Piranha Care (did I Do It Right?)

[piranha_tim]

Hi,

I have recently purchased a Red-Bellied Piranha. (roughly 5.5") (I have been in ownership 48hrs of writing this)

I have the following equipement.

30 Gallon Tank,
Heater,
Topfin 30 Filter

In the tank I have

Provided Fake seaweed in which he can hide in (however it is touching the side of the tank and he seems confused attempting to always swim forward against the glass ONLY ON THAT ONE SIDE)
A log type aquarium item for him to use.
Neutral sand coloured rock bed for aquariums.

The steps taken
**The previous owner dumped his original water which wasn't good BUT

I have temperature controlled the water from the tap.
Used a water conditioner to stabilize the chemicals found.
Used the product 'cycle' to start the tank off.
Have provided the Fish 2 feeder fish (which now I know isn't a good idea)

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My Questions
1. Does it benefit the piranha to have the light turn off late at night?
2. I have 2 feeder fish in which the piranha has shown no interest in over the past 48hrs should I just remove the goldfish?



He is my first fish and I am looking for him to have a happy long life ... My goal is tell you what I done to make sure nothing has been forgotten and have fair recommendations that do not profit anyone to ensure they are correct.

I hope over time I can help someone on here with there issues once my experience is stronger.

Thank you.

Tim

 

[mark7616]

Here are a few tips.

1. Get a bigger tank 30g is not big enough.
2. Water change everyday as the tank is not cycled cycle doesnt do anything if you can get some bactinettes jopb done tank cycled.
3. Goldfish are no good as feeders usually full of disease and offer no benefit at all. Try and get it on prawn mussel whitbait etc if you must use feeders try something a bit better than goldfish. Mollies, plattys etc.

 

[piranha_tim]

Here are a few tips.

1. Get a bigger tank 30g is not big enough.
2. Water change everyday as the tank is not cycled cycle doesnt do anything if you can get some bactinettes jopb done tank cycled.
3. Goldfish are no good as feeders usually full of disease and offer no benefit at all. Try and get it on prawn mussel whitbait etc if you must use feeders try something a bit better than goldfish. Mollies, plattys etc.

My source of water is tap water ... I should be exchanging the bacteria building waters with chlorinated tap water?
Should I be adding more condition?
Should I be adding more Cycle?

 

[CFC]

A piranha as a first fish really isn't the best of choices as they are not the hardiest of fish and require higher than average levels of maintainance, but as you already have the fish i guess its too late for that.

Did the tank come with the fish? If so is the same filter that was already being used on the tank and if so again did you keep the foam inside the filter wet when you moved it?

All fish tanks require regular water changes to keep the water fresh and levels of nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) at safe levels, piranha like all predatory fish create more of these compounds than other fish so you will need to replace around 20% of the water weekly with fresh dechlorinated tapwater, while removing the old water you will also have to clean the gravel with a piece of equipment known as a gravel vacume (original hey) to remove small pieces of uneaten food and dirt from the bottom of the tank before they can rot and pollute the water.

Products such as cycle do not work and are just gimicks to make unknowing fishkeepers part with their cash, there are only two live bacteria products available; Bactinetts (Europe and UK only) and Bio spira (US only). Unless you can obtain one of those prodcuts if the filter is not already seeded with bacteria your tank will go through what is known as a "cycle" while populations of the bacteria needed to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate build up, during this period you will need to do water changes every day for a few weeks if you want to keep the piranha alive.

 

[piranha_tim]

A piranha as a first fish really isn't the best of choices as they are not the hardiest of fish and require higher than average levels of maintainance, but as you already have the fish i guess its too late for that.

Did the tank come with the fish? If so is the same filter that was already being used on the tank and if so again did you keep the foam inside the filter wet when you moved it?

All fish tanks require regular water changes to keep the water fresh and levels of nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) at safe levels, piranha like all predatory fish create more of these compounds than other fish so you will need to replace around 20% of the water weekly with fresh dechlorinated tapwater, while removing the old water you will also have to clean the gravel with a piece of equipment known as a gravel vacume (original hey) to remove small pieces of uneaten food and dirt from the bottom of the tank before they can rot and pollute the water.

Products such as cycle do not work and are just gimicks to make unknowing fishkeepers part with their cash, there are only two live bacteria products available; Bactinetts (Europe and UK only) and Bio spira (US only). Unless you can obtain one of those prodcuts if the filter is not already seeded with bacteria your tank will go through what is known as a "cycle" while populations of the bacteria needed to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate build up, during this period you will need to do water changes every day for a few weeks if you want to keep the piranha alive.

Thank you ... I will do this.

 

[piranha_tim]

A piranha as a first fish really isn't the best of choices as they are not the hardiest of fish and require higher than average levels of maintainance, but as you already have the fish i guess its too late for that.

Did the tank come with the fish? If so is the same filter that was already being used on the tank and if so again did you keep the foam inside the filter wet when you moved it?

