and simply isn't full size yet. Re-home it before it gets too large or it'll never find a home and will also devastate your tank's water quality as it grows. they are poop machines and can get to 18".

Ok thanks. I have my plec for two years.. and its four inches, its literally grown an inch or so in that time - surely it can't be a common?

Anyway thanks for all the advice, I will wait to get my larger tank up and running before buying them. You say about a 20 gallon, will that stock 3 (1 male, 2 females) or will I need to be larger than 20?

 

[sylvia]

Common plecs grow at a rate of about 1" a year though they'll grow faster in larger tanks. That it hasn't grown this much may be a sign that you're not doing enough water changes in the tank or that you are over-stocked. having said that, I suggest you post a picture of your plec in the catfish forum and ask people to identify. I am almost definite that, if the LFS said it's a common, that it is indeed a common. Very few LFS stock other plecs under that name. In fact, most avoid calling commons 'commons'

As for the 20, yes, that'll work for the trio.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Common plecs grow at a rate of about 1" a year though they'll grow faster in larger tanks. That it hasn't grown this much may be a sign that you're not doing enough water changes in the tank or that you are over-stocked. having said that, I suggest you post a picture of your plec in the catfish forum and ask people to identify. I am almost definite that, if the LFS said it's a common, that it is indeed a common. Very few LFS stock other plecs under that name. In fact, most avoid calling commons 'commons'

As for the 20, yes, that'll work for the trio.

Ok thanks for all the help, I will consider all your comments. Can't wait to get started now, hopefully I can find a suitable tank soon enough.