Being seduced by the beauty of the Bala Sharks and the oddballness of the Pleco, we got one of each for our 30 gal. tank. But to my dismay, I'm reading here that both species can get pretty large and can outgrow and become uncomfortable in the tank. Right now they are both about 2". What happens when they get too big to be comfortable in this tank? A larger one is out of the question. Will they only grow to the limits of their environment?
Two Mistakes Already, I Fear.
- Thread starter Minotaur
- Start date
wendywc
Rocking a crabshell for a hat.
From my understanding... To an extent, they will grow to the limits of their environment. However, they will die prematurely under those conditions. Rehome them now while it's easier. 
I definately empathise. There are tons of wonderful fish I would love to have too, but can't keep. I also have a 30 gallon tank.
I definately empathise. There are tons of wonderful fish I would love to have too, but can't keep. I also have a 30 gallon tank.
However, they will die prematurely under those conditions. Rehome them now while it's easier.
Aw crap.
Thanks. You know, I wish they'd put more info on the tank descriptions instead of just trying to make a sale. I mean, you go into a pet store or aquarium store and see beautiful fish. You pick out something you like you didn't know existed. So you couldn't look it up beforehand and research it. The description doesn't say Grows to 18".
wendywc
Rocking a crabshell for a hat.
Yeah; it's hard to resist the temptation. But next time, write what it is and go home and research & double-check. Easier said than done though. 
Egmel
Fishaholic
Some plecs don't grow that big and should be ok in a 30G tank, it might be worth finding out which one you have, if you can take some photos then you can ask in the TFF>Tropical Fish>Catfish> Plecos and other Loricarids section.However, they will die prematurely under those conditions. Rehome them now while it's easier.
Aw crap.
You know, I wish they'd put more info on the tank descriptions instead of just trying to make a sale. I mean, you go into a pet store or aquarium store and see beautiful fish. You pick out something you like you didn't know existed. So you couldn't look it up beforehand and research it. The description doesn't say Grows to 18".
Failing that have a look at some of the plecs on http
/www.planetcatfish.com/ one of the smaller more common ones is the bristlenose
Miss Wiggle
Practically perfect in every way
yeah some stores do have labels half of them are rubbish though, if yours don't then there's 2 good things you can do to help you out.
1 - invest in a really good fish book, with sizes, fish requirements etc in, you don't need to memorise it, just take it to the lfs with you, if you like something then look it up.
2 - ask the lfs to reserve it for you, then go home and do your research, if it's not suitable then call them to say you've changed your mind.
there's a few way's a fish can die from being in a tank too small-
it will stop growing on the outside when it reaches about the right size for the tank..... but it's internal organs won't and they'll all keep growing and get squashed up inside it basically until something bursts and it'll die (i know, gruesome isn't it!)
it will get overly agressive or territorial and end up fighting and dying from injuries or stress
it will simply continue growing to the point it won't be able to turn around in the tank and get food, so it'll die form starvation and lack of exercise
but by far the most likely is it will become stressed by being cramped, this will make it susceptible to diseases and it'll pick something up that will kill it, and maybe half the other occupants of the tank too.
Unless your gonna get a seriously bigger tank and soon then you need to re-home these fish.
1 - invest in a really good fish book, with sizes, fish requirements etc in, you don't need to memorise it, just take it to the lfs with you, if you like something then look it up.
2 - ask the lfs to reserve it for you, then go home and do your research, if it's not suitable then call them to say you've changed your mind.
there's a few way's a fish can die from being in a tank too small-
it will stop growing on the outside when it reaches about the right size for the tank..... but it's internal organs won't and they'll all keep growing and get squashed up inside it basically until something bursts and it'll die (i know, gruesome isn't it!)
it will get overly agressive or territorial and end up fighting and dying from injuries or stress
it will simply continue growing to the point it won't be able to turn around in the tank and get food, so it'll die form starvation and lack of exercise
but by far the most likely is it will become stressed by being cramped, this will make it susceptible to diseases and it'll pick something up that will kill it, and maybe half the other occupants of the tank too.
Unless your gonna get a seriously bigger tank and soon then you need to re-home these fish.
Yeah; it's hard to resist the temptation. But next time, write what it is and go home and research & double-check. Easier said than done though.
But that's a great idea. Now I know. Forewarned is forearmed.
Yep, did that already. I got one aquarium book, and will probably get the other one I saw.
I appreciate all the info. I hate having gotten off on the wrong fin with some of these little guys.
Miss Wiggle
Practically perfect in every way
Yep, did that already. I got one aquarium book, and will probably get the other one I saw.
I appreciate all the info. I hate having gotten off on the wrong fin with some of these little guys.
don't you worry, we all do it, your doing the right thing now getting your research done and I'm sure you'll re-home them before there's any damage done
fisherizer
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2006
- Messages
- 27
- Reaction score
- 0
Bala Sharks school as well
Yeah *sigh* I've learned that too. The guy seemed to know a lot. He just didn't share everything with us.
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
301 -
169 -
158 -
154
-
144 -
112 -
110 -
98 -
98
-
82 -
80
-
54 -
54 -
53 -
53