Advice on what to do with my tank...

enrique4jc

enrique4jc

AC Members
Oct 17, 2006
615
13
18
Russell Springs, KY
Real Name
Eric
I specify what's going on in my tank in my signature. Obviously there is a lot to be done to get things in better shape, but I'm working on it.

As is stated in the signature:
- I recently learned that mixed fruit tetras are dyed fish and so will not be purchasing any more...ever! But while I have them, I will keep them, enjoy them, and when the pass on replace them with a fish that hasnt been tortured to look pretty for me!
- There are 4 more neon tetras on their way into the tank when they come out of the QT tank.
- I would like to set up a barb species tank with tiger barbs, albino tiger barbs, and green barbs when i am able. When that time comes, rest assured I'll be asking for the help of this community to figure it all out. This might take a while, so in the mean time my lone tiger barb is behaving and I'll leave it be.
- I have 3 (that's right 3!) Chinese Algae Eaters that are about 3 - 3 1/2 inches long and are beginning to show a bit of agression. I hope to get rid of them, and am going to try to preserve their lives if I can, so I will not euthanize at this point. If I can find a buyer (or even a taker), I'll pass them on to a new home.

Bearing all that in mind, I have a few questions. First, are there any immediate problems with my fish selection that need to be addressed? Second, am I overstocked, understocked, or just about right? Third, pending the Tiger Barb and the Chinese Algae Eaters come out, what should I do to round out my tank well, particularly considering my want of a clean-up crew to replace the CAE's?

Any other general advice you have would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric
 
If the three algea eaters cant behave them selvs, then two need to go. As far as the neons are concerned. Two is company, three is a crowd, and four is the bare minimum for a school. You should get those neons out of quarantine as soon as you posibly can and get them all swiming together. The more there are of them, the less stressed an the healthier they will be. I stress that becasue for some reason cardnials and neons are not as resiliant to desiese as most other fish. they can be kinda sickly. The tiger barb also should get out of the way as soon as they can. He will beat up on all your other fish if he is the only one in a tank. they again are a schooling fish, and need to be with more than four of thier own kind. If he is stressed from being by himself, he will get mean and *****y, take it out on the other fish, and then he will get sick and die, then his sickness will get to your neons. So that is a transition you should make as soon as possible. After you get done taking moving all the fish that you planned on moving, you will have some room for more aditions in a 30g. As for right now, i wouldnt add anyhting at all. Your preaty close to pushing your limit. except for maybe 3 or four more black skirt tetras (the healdight taillight ones - also a schooling fish)

Headlight/taillight.... looks like a black skirt tetra to me
 
Head and Tailights don't really look like Skirt tetras to me. ;)

Here is my school:
handts.jpg

kinda blurry, but you can tell what they look like

I'd definitely get more of them, if you want to keep the one you have. Get atleast 4 or 5 more.

If you can't move the Tiger Barb out soon and get him a school, it would be best to just give him to the LFS and then get some later on when you have the tank.

3 schools of fish is alot for a 29g, but it can work...just keep an eye on your water parameters and do weekly water changes.

If you take out the CAEs (which i suggest), then you could add a shoal of cories. I'd get 6. Also, you could get 3-4 otocinclus for algae. Then your tank would be stocked.
 
If the three algea eaters cant behave them selvs, then two need to go.
Click to expand...

The only agression that the Chinese Algae Eaters seem to show is chasing each other around the tank. They havent bothered any of the other of fish. If I get rid of two is one still good in the tank, because I have been told I should get rid of the CAE's altogether in a 29 gallon tank. Do I get rid of them all, or just get rid of a couple and keep one to clean things up?

As far as the neons are concerned. Two is company, three is a crowd, and four is the bare minimum for a school. You should get those neons out of quarantine as soon as you posibly can and get them all swiming together.
Click to expand...

I'm working on this. The other four will be in next week, and that will make 7 total. I might add a few more to round it out to 10 or 12. There is not a great deal of bioload from them is there?

The tiger barb also should get out of the way as soon as they can. He will beat up on all your other fish if he is the only one in a tank.
Click to expand...

It is behaving right now, and so I'm not having any problems. I might see if an LFS will take him. Maybe I can give the tiger barb and the CAE's to the same place if they will take them off my hands!

Thanks! Any other ideas?
 
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