After research wondering if fish compatible

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snyder1185

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Nov 3, 2006
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I am in college, but I decided to get a tank and some fish. I did some studing on caring for fish and the tank, but I did not know the diversity of fish for small freshwater tanks out there. I'm afraid I may have gotten some fish that are not compatible with one another or tank. They seem fine, but after I did some research I am not so sure.
First, I have a ten gallon tank. I have a gravel bottom with four fake plants, and I an aquarium piece. I have a filter and a heater that keeps the water at about 76-78 degrees. I have five fish: blackfin shark, pictus cat, beta, plecostomus, and a black moor. Are these fish going to be ok with what I have and together. Any tips providing them with the best care, such as the correct food for this group of fish. I am new at this, and I am afraid I jumped the gun and got started too quick. Please, any information will help me. Thank you so much.
snyder1185
 
none of them are good for that size of tank. whatever LFS that told you that they would do well together is wrong and i would advise you not to go back there after you return all of the fish except for the betta, but i think you should start over so you'll have a clean slate to work with.

first, how long has you tank been set up?
is it cycled?
what type of filtration do you have?
do you have a test kit to test the water? if not, you should buy one.
 
snyder1185 said:
I am in college, but I decided to get a tank and some fish. I did some studing on caring for fish and the tank, but I did not know the diversity of fish for small freshwater tanks out there. I'm afraid I may have gotten some fish that are not compatible with one another or tank. They seem fine, but after I did some research I am not so sure.
First, I have a ten gallon tank. I have a gravel bottom with four fake plants, and I an aquarium piece. I have a filter and a heater that keeps the water at about 76-78 degrees. I have five fish: blackfin shark, pictus cat, beta, plecostomus, and a black moor. Are these fish going to be ok with what I have and together. Any tips providing them with the best care, such as the correct food for this group of fish. I am new at this, and I am afraid I jumped the gun and got started too quick. Please, any information will help me. Thank you so much.
snyder1185
Click to expand...

Hello,

The first thing is that the Blackfin Shark, Pictus Cat, Pleco, and the Black Moore get way, way too big for a 10 gallon. So you should return the four fish very soon to the petstore. You should keep the betta and add a nice shoal of 3-4 Panda Cories(they grow to about one inch and a half). They are very cute little catfish that are not that hard to keep. They like to eat flakes, shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and blood worms. Panda Cories are very peaceful. Type in their name at google and you'll get tons more info on them or look on their profile on this site. Also you could add a nice school of Neon Tetras(about 5-6 of them). They grow to about the same length of the Panda Cories and are also very peaceful.

Don't feel bad, everyone makes mistakes(I made ones just like you when I started out).

Cory Lover
 
I have an Aqua Tech Power Filter 10/20. It came with the tank. I believe my mistake was getting all of this at Wal-Mart. We have no good pet store in this town. It is a small college town. Like the town motto goes, a party town with a football problem. Anyway, I have the filter said above. I have had the fish about three weeks, and they really do seem to be doing fine. If they get too big, I can't take them back to Wal-Mart. What is the best way to give them away without doing them harm.
I'm not sure if the tank is cycling. I have read about it, but I'm not completely sure what it is yet. I do not have any water testers, but I will go get some. When I do, what is the best or correct results I should get, and what should I do if I get incorrect results. Thanks for your help so far.
 
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

You need to return the fish mentioned, maybe keeping the betta. Get a good liquid test kit that will measure ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.

In a completely cycled tank that has an established biological system, the ammonia and nitrites should be zero and nitrates around 10.

You could jump start the tank with bio-spira; don't let them sell you the other snake oils that will not start your tank. If you keep any of the fish you have, you will be doing a fishey cycle and will need to monitor the water closely and do several water changes.
 
your pleco will reach 20-24 inches
the black moor will get big, think of a 2 lb black egg with fins and big eyes

take them back to walmart now while your 90-day return policy is still in effect. unless you plan on getting a bigger tank for these fish within 6 months, and a separate 30g tank for the moor, there's no way you can keep them humanely. even if they "look fine" they aren't compatible and will be slowly but surely all be stunted, which will lead to stress, illness, and a painful early death for each one.

i would recommend either a school of small tetras (6-7) and one or two otos or a snail.

take the fish back, do some more research (you're in college, you understand the importance of research), prepare your tank, and THEN get fish.
 
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