Freshwater Flounder

[RANDYS]

Went to Petco today and they had real small flounder aprox. 1" long at the most, has anyone had them in their tank and how big of a tank should they go in.

 

[carrera]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=67770

 

[diburning]

they like sand tanks because they camoflauge

 

[nmonks]

There have been some useful threads on freshwater soles (almost never flounders), and you'd probably want to look them over before purchasing:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=143396
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=140951

Freshwater soles come from two families, the Achridae and the Soleidae. Generally, aquarists in the US seem to be offered Achiridae only, while aquarists in the UK (and likely the rest of Europe) get species from both families. The "freshwater" Soleidae are from Asia, the "freshwater" Achiridae from the Americas.

Two important facts to bear in mind are that most, but not all, species need brackish water conditions, and secondly, they are all nocturnal and will only take live foods such as bloodworms (at least initially). Small specimens can be very difficult to raise unless kept in their own tank. I'd argue all freshwater soles should be kept in their own aquarium for the first month or so, regardless of size. It's important to "fatten them up" a bit. Once settled in and feeding, they are hardy and easy to look after.

Cheers,

Neale