misc. questions

[stunt 101]

Currently I have-

10 gallon (molly breeding tank)-
-6 mollies (2m4f)
-one male fancy guppy
-2 chinese algae eaters

30 gallon-
-one crayfish (4 inches)
-one small common pleco
-5 feeder 1 ½” goldfish

-each aquarium has whisper filters, gravel, fake plants, heaters, thermometers, airstones, lines and pumps, and some decorations
-i also have a 2 in 1 breeder trap (but I heard that mollies dont do well in small spaces.) tell me info on breeding tips with them

I am going to return the common pleco because he is going to out grow its tank eventually.

questions-
1. will a 4 inch crayfish eat mollies that are full grown and/or babies?
2. what should I do about breeding the mollies, can I put the breeder trap in the large 30 gallon and when the mom is done with giving birth put her back in the 10 gallon and release the babies in the 30 gallon for the crayfish? (that way I wont run into an overcrowding issue with the 10 gallon)
3. since the 2 CAE are going to go carnivorous ill put them in the 30 gallon to help the crayfish eat the dead remains of feeder fish and frozen krill, is this going to work.
4. what fish would work for algae/waste management in a 10 gallon I don’t want to many cuz then I will have overcrowding.
5. could mollies and feeder goldfish eat live ants as a treat?

[aquariumfishguy]

I am truely sorry for not having much time left on the net to talk about your entire thread, but why do you keep 5 goldfish in such a small tank? Just with that topic, the problems I see are:

A. Goldfish get past 1 foot at least. Especially common or "comet" goldfish (what you call "feeder goldfish"). These fish have been known to reach 16+ inches. Goldfish require at least 20 gallons for the first initial fish and then an extra 10-20 gallons per additional fish. So, if you just had a tank for 5 goldfish, you'd be looking at 60 gallons minimum!

B. Plecos have been known to suck on the slime coat of goldfish. Sure, they might all be "small fish" now, but what about in 5-6 months? Or to expand that, what happens in 2 years? You must plan for down to road events, to ensure the hobby stays a hobby and not your job, which makes for a stressful life. :D

I always compare my animals to children. They act the same, cost the same, and in the end...you love them the same.

[stunt 101]

yea im going to return the goldfish and the common pleco for a pleco that doesnt get that big but i need ideas from people on which to get

[aquariumfishguy]

So did you return the fish? In your more recent thread, you said you have 2 feeders in the 30 gallon. Just wondering....;)

[net_shark512]

In response to the pleco get yourself a Clown Pleco they get 6 inches tops. I have had one for some time now and he doesn't seem to even grow very fast,compared to the common ones! HTH

[stunt 101]

i havent had time to return the fish yet

[Gucci_fish]

I suggest a Bristlenose Pleco. :) They're a small variety, too.

[Captain Hook]

Why do you think the chinese algae eaters will become carnivorous? Are you expecting them to eat feeders?

You could probably get away with no algae eaters in your tank unless you have alot of light.

Ottos or amano shrimp would be good choices for algae eaters cause they are really small. A bristlenose pleco would work good in your bigger tank.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Yeah if you have all fake plants in your tank i would reccomend turning the lights on only for half to one hour around feeding time and thats it. That'll cut right down on algae. As long as the tank isn't next to a window, that is. ;)

[Lauren]

The CAF will outgrow that 10g really fast too.