View Full Version : How big of a tank do I need?
RumpThumper33
12-27-2002, 8:58 PM
I want to have:
2 12" Peacock Bass
2 9" Red Pacu
1 16" Red Tailed Catfish
Once they get bigger than that, I am trading them into my lfs.
pinballqueen
12-27-2002, 9:05 PM
You're gonna hate me.... at least 200 gallons. 300 if you want to keep them for more than a few months... All of those guys are a little territorial.
However, for temporary housing, 125 would work, though they would be unhappy in that for any length of time. Those are some big fish.... where u gonna get them? I'd kind of like a single bass myself in a 55...
RumpThumper33
12-27-2002, 9:24 PM
what about 1 peacock, 2 pacus, 1 rtc? same size
Darkangel
12-27-2002, 9:35 PM
pinballqueen, a 55 is way to small for these fish. Even a 100 for one may be on the small side. These brutes can top out at 24 inches. RumpThumper33, I would suggest nothing less then 200 gallons either. If however you really want these fish to be happy you would need 300 gallons or more. You will be trading these fish in yearly if you give them proper care. Do you have someplace that will take that many of these monsters off your hands that frequently?
RumpThumper33
12-27-2002, 9:46 PM
yeah, my lfs has some REALLY BIG TANKS. I would only keep them until they get too cramped, then I would trade them in. A 300 gallon tank is way too expensive for me. I have a 55, only because my aunt gave it to me. Im 15 years old, I cant spend that kind of cash on my lifeguard salary.
Richer
12-27-2002, 10:22 PM
Sorry for saying this, but that sort of attitude is.. well.. kinda irresponsible. The way I see it, when keeping fish, you plan to keep the fish at its full size. Thinking "I'll just trade these fish in when they get big" just doesn't work. What if your LFS refuses to take them in? What if you can't find anyone to take your fish in? and don't say it doesn't happen... because it does. It has happened to a friend of mine. He has a 6 inch common pleco in his 20 gallon, and it hasn't stopped growing. He can't find anyone willing to take it in.
I have to applaude you for coming here to ask before running off to the fishstore to buy the fish, trust me, thats probably one of the best things you could have done :).
My answer is to not bother with any of those fish. IMHO, those fish shouldn't even be sold to your everyday aquarist.. because most cannot provide a good enough setup for those fish.
HTH
-Richer
Darkangel
12-28-2002, 1:51 AM
Here here Richer more or less my exact thoughts just you put it a lot more bluntly. If you can not afford the upkeep of these fish it is highly doubtful you could or would spend what they would need in food as well. Did you consider what all those fish may eat? Not flake food thats for sure.
Ken91gsx
12-28-2002, 2:32 AM
If you can't afford the large tank, these one other way to have your cake and eat it too.
Go buy a bag of fish food and use the LFS as a feeding farm. Everyday after work go feed the fish and change the water, but don't tell the owner of the LFS.
lols there u go... but seriously Richer nailed it on the head.
Originally posted by Ken91gsx
If you can't afford the large tank, these one other way to have your cake and eat it too.
Go buy a bag of fish food and use the LFS as a feeding farm. Everyday after work go feed the fish and change the water, but don't tell the owner of the LFS.
Originally posted by Ken91gsx
If you can't afford the large tank, these one other way to have your cake and eat it too.
Go buy a bag of fish food and use the LFS as a feeding farm. Everyday after work go feed the fish and change the water, but don't tell the owner of the LFS.
that was funny :)
RumpThumper33
12-28-2002, 10:54 AM
Okay, I guess i wont get those fish. What would be a good set up for me? I have a 55 gallon. I want some fish that get pretty big, and fish that I can throw live fish to and watch them eat them up. Thats what I like about those fish. Any Suggestions?
BigOh
12-28-2002, 11:05 AM
My only suggestion is get a bigger tank or get smaller fish.
I think there are some smaller fish that will take feeders.
But you will not get many big fish in a 55g.
superjohnny
12-28-2002, 12:21 PM
If you just want to feed fish to other fish get an oscar, they eat feeder goldfish just fine.
JohnMemorialHS
12-28-2002, 12:27 PM
oscars gets way too big for 55, in my opinion, even a 75 is barely enough room for a full grown oscar to turn around. I can't think of too many fish that will live in a 55 comfortably when they're adult that will eat feeders, so how about an african clawed frogs? They love feeders.
Ken91gsx
12-28-2002, 12:59 PM
A fish that grows big and eats feeders. Try Birhirs or Datnioids tiger. I have both in a 55 gal and they are fun to watch. Datnioids are fun to watch hunt, not like Oscar the trash can. Any left overs the Bichir will clean up after.
Datnioides max size is 16-24" It will take many years to reach that size. Bichirs you will need to find the spiece that max out at 12-14".
A Peacock bass is OK for a 55gal. You should not have a problem selling it when it gets too big if not....makes a great meal.
PETA "People Eating Tasty Animals" I take mines Blacken.
Sumpin'fishy
12-28-2002, 5:12 PM
I don't mean to be rude or point fingers, but I agree with NONE of what the last post just said. I think you could get away with a Jack Dempsey in a 55 and be ok. Just one though. Alot of us start out liking the biggest, meanest, most aggro cichlids, then we lose alot of fish and wisen up a bit. Have fun and be good to your fish!;)
lotsoffish
12-29-2002, 1:14 AM
If you are having trouble getting big fish I have everything you are looking for!
quick061
12-30-2002, 1:21 AM
i disagree with a lot of this also. i have a large mouth bass that is about 2.5 years old and it is only about a foot long. on top of that it is still in my 20gal tank which i know is way to small for it but my new 90gal is taking time to setup.
i guess what i'm trying to say is that you can get these fish and not worry about the 'max' size for a while. true you will end up eventually having to either upgrade again or get rid of them (i've had plenty of offers to eat mine already) but they are a lot of fun and great to watch feed. i put about 20 goldfish in mines tank at a time and within 5 minutes half are gone, within a few days the rest are also.
so if you have a fish that you really want then get one. i wouldn't suggest getting more than one though because they will outgrow their tank twice as fast.