My new 18 gallon tank! Opinions?!

[-[AnThOnY]-]

Well i just got this tank about 2 months ago, have caught all of the fish i have, which include 6 blue cats, 2 bass, 3 perch and 1 killifish

This is my first fish tank, and im very happy for everything to be getting settled in, please let me know your opinions on anything, could use the help :)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=71&pictureid=385

my smaller bass (about 3") showing color well
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=71&pictureid=384

my larger bass (about 4")
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=71&pictureid=386


Comments?
better pictures soon, and some of catfish on way

[tropical94]

A 18g is WAYYYYYY to small for bass. But the fish look good though.

[Bk718]

looking good, just hope you got a better place for the fish in the future months...

[SchizotypalVamp]

It does look good! But I hope you know what you are going ot do with them. It's not a good idea, also, to release fish back into the wild once they've been in tanks, as they can introduce disease.

[jpappy789]

I agree with the others...nice looking tank but not an appropriate choice of fish.

[Coler]

It is very hard for me to believe that you've done this but I am going to give the benefit of the doubt to you and offer you some advice in good faith.

As you ask for help; please click here http://www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/results.php for information on Bass. You have 2 fish there that hit 25'' - 30'' as adults and need a massive tank to keep.

I am really hoping when you say Blue Cats you do not mean Blue Channel Catfish, North America's largest native fish, 65'' adult length http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=261

Even if you mean Blue Catfish these hit up to 20'' adult size http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=22

I don't know what kind of Perch you have (Yellow Perch if in USA ?) but these also get generally too large for your tank.

Solution : Massive tank...I don't know...how does 200 Gallons grab you (I'm no expert on these fish but that's ballpark). Even then I don't know that you can keep all those fish safely.

What you can not do is release those fish back into the wild now that they have been in your aquarium. It is almost certainly illegal where you are to do so anyway, and is extremely dangerous for the ecosystem. I don't even know whether it was legal to catch them and keep them alive anyway.

Realistic solution : To be perfectly frank, unless you are going to wind up with the sort of tank size mentioned above, you should take those fish and euthanize them, except the killifish, which you should also euthanize if it is illegal to catch and keep wild fish in your area. Here is some information on how to do it http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148361&highlight=euthanize

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I assure you I am not the over-stocking police. I am however telling you that you should click away on those links up there, realise exactly what you've got (wild predatory animals which hit close to 2 feet in length) and ask yourself can I really keep these animals healthy. Do yourself and the fish a favour, euthanize them, and start again with some appropriately sized animals for that tank.

And look, welcome to AC :) We'd be delighted to help you start something appropriate and enjoyable (for you and the fish) in that tank.

[Flaringshutter]

Fish look good so far... but you'll be better served going over to Monsterfishkeepers. There are tons of bass and catfish keepers over there. Plus you can get an idea of the size tank you're going to need to keep them. HUGE.

[jm1212]

im thinking more of a 600 gallon range.

not only do bass get huge, but they can be nasty...

[finsNfur]

Oh dear, nice fish, but definitely way too small a tank for them.

I hope we haven't scared you away!

[Rbishop]

Have you got any filtration on that tank at all? :headshake2:

[NeonFlux]

Oooh boy... Trade those fish for store credit. I would do that. Then get fish that is suitable for your 18gal

[-[AnThOnY]-]

thanks for the help, will take into consideration

as for the size, i was told by many that they will only grow to a size big enough for there tank, as in small tank they stay small larger tank they grow bigger, is this wrong?

thanks

[NeonFlux]

Well, they may stay small, but unfortunately their insides are still growing larger while their outside are not.

[-[AnThOnY]-]

oh! well that doesnt sounds like it will end well.

[SchizotypalVamp]

They will stunt after growing inappropriately large for the tank, horribly lowering their lifespan, quality of life, and resistance to disease-not something that any responsible pet owner wants. I agree with Coler-we really don't want to scare you away. You didn't know.
There are plenty of fish for an 18 gallon tank, but these guys aren't them.

[-[AnThOnY]-]

thanks for the help, i feel kinda bad, i know somebody with a nice size pond, should i see if he wants them and then re populate my tank accordingly

[SchizotypalVamp]

Awesome :). Thank you for being receptive and responsible! Not everyone is..

For your future fish, please read here:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81388
And here, if what Rb said is true:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155028

[-[AnThOnY]-]

i love fish, but not to cause harm like that

[Coler]

-;1477874']thanks for the help, i feel kinda bad, i know somebody with a nice size pond, should i see if he wants them and then re populate my tank accordingly

Exactly the right idea. Good call.

[Rbishop]

When you are ready to stock it properly, just post you thoughts in a new thread and we can help you make the right selections!

[KuchDaddy]

I gotta admit, even though it was a bad idea, it looked pretty cool.
Yeah, those fish would be happier back in their pond/lake/whatever.

[wataugachicken]

don't worry, in five years when you're completely fish crazy and have 17 tanks in your house, you'll start wondering if you can fit a 600g pond in the basement. and THEN you can have your bass and catfish.

[Mgamer20o0]

get your fishing pole out