Something You Might Be Interested In

[Twinklecaz]

The first fish book I bought a few months ago was an RSPCA one. I naturally assumed it would have good and true information but now I've been here a while I see how wrong the stocking ideas they have in there are. This is one of their recommendations for a 60x38x30 cm tank:

5 x Tiger Barbs
2 pairs of Black Mollies
2 pairs of guppies
1 pair of Swordtails
1 pair of Pear Gourami
2-3 Corydoras (the one's they refer to in the book are Peppered so I assumed they mean them)
2 pairs of Platties
2 small Angelfish

Can you beleive that? As a novice I and I'm sure many others assumed that a RSPCA book would be reliable. If I hadn't found this forum I amost certainly would have gone for that set up, with myabe the Swordtails dropped because my tank is slightly smaller

 

[walkers101]

they got the platties wrong for a start they should be 3 female to 1 male or all males

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah and the guppies and mollies. Also the Angels wouldn't go well in there I don't think.

I think it's overstocked by about double isn't it too?

 

[Ryefish]

I think when there is enough replies on what people think is wrong with this, you should compile a formal email or a letter and send it to the RSPCA (not sure what part though) stating all the facts, try and back up some information with proper references (not like, things from wikipedia lol. i know theres a lot of good articles already posted on this forum) and see what they say. They may actually listen to what you have to say.

Is there a publish date on the book?

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah I was just saying this to my Mum, I think I am going to write to them. In their "Scheme 3" the also suggest keep a male Betta with male Guppies and only having 3 Harlequins.......and 2-3 Clown Loaches and a Pleco!

Sorry, publish date 2005.

 

[jacko32]

both the angel fish and pearl gourami are way too big for a tank that size

if you google a book called barrons compass guides tropical freshwater fish from A-Z
this is the best book i have come across so far and would recommend anyone to buy 1

 

[Ryefish]

If the date is 2005 i wonder if there is a more recent edition? there may not be but might be worth a look (it may still be exactly the same with the information lol)

 

[orangefish]

I had the exact same problem. I read 'The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Aquarium Fish & Fish Care' that told me in the same size tank as yours I could have 27 fish. I stocked my tank with 20 until I read this forum and realised I have overstocked :l I'm not really sure what to do now?

 

[OohFeeshy]

There was a thread about the book a while ago. I'm pretty certain there were emails sent to them, plus responses.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Oh really? That makese sense actually coz I'm sure people have noticed before me. It's not like there's slight overstocking issues there......they're recommending twice as many fish than you should have that won't all get along with each other!