New Fish

[glolite]

Hi again.
I started a thread about my new tank which comes on Weds. But have just found out that the guy who is selling it is also selling his fish. These include an Indian loach, a plain loach, a plec (not sure which type) and mixed chichlids one of which is a Frontosa. I have 2 questions.

1. Obviously the tank will be drained, so can I put the fish straight back in when it's refilled as the filter should have beneficial bacteria shouldn't it? Or am I being daft??

2. He wants £50 for the lot (of fish) which sounds like a bargain, but someone out there might think otherwise.

 

[kev_kb]

If the filter is transported in old tank water for a short time it should be fine, not sure about the value of the fish though.

 

[sylvia]

Why is this guy selling his tank and fish?

Could you remind us what size tank this is?

I'd also reccomend finding out the exact species in that tank (the pleco could make a huge difference, as could realy aggressive cichlids).

I'm not familiar with the 'plain' loach - is this a clown loach? They also grow big and should be kept with company.

In all honesty, I wouldn't buy the fish. They are probably very much worth the amount he is asking but you may find there are incompatibilities or that they cost you more when they out-grow the tank and you need to find solutions. Tell him to re-home them or buy them and then exchange with an LFs (a good one) for store credit or something.

However, the filter will still contain live beneficial bacteria if you install it immediately once you get the tank and add at least a couple of fish to feed the bacteria. If you don't already know what fish you are going to put in or don't have fish to move into it temporarily, those fish he is selling may be useful until you can re-home them and replace them with your own compatible and suitable choices.

 

[glolite]

Thanks for the replies. There are two clown loaches and an Indian loach and all the fish have been inhis tank and grown there. However, I take your point Sylvia and may well exchange at the LFS anyway as I'd like to choose my own fish. This guy just got fed-up with tropical fish-keeping. Dunno why
Still, will wait and see, they might be georgeous. He reckons the frontosa cichlid is worth about £45 on it's own as all the fish are big.

PS My guppies STILL haven't given birth but they're looking like they might explode! Definately have the gravida spot and one is searching in the plants, hopefully looking for a place to hide her babies.

 

[glolite]

Oops, forgot to answer your question. The tank is a juwel 200litre (approx 44g)

 

[sylvia]

Can't imagine how he could have lost interest

 

[glolite]

The tank is installed and up and running. Have done daily water tests and 10 sometimes 20% changes daily for 3 days but still getting low ammonia readings. The nitrites are nil. Can I do anything else? I added a new wide leaved plant. The temperature is 25c and stable and the fish are feeding well.

 

[sylvia]

Is this the fully set-up tank he sold you? With the fish and everything? Is it a new filter? It shouldn't be cycling... just keep up the water changes.

 

[enchanted]

He may have lost interest because he was probably losing fish.

First, the Frontosa will get much to big for a 44 Gallon tank. They need a bare minimum of 55 and are recommended to have 125 or better.

I'm not sure the width (you haven't said) but if this is a 36" tank it is also too small for the clown loach and possibly the plec (if it's a common).

I'm guessing the other fish are just as bad. And the Ammonia issue was probably there before he sold it because the tank is overstocked.

I realize this isn't you. I would take Sylvias advice and ring up the LFS and start trading fish off.

 

[glolite]

Yes to all There are two clown loach, two indian loach, two red finned sharks and four cichlids plus a common plec. They are all 5 inches or more. I guess overstocked big time. Will try to rehome some. I think some are breeding pairs. The clown loaches and sharks are different sizes. Is it ok to separate breeding pairs or should I rehome a pair of species. Any ideas would be welcome.

 

[sylvia]

It doesn't realy matter though it would be nice to keep any breeding pairs and the clown loaches together wherever they go. Don't worry too much about seperating the sharks though.

 

[glolite]

Thanks
I just investigated the external filter and discovered there was no substrate in it (looked all set up and ready to go to me) ) Got it free with the tank. So anyway, put the substrate in and cleaned the filter and guess what .......
ammonia and nitrites nil 1 hour later yippeeeeee