I Just Can't Kill Them!

[sforzauk]

This isn't exactly an emergency, but I've got an opaline gourami that is getting quite aggressive. I have a 58 litre (14.2gallon) aquarium with the opaline gourami, an angelfish and a red tail black shark. The gourami keeps nipping the angelfish; it has always been a little aggressive, but I'm not sure what, if anything, I can do. I know that the tank is too small for the angelfish and the rtbs, but I didn't know that until after I bought them, after being assured by the pet store that the tank was fine ". Anyway, I'm not sure why the gourami is so aggressive, seeing as the tank is an ok size for her. I've had all the fish for a few months now, and the gourami for almost a year.
Also, I noticed today that I have a snail; it's about half a cm big and it's the only one I have found. I haven't cleaned the tank for about a week and a half as I have been ill the last few days. I have no live plants in the aquarium, though I did have one in about a month ago. Should I do anything about or be worried?
Please reply!!! Thanks!
EDIT: I've decided that I don't want to kill the snails unless I have to, but if I don't will there be a snail infestation?

 

[WILDER]

I can see why you are having problems the shark needs an 40 gal tank and they are aggressive, so are angels they need a 30 gal and there fin nippers.
Can we take a look at your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
The tank is overstocked, and you should be doing a weekly gravel vac and water change.
Can you say how many fish and which type are in the tank besides the ones you have mentioned.

 

[Rhiannon]

Get the shark out. He cant be in a 14.5gl tank. Thats what I have and I would never put a shark in there. He is going to get far to big.

 

[sforzauk]

I know that the shark is too small for the tank, and I never would have bought her if I knew that. And, there's not really anywhere to put her. She's fully grown as I've had her for many months; she is about 5-6cm, but she's not the agressive one, nor is the angel. They are the only fish that I have in the tank, after I found out that the tank was too small for them, I decided not to buy any more fish. I don't have the stats for the tank, but I'm going to do a water change tonight. The only thing is that I found another snail, and if it is only the two snail I would be fine with them living in the tank...but how can I siphon the gravel without sucking them up. Also, am I likely to have lots and lots of snail eggs that haven't hatched yet, and are snails ok to have in the tank? Thanks

 

[sforzauk]

Ok then, I've searched the forums and I definetly do not want the snails as they can breed and I'll get an infestation. I guess I'm just gonna have to siphon out the two snails (though I'm gonna feel really bad about it XP) and hopefully get rid of anymore eggs whilst doing that...and just hope there will be no more snails. Oh, and I'll reduce the amount I'm feeding. Are there any problems with that or is it ok??

 

[sforzauk]

...I've decided that I really don't want to kill the snails if I have to- is there any way to make sure that they don't breed, or are there certain species? One has a flat shell, and the other has a cone shaped one...sorry about the vague description, but does anyone have any idea what species they could be??

 

[WILDER]

Just do a search on snails, you need a male and female and if you have young they will breed and you will get over run with them.
Some types of snails can store sperm for months I think.

 

[sforzauk]

I read that some snails are both male and female, so they can lay eggs. But the two snails are different species so they might not breed with eachother. Should I just kill them???

 

[WILDER]

No don't believe in killing anything.
Ask in the invertbrates section of the forum.

 

[KimA]

She's fully grown as I've had her for many months; she is about 5-6cm

Hi,

Sorry to say, but 5-6cm is not fully grown, about half grown

 

[sforzauk]

I've had her for over 6months, and as 12cm is the maximum, she's either quite small, or she's had her growth stunted because of the tank size. Of course, she may not be fully grown though. Anyway, I'm doing a water change right now, but I've removed the snails and will put them back in afterwards so I have more time to think about what to do with them.

Yeah, me too Wilder, as I said I've taken them out for a water change and I'll take some pics of them soon. Uhm...can someone please move this thread to the invertebrates section for me; I don't know how to XD

 

[Rhiannon]

Yeah I was going to say, 5cm full grown....

She may possibly be stunted yep.

 

[kevinr]

tank size has nothing to do with stunting a fishes growth, that's a big misconception!! What is the likely cause of stunted growth, is the fact that you have an overstocked tank, and too much waste, ergo..your poisoning your fish. A fish, in perfect water, will grow to it's potential, regardless of it's tank size, the only thing tank size will affect is the stature of the fish, ie, give it a curved spin!! My advice is that if you cannot give it a bigger home, give it to someone who can, otherwise that is just cruel. As for your comment about buying her before realising how big she would grow, that is just plain irresponsible. Do you not research any of the fish you buy, before doing so?? How do you know if you could look after it?

Sorry if I sound harsh, but it really gets me when I read posts with these types of problems, then I see Aquatic shops with tanks containing large fish that owners have dumped on them because they out grew their tanks..if they'd bothered to research, they may have found out before hand whether buying them was a wise choice, now these fish end up in a crowded tank waiting for someone who has the ability to house them properly or wait until the shop owner has to euphanaise them...research before you buy people..it's key to a happy tank!!!

 

[sforzauk]

I did research the fish before I bought them, but I thought I could trust the people at the pet shop. I asked if the tank was big enough, after giving measurements and then after asking the 'fish expert' they said that it was fine. And there's nowhere that she can go; not many people having 40gallon tanks lying around. I knew how big she could grow but was assured she would be fine. My neighbour has a red finned shark in a 5 gal, so its not as though Kai is the most deprived fish in the world. And I do try to clean my tank out once a week, its only because I was ill it was delayed.
Anyway, I phoned up the pet shop (who have surprisingly good customer service) and they said that the snails would definately breed, so I've got to get rid of them. Does anyone have an idea on how long they take to breed. And how am I supposed to kill them... ?

 

[WILDER]

Ask this question in tropical chit chat alot of members go over there.
Never kept
snails so wish I could help more.