All fish tanks require regular water changes to keep the water fresh and levels of nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) at safe levels, piranha like all predatory fish create more of these compounds than other fish so you will need to replace around 20% of the water weekly with fresh dechlorinated tapwater, while removing the old water you will also have to clean the gravel with a piece of equipment known as a gravel vacume (original hey) to remove small pieces of uneaten food and dirt from the bottom of the tank before they can rot and pollute the water.

Products such as cycle do not work and are just gimicks to make unknowing fishkeepers part with their cash, there are only two live bacteria products available; Bactinetts (Europe and UK only) and Bio spira (US only). Unless you can obtain one of those prodcuts if the filter is not already seeded with bacteria your tank will go through what is known as a "cycle" while populations of the bacteria needed to convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate build up, during this period you will need to do water changes every day for a few weeks if you want to keep the piranha alive.

Thank you ... I will do this.

Man I feel so bad ... The person I bought the animal off threw the water out while I was tending to the fish and the filter was already out of the water on my arrival. I may have like 1/2 a 10 litre bucket of his original water.

He has hasn't had new water for 2 days since the tank has been running.

(Hope he survives this)

 

[Mr._Fishy]

Another thing, piranhas need very overfiltered tanks. They are very messy (and big) eaters. I would try and get it at least a 55g and drastically overfilter it. If you had a little extra money, you could go for a 75g and get a shoal of 3 or 4 fish.

Ryan

 

[piranha_tim]

Another thing, piranhas need very overfiltered tanks. They are very messy (and big) eaters. I would try and get it at least a 55g and drastically overfilter it. If you had a little extra money, you could go for a 75g and get a shoal of 3 or 4 fish.

Ryan

Thank you ... Currently I have a Top fin 30 on a 30 Gal ... My intention is to get more fish and a 55 Gal tank for sure.

In the mean while ... Should I get a second filter?

 

[Mr._Fishy]

I replied in your other thread about getting a new filter. If you wanted to keep a shoal, you would need at least 75g. If you cramp them too much, chances are you will end up with dead fish.

Ryan

 

[piranha_tim]

I replied in your other thread about getting a new filter. If you wanted to keep a shoal, you would need at least 75g. If you cramp them too much, chances are you will end up with dead fish.

Ryan

I am told they are happiest with atleast 3 plus I am looking to increase natural behavour ...Although the one I have now explores his tank frequently ... and if I remain motionless is very curious to my presence and comes close to me.

I appreciate you spending the time to answer my questions ... The pet stores will have you beleive anything.

 

[Zawiha]

The pet stores will have you beleive anything.

technically this is your own fault for jumping into things,
even for a a beginner fish keeper pirahna
can be trouble-some.
So dont blame pet store's when
you was lacking in enough personal knowledge
to make these mistakes

 

[piranha_tim]

Ok there Zawiha the fish professional who apparently is fooled by nobody. HA HA

 

[Dorkhedeos]

The pet stores will have you beleive anything.

technically this is your own fault for jumping into things,
even for a a beginner fish keeper pirahna
can be trouble-some.
So dont blame pet store's when
you was lacking in enough personal knowledge
to make these mistakes

Well, people think keeping fish is really easy as well, so you cant really blame a beginner for jumping into things

 

[piranha_tim]

Well, people think keeping fish is really easy as well, so you cant really blame a beginner for jumping into things

I never thought it would be easy I took it on because it would be a challenge.

My comments / Text based frustration was aimed at the fact that not all the answers are online (well i sure they are ... but are conflicting or not easy to find) most people seek out people with experience and if your LFS tell you they have this experience and you can't prove them wrong then this is a different story.

Your right I could lie to anyone starting out putting me in a place of there trust and I could also turn to them and day well sorry the "Javex bleach in your tank killed your fish but you where the one stupid enough to beleive it. Read a book."

I don't think the beginner is 100% entirely at fault.

But your absolutely right you should have knowledge and be out there to take care of the animal of choice right.

 

[Zawiha]

Ok there Zawiha the fish professional who apparently is fooled by nobody. HA HA

That was quite childish Piranha tim,
I'm not going to stoop down to argue with you.
I dont claim i'm fool'd by nobody,
I just believe if you want to keep a certain
specie of fish, research the fish, find out how easy they
are to keep and then ask your local lfs.
If you know more about the animal before
you get it, then any "falsified" information
an Lfs' could turn out would be combated by
your current knowledge.

I believe point was made clear.

and i agree with Dorkhedeos.
Many people believe fish keeping is an easy area,
though i would of thought with the piranha's
unjust reputation it would of required enough respect
for the creature and for yourself to really indulge
yourself in the care of the animals before getting in over
your head.

Lets Put the shoe on another foot, say this was a
Channa Micropeltes instead of a Piranah.
Without the proper knowledge of this creature
the owner would be oblivious to its size and temperment
Which could cause alot of problems. On the rare case your
in america (i know there are a fair few on the forum) then
that kind of fish can cause more problems.

The ole phrase
"look before you leap"
comes to mind.

- Incase anyones going to jump on me for that,
I was justifying my opinion.