A discussion about "monster" fish and their tank size

[msjinkzd]

Alot depends on the activity level of the fish. Polypterus is a great example of a fish at the lowest end of the activity spectrum. They can be very comfortable in a tank just big enough for them to turn around in as long as maintenance maintains adequate water quality. Putting active fish such as Koi or other large Cyprinids in a tank they can barely turn around in wouldn't be a good idea.

this is an EXCELLENT point.

I agree and think its best to tell the truth about what is possible as an experienced fish keeper/breeder, then to try and shield the novice with unrealistic prerequisites to guard them against the inevitable learning curve. Example. I have had my healthy Gobi Dragon in my 120 tropical community tank for almost 3 years now in-spite of the outcries of for a large brackish tank and that the Gobi would suffer and die horrible flesh disease death. In fact he has done remarkable well and continues to grow and eat pellets, flake and everything else I feed my fish.

Eventually I will have to move him to the larger 160 or 210 tank but for now he is doing a great job beating all the odds that he would not live long or grow.

I guess what I don't like is when its presented as only ONE way to keep these fish. Its a curve of keeping.

And this generally the attitude/view that pushing the larger already established setup on people tries to prevent. :uhoh:



The thing is, the response usually isn't meant to force or trick the person into getting the bigger setup right away. It is to make sure the person knows what they are doing/getting into and have them plan accordingly.


yes, buut its rarely presented that way. People often say no or you can't, rather than do you know?

Usually when the issue of tank size comes up it is with a newbie that doesn't know they need the bigger tank in the first place. That is why the 'upgrade or return the fish' attitude gets used. The person has no established plan to care for the fish.

Now the proper water issue is an entirely different monster. Especially considering that the 'proper' water conditions for BW fish can be very tricky (considering how much salinity change happens and how much migration occurs for brackish systems). The reason 'proper' salinity is pushed so hard there is that brackish water fish tend to look perfectly healthy in freshwater until they take a rapid turn in health. The 'proper' salinity isn't necessarily what the fish naturally lives in and isn't necessarily the only water it can live in (ie: Green-Spotted Puffers can live happily in marine setups, even though brackish is usually immediately suggest). It is what the fish can live in for it's life without risking that rapid crash in health that usually kills them.
Even in that situation though, the advice is usually that the person will need brackish as soon as possible.

bracksih is a whole new can of worms

I agree with the OP. I'm growing out a 3" Delhezi in a 10g tank now for 2 reasons: It's easier to feed him and if I dump into the monster tank now, he'd be swallowed.



I think it's a great idea to put baby monsters in a growout tank if you already have it's adult tank, but too many people say they're upgrading soon and for whatever reason don't.

yeeeea, but often they will. To be degraded BEFORE the fact is my problem. If the fish hits adult size and is suffering, give 'em hell...but until then, just make sure they have the facts

 

[Mgamer20o0]

its the same thing with stocking.... one of those what someone new to the hobby vs someone who has more experience. someone just starting out has less of a chance of knowing when to upgrade or even upgrading vs someone who been in the hobby for a while. new person starting out should stock lighter until they are up with how the system balances out and keeping up with the wcs.

having the big tank ready isnt a must but i think its one of those things if you have to ask you should have it.