what happens when a tank is too small?

[kwbear3]

I have a Violet Goby, he is pretty cool. Currently he lives in my 29 gal. tank. i had read on the internet that they needed space and plan on getting a bigger tank next year. Well, a neighbor of mine likes my Goby and wants one too. Her tank is only a 10 gal. Will bigger fish die in a tank that small?? Or just be unhappy??

 

[modernhamlet]

Should it matter whether it will die or "just be unhappy"? Neither should be acceptable to you or your friend.

Regardless, to answer your question...

Violet Gobys are brackish water fish that commonly reach 15" in captivity (up to 2' in the wild). They are a peaceful, shy, and fairly hardy species. However, they not tolerate ammonia in the least.

No, your friend could not keep one in a 10g tank. It would be very unhappy. And then it would die. As you already know, your 29g is much too small for an adult, let alone a tiny 10g tank.

I would urge you to convince her not to keep one unless she is able to provide for it's specific requirements, including a large tank (55+ gallons), brackish water, and the proper lighting, decor and tankmates. There are many interesting species, even some oddballs, that would be a better choice for her. You might want to point her towards dwarf puffers. Although I've never owned one, they seem quite popular around here and could work in a 10g.

Sorry for the bad news. Just trying to help.

 

[clutterydrawer]

if you think about it, a 10g tank is at most 20" long and the goby will be 15". how will it swim around?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

It won't get that big, now will it, clutter? (Yes, this is serious, I know)

You should definitely either give your fish away or gte that bigger tank the moment your fish starts showing growth (preferably before that). Dissuade your friend from getting one.

 

[Coral platy]

dwarf puffers/green spotted puffers are well known for bieng one of the most livelyest fishes.(well in my lfs it is)
I had a dwarf and it would not stop swimming towards the current.
They mostley feed on:

dwarf puffers:

1)Bloodworm
2)brineshrimp
3)daphnie
4)tubifex.

Green puffers:

1)snails.
2)cockles
3)crabs
4)Any other shelled animals small enought to fit into its gob.

Dwarf puffers are not brackish buy the way.
Green spotted ones are thought.

You can keep niether with other "tankmates" unless you want the consiquences.

1)Puffer eats fish
2)fish eats puffer.

I hope your freind figures out what to do.
And i hope this helps.


Coral

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Stunting is a makor factor in this IMO. Levels perhaps will be a problem (not sure on how messy they are) but all fish need room to swim and to grow.

I'd say a 29 is way too small never mind a 10.