Adding fish to the tank

L

LGWapnitsky

AC Members
Nov 18, 2009
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A little background:

Many years ago, from childhood throughout college, I kept tanks of different sizes with assorted breeds of goldfish/moors/freshwater catfish. I never had a heated tank nor any real specialized fish

Last year, when I closed on my house, I inherited a 75 gallon heated freshwater tank with 7 fish (3 have gone to better places). What I have left are a giant pleco and 3 others I can't really identify, but they all seem happy.

I've just done a huge cleaning/reorganizing of the tank and now it seems empty. I'd like to add some fish, but I"m not sure what types to add and how to properly add them. The place I'd be getting my fish from is about 25 minutes from my house.

Advice is very welcome.

Regards,
Larry
 
:welcome:

Sounds like you have a good starting point for building out your tank. Really need to know what those 3 fish are, though, to suggest compatible tank mates.

Would it be possible for you to post pics of the 3 fish, a pic of the entire tank, and also information about your tank params (filtration, substrate, pH, plants, decor, etc.)?
 
I'll try to get a picture tonight. Like I mentioned, I inherited the tank, so pretty much everything is unknown to me except for the few things I've added/changed over the year:

new filter (Marineland Emperor 400)
A few new plastic plants

There's some shells/coral/rocks from the prior owner in there as well.

Your pH question is interesting. I might bring a sample of the water with me when I hit the aquarium store this weekend...have them test it, then start doing so on my own.
 
Sounds good. :)

I would strongly recommend picking up the API Master Freshwater Test Kit so you can test your pH and also start doing regular checks on your tank's ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

These last 3 are related to your tank's biological state. You may want to read up on tank "cycling" and the beneficial bacteria that process fish waste, if you're not familiar with these topics. They play a key role in keeping fish happy and healthy.
 
I was able to get some pictures with my phone (the good camera isn't charged). Two of the pictures are of the same type of fish.

IMG00020.jpg IMG00027.jpg IMG00028.jpg IMG00031.jpg
 
Pic #'s 2 and 4 are black skirt tetras -- peaceful schooling fish that like company
Pic #3 looks like some kind of barb to me, maybe a tinfoil, which get *huge*. How big is that guy right now? Can you do some searches online for barbs and see if any match this one?

What I would do as next steps:
Make sure your filter and heater are in good working order
Test your water for ammonia / nitrite / nitrate -- if you can't get a test kit, then you can probably bring a water sample to your LFS and get it tested there.
Talk to the LFS about seeing if you can trade in the pleco and the barb (if tinfoil) for better community fish.
Slowly bump up the black skirts to 10-12 (add a few, wait a few days, etc.)
Add other good community fish, depending on what you like and will work well together.

Good looking tank to work with!
 
I can't really tell if that's a barb. I found a picture of a golden tinfoil barb online and it looks similar, but not quite. Also, the top part of the tail on mine is clipped. I don't know if that was from another fish biting it or what. Also, it's about 2.5-3 inches long and hasn't grown much since we inherited him.

I plan on getting the water tested when head to the LFS.

As for the pleco, he's almost like a part of the family. I'd be sad to trade him right now.

The filter is only about 8 months old, and I know the heater is in good condition, as the water is quite warm. I don't have an exact temp on it, but after putting my hand in multiple times, it's not bad at all.
 
i agree with above on trading the pleco unless you really really want him in there, the amount of load he puts on the tank in terms of waste are huge and really inhibit you from adding many more fish to the tank without overstocking.
 
bgcoop8784 said:
i agree with above on trading the pleco unless you really really want him in there, the amount of load he puts on the tank in terms of waste are huge and really inhibit you from adding many more fish to the tank without overstocking.
Click to expand...

Would you recommend getting one or two smaller ones to replace him, or something similar?
 
There are many plecos that look different than yours, but still get super big and messy. If you would like one, though, look for a bristlenose. I think they top out at 4-6".

You can also go for a completly different kind of bottom feeder, like a school of corydoras.
 
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