Will This Work?

brandoncw

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Ok yes i know im a newbie, but im here to ask questions before i start, so please no bashing. I have a 75 gallon tank with two 60 gallon filters, the tank is fully cycled, water temp a steady 78 degrees, neutral water ph, driftwood and live and plastic plant mix, and a sand substrate. I was wondering if i could accommodate 2 rbps in the tank about 2 inches long and raise them to their full size without any problems, yes ik things can happen at any time but im just askng if they are most likely to be fine. Thanks for your input.
 
What is your water's pH? I believe rbps need very soft water.
 
AmtotheBurr said:
What is your water's pH? I believe rbps need very soft water.
my ph is neutral (7.0) do they need softer or its that ok?
 
I am not very good with anagrams...what are rbps?
 
Also, the GH (general hardness) is actually the more significant issue than pH (provided the latter is not extreme) for fish, so knowing the GH of your source (tap) water would help.  This you should be able to get from the municipal water authority website.
 
Byron.
 
brandoncw said:
rbps= red bellied piranhas and for the tap water parameters i will have in a few mins

http://callaway2water.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/water_news_2015.pdfthis is the link to my tap water records
 
Thanks.  On the water...the GH is listed as between 261 and 345 mg/l (= ppm), or between 14 and 19 dGH.  This, subjectively, is fairly hard water.  The pH is given as 7 to 7.5.  The pH is OK, but the GH is on the hard side for this species (Pygocentrus nattereri).
 
You asked if two could be raised in a 75g tank.  Yes, but no.  This is a shoaling fish (meaning a species that needs a group), though on and off in a sense.  A single fish, or a small group of 5 (much more preferable), is advisable.  They will naturally form an hierarchy within the group.  Eventually the group would need a much larger tank (8 feet in length), as this fish should attain 10-14 inches and needs a lot of space.  Unless this is intended, I would not jeopardize the fish initially, since it will not suit a 75g for very long.
 
Byron.
 
brandoncw said:
so just one piranha will be fine?
 
Technically, from the aspect of tank size and fish size, yes.  But this is not fair to the fish, and many would call it cruel.  This species is programmed by evolution to live in groups, and that is a component of its life.  I am an aquarist who does not condone forcing a fish into an artificial situation that denies it something it considers essential to its life...see the green citation in my signature.
 
Byron.
 
Byron said:
I am not very good with anagrams...what are rbps?
 
Also, the GH (general hardness) is actually the more significant issue than pH (provided the latter is not extreme) for fish, so knowing the GH of your source (tap) water would help.  This you should be able to get from the municipal water authority website.
 
Byron.
As far as I was aware, piranha weren't really schooling fish per say.

While they are known as ravenous eaters when in a frenzy, Pirhana don't really school together. But you're the expert.
 
ok, ive dont some of my own research and found red bellies are perfectly fine as a solitary fish so from the two contradictory ideas ive made up my mind to get 3 (yes i know this isnt really a shoal) andbi wil upgrade the tank as needed for they are only two inches long at the moment, now on to food. i have frozen brine shrimp and bloodworms, are those acceptable foods?
 
brandoncw said:
ok, ive dont some of my own research and found red bellies are perfectly fine as a solitary fish so from the two contradictory ideas ive made up my mind to get 3 (yes i know this isnt really a shoal) andbi wil upgrade the tank as needed for they are only two inches long at the moment, now on to food. i have frozen brine shrimp and bloodworms, are those acceptable foods?
 
Now, this (having three) is even worse than one.  Shoaling fish need a group and five or six is the recommended minimum.  As I said previously, this fish will form a hierarchy within the group, and having three or four is almost certain to cause serious issues as certain fish will be picked on.  The same principle applies to angelfish and discus, plus loaches, and many other shoaling fish.
 
I am not going to continue to argue what is scientific fact.  You asked for advice, it has been given.  I am sorry that you place your own wants above the care of your fish, but I cannot help that.  Good luck.
 
Byron.
Ziggoulous said:
 
As far as I was aware, piranha weren't really schooling fish per say.

While they are known as ravenous eaters when in a frenzy, Pirhana don't really school together. But you're the expert.
 
 
The species Pygocentrus nattereri is a shoaling fish.  If you don't want to take my word for it, here is a reputable authority:
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pygocentrus-nattereri/
 
It so happens that the Vancouver Aquarium has a very large (floor to ceiling) tank with a group (I think there are 8 or 9 piranha) of this species, and they have had them for many years.  This is how the fihs should be maintained.  And it is really not a species for a home aquarium unless one has an enormous tank.
 
Byron.
 
Kristine on 

2009-02-27 02:37:04
 wrote

"I agree, no one should purchase these marvelous fish for a feeding show. I purchased 2 adult red bellied piranha recently and they are awesome fish, they have been raised on frozen food and pellets, so they are very calm, and beautiful fish. I have them in a 75 gallon tank, I purchased window tint that clings to windows, to put under my light, you would have to have a glass top for this, it works awesome. They are very active fish, sometimes they jump when interacting, so a good top that covers most of the tank is recommended. They don't eat nearly as much as people think, a couple mouthfulls of food every day or every other day. Not for the beginner though as you need to have good husbandry practices and some experience with other fish. I raised smaller fish for years before moving up to these guys. They are great and would recommend them to a SERIOUS fish lover, thanks."
ive seen many comments like this, im am a beginner to piranhas so this was the reason ive started this, ive had experience with other fish starting at 10 years old when my grandpa got me into the hobby. again ive seen many people taking care of this fish species have perfectly fine fish in groups smaller than 5-6 without to much fighting between the fish, if any. sorry i seem ignorant and blowing off info i asked for but im also doing research off this site. and if i could please get an acceptable food for 2 inch piranhas that would be helpful, i have a few packs of frozen blood worms if that is fine.
 

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