Starting New Tropical Aquarium

[Stephen1]

Hi there, Am stephen from uk.

Just starting out and have purchased a 95 litre tropical aquarium. Just wondering what would be good to stock in this. Would like at least one species of fish to grow quite big as further down the line will get a larger tank.Was looking at the bala shark or some sort of catfish. And also smaller fish to just fill the tank up. Any help would be greately appreciated.Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to the forums

First of all, I'd like to point you in the direction of our beginners resource center; here; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/. This should help you in the early stages of setting up your tank.

I'd seriously advise you not to get larger species of fish with the intention of getting a larger tank later. Firstly, sometimes people's circumstances change, and they can no longer afford or accomodate the larger tank when it's needed. Second, and most importantly, it is very easy for large fish to become unhealthy or stunted while in a small tank, and it might either get sick or never grow properly. If you want big fish, you should get the big tank first

Hope this doesn't sound too harsh; it's not meant to be; it's just that we on this forum have seen many, many people run into problems keeping fish that aren't really suited to the size of tank they have. They are loads of smaller fish that you could keep that are just as beautiful, interesting and full of personality as the larger species.

Please feel free to pick everyone's brains with any further questions you may have; this is a great, friendly and knowlegable forum and I hope you'll enjoy being here

 

[Stephen1]

Hi there tand thank you for your reply.
Will make sure i read the begginners page first and make sure everything is perfect water levels etc before adding any fish.
Am aware this tank is not that big and in the future some people may not be able to accomodate a larger tank but i am in my house and am very willing to.
Was looking at either the bala shark or Pangasius Catfish. If i get a few of these when small and eventually when start to outgrow then will get the larger tank if this is possible. I know it would be better to start out very big but at the moment have purchased this one.
How long till will need a larger tank with any these two fish.
thanks

 

[Carlovel1]

Hi there tand thank you for your reply.
Will make sure i read the begginners page first and make sure everything is perfect water levels etc before adding any fish.
Am aware this tank is not that big and in the future some people may not be able to accomodate a larger tank but i am in my house and am very willing to.
Was looking at either the bala shark or Pangasius Catfish. If i get a few of these when small and eventually when start to outgrow then will get the larger tank if this is possible. I know it would be better to start out very big but at the moment have purchased this one.
How long till will need a larger tank with any these two fish.
thanks

Both those species grow massive and relatively quickly. A 'big tank' isn't enough, it needs to be gigantic. If you really want them and you want to be considerate to the fishes health, wait a few months until you actually have the big tank then purchase them. If you buy them and put them in your small tank, when they need a bigger tank, something may happen and you cant have the massive tank you planned to get. Then you'll be stuck with massive fish. Anyway 95 liter tank is no where near enough to handle a few Bala Sharks and a Pangasius Catfish even if they are tiny.
Carl

 

[Stephen1]

Hi there, i was not planning on getting both just one or the other. Is there any shark looking fish out there that i can keep in a 95 litre tank that will get upgraded when tank becomes too small. The pet shop said the 95 litre would be fine to keep a few bala sharks but when they grow to their adult size will need a larger tank of course.

 

[fluttermoth]

The trouble is that most large fish do the bulk of their growth within the first year; bala sharks can easily reach 10" in that time and will get to 14" or so fully grown; pangasius catfish might reach 12" or so, but will eventually get to at least 3 feet. Both those fish need to be kept in shoals, as they are both quite skittish and prone to jumping out of tanks or swimming into things out of panic if kept singly. The Bala sharks would be fine in a tank of about 6'x2'x2'; as for the pangasius, with the best will in the world, I doubt if you can accomodate a group of 3 foot fish...I'm of the opinion they shouldn't even be sold in the aquarium trade; you'd need a tropical pond of, what? 12'x12' maybe?

I know I'm sounding like a party pooper and I'm terribly sorry about that, but I do think it would be most unfair to the fish to have them in such a small tank. I'd strongly advise you to set up your 95l and start off with a few of the smaller tropicals so you can learn about the nitrogen cycle, water changing and testing and all the basics, and then move onto the larger tank.

Of course, this is just my advice and you're free to reject it or take it board as you see fit

 

[Stephen1]

ok thank you very much for your advice. I am not sure what will do.really would like some of the bala sharks and had heart set on them. Thinking of about five small ones from the petshop since have to be kept in groups. And within the year get a tank of about 6'x2'x2' like u said to get.

 

[Skins]

Hello Stephen and to the forum.

Skins.

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

to TFF

 

[ian]

hello and welcome to the forum, make sure you have a good luck around, and if there's any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

 

[shasm]

I started a year or so ago, and I thought I would just get a larger tank when the time came. Things change and I now have a fish that is quickly becoming to be big for the 55g and in a year or less will have to get a much larger tank or give the fish away. The truth is if i knew then what i think i know now i would have done something different stock wise.