The Right Fish

[willbo]

First off. Would you say this is in the right forum category?

That out of the way. Im getting a 40 UK gallon fish tank. Are these fish suitable to go together, and would they be able to go in that size tank? They are:

a fire eel, an angel fish, columesus puffer, 2 black ghost knifefish, a silver dollar.
I would also like a few plecs and gouramis, could suggest any suitable ones.

Thanks Willbo

 

[OohFeeshy]

First off. Would you say this is in the right forum category?

That out of the way. Im getting a 40 UK gallon fish tank. Are these fish suitable to go together, and would they be able to go in that size tank? They are:

a fire eel, an angel fish, columesus puffer, 2 black ghost knifefish, a silver dollar.
I would also like a few plecs and gouramis, could suggest any suitable ones.

Thanks Willbo

Uh, no way, Jose!

Fire eels- Get too big, if I remember
Puffers- Puffers DO NOT = community fish
BGK- Far too big, can't keep 2 BGK in one tank, if I recall, get to... 3ft? Something like that.
Silver dollar- Schooling.

 

[loachylover]

Hi Willbo

The only fish on your list that i have experience with is Angels and Black Ghost Kinfe Fish

For starters a 40 Gallon tank is not big enough for 1 BGK, they can grow to 30" +, although they probs wont reach that massive size a 40G tank is way to small, it is also said that you cannot keep more than 1 BGK in a tank as their electrical currents can confuse the other BGK.

Angels would be fine for your tank, but the other fish i have no experience with

Hope this Helps

 

[ARXC08]

I say the only fish u could keep are angelfish. Silverdollars might be ok but 40 UK is kind of small for a school of silver dollars.

 

[tenxiong]

You want to keep all those fish in that 40 gallon, well you can if you want to but it's not a good idea because of the different sizes and temperments. They'd probably end up killing each other and also, I think some of the fish you selected have different eating habits from one another so some might end up starving.

 

[andywg]

You couldn't keep one BGK in that tank (they are rumoured to get past 20 into 22" territory, but 18" is a good size in captivity) and I would not want to put more than one in anything less than a 6x2x2.

I would not want a puffer in with any other fish unless they are armour plated, too many people have lost fish to them.

Basically, you need to do a bit of a rethink on the size of fish you want (or buy a bigger tank).

On a side note, most of the stories about the electrical fields confusing/upsetting othe BGK are just that, stories from people who have not kept them. Many people have had good success keeping more than one BGK, you just need to give them enough room and hiding places (as with any semi aggressive species). They soon settle down.

 

[willbo]

Hi thank you all for all of your advise on this matter. I have been assured by my LFS that i can keep a fire eel in the 40 UK gallon tank. This is now my plan for the fish:

A fire eel,
and an angel fish,

I would also like to keep a few gouramis and plecs. Can u suggest any suitable ones?

Thanks Willbo

 

[OohFeeshy]

I have been assured by my LFS that i can keep a fire eel in the 40 UK gallon tank.

Who want you to buy a fire eel.... Are we trying to sell you things? No. Therefore, I think our advice is much better to rely on.

 

[ARXC08]

U can't keep a fire eel in there, they get too big. But the LFS don't know what they are talking about ive heard them seeling bala sharks to be kept in 10 gallon with normal plecos. Seen people buy oscars for ten gallons. Trust me don't rely on the LFS's info.

 

[lucky62]

Willbo ,
are you confusing fire and tire track eels ?

maybe the shop owner is ?

there is a member here that I believe keeps 2 BGKs in the same tank , just don't think it's a 40 gallon .

 

[Juno]

@wilbo:

if you really want to keep a eel rather get a peacock or a zebra spiny eel they stay quite small. about 20cm max. the fire eel will get to big and as they grow they lose that brilliant red and orange couloration.
here is a pic of my fire eel.

as you can see from the pic all the colours have faded away. he is between 55 and 60cm at the moment (60cm = 2 foot) he will most probably grow another 10 to 20cm before he is fully grown. thats alsmost 3 feet.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Willbo, it might be an idea to think through what it is you like about the fish you mentioned and then see if there isn't something smaller that matches those same qualities (continuing the same line of thought as Juno above- brilliant pic, Juno!)

A common plec will get too big, but there are smaller plecs. A bristlenose will be fine and still looks good. Or a whiptail catfish (rhineloricaia), they're a bit more unusual. Or a twig catfish (farlowella).

For the silver dollars, maybe you could find some smaller tetras that would do the same for you. Is it the colour you like, or the tight schooling?

Gouramis shouldn't be a problem up to the size of about pearls. Just don't put them with anything nippy.

 

[lucky62]

Willbo ,
are you confusing fire and tire track eels ?

maybe the shop owner is ?

there is a member here that I believe keeps 2 BGKs in the same tank , just don't think it's a 40 gallon .

I meant Peacock , not tire track .


)

my Son has 2 ................

 

[pica_nuttalli]

Willbo ,
are you confusing fire and tire track eels ?

maybe the shop owner is ?

there is a member here that I believe keeps 2 BGKs in the same tank , just don't think it's a 40 gallon .

I meant Peacock , not tire track .


)

my Son has 2 ................

speaking of your son, i've not seen him around much. he busy with school lately? or has the excitement of being a respected contributer on a forum worn off?

 

[lucky62]

Willbo ,
are you confusing fire and tire track eels ?

maybe the shop owner is ?

there is a member here that I believe keeps 2 BGKs in the same tank , just don't think it's a 40 gallon .

I meant Peacock , not tire track .


)

my Son has 2 ................

speaking of your son, i've not seen him around much. he busy with school lately? or has the excitement of being a respected contributer on a forum worn off?

are you saying I'm not a respected contributer , we had a problem with spy ware and viruses last week , so he's had to find other things to occupy his time , he's been around the forums the last few days , though not much.
Thanks for noticing his absence , I'll let him know you were asking