ah, flounders

windeindoiel

windeindoiel

I
Mar 24, 2005
153
0
0
40
Canada
It's quite the coincidence that flounders were just posted about and now I've discovered them just today, so I'm doing all the research I possibly can on them. Because they're cute, awesome, and I love them and want some. I read the article that was posted in oddball's post about flounders. My question is different though, I simply ask for all the information anyone has to offer. Finding stuff on the internet is proving tougher than I had hoped, I'm getting a lot about how to cook them. So here are some questions.

1. They are the flat little grey guys right? I'm unsure about my pet store calling them by the right name. They're tiny right now, and I don't think the lfs is feeding them, because when I asked what they eat she said she didn't know. Also, I was getting snails out of that tank and they didn't seem to be bothered at all by the net, even when I came extremely close, do you think buying them from here is too risky? At the same time I've never seen them before, so I'm absolutely fascinated.

2. I'm going to be keeping them in brackish water. Right now they're in fresh so that's where they'll start. Are there any tankmates that would work when they're older? I've read they're species only but are there any brackish surface dwelling fish that might get left alone, and leave them alone? Also I was considering putting them in with my DP's and amano shrimp until I can get a tank cycled for them, right now they're about as big as the DP's, do you think they would pose a threat to each other? I hear flounders like to nip fins. And I know DP's at least like to check things out, although they leave my shrimp alone.

Ok that might have been more than 2 questions. And am I missing anything? Thanks for the help, I want to do this thing right.
 
What size tank will these guys get put in??? They grow a nice 5-6 inches in length and pretty wide around.

1. They are flat and their colors will differ from time to time since they have the ability to do this. They will eat almost anything that can it in their mouths. Make sure this is not a sole or a tonguefish of any kind (I doubt it) or that its not a hillstream loach AKA Borneo Sucker. At this stage in their lives, they will probably only eat live foods, preferably brine shrimp They will NOT touch flake foods. They normally are placid when threats come around because they think they can fool the predators by keeping still.

2. I would NOT keep them with DPs or Amano shrimp at all. The flounders will eat the DPs when the flounders get big enough and the flounders will SURELY eat the shrimp. Also, DPs will harass the flounders to probably death. In addition to this, DPs dont like brackish water, neither do amano shrimp.

I would suggest Archer fish as a surface dweller, but with 2-3 flounders, lets say, and 1-2 archers, you're looking at a REALLY large tank.
 
To start with I'd ideally put them in a 20 gal. A 10 gal if I must. Right now they're about an inch long, and of course their tank would be upgraded as they grow. I've decided against the DP tank because I'd like to monitor the fish because of their current treatment. I've done some more reading and it seems like aggression from the flounders won't be such a big deal, so I was thinking bumblebee gobies? Also do flounders do well in groups, or alone? I was thinking 2 or 3 if I buy them tonight. Right now the fish are in fresh water so I'd want to slowly convert them to brackish, which was why I was thinking the DP tank would be ok, but yes, I've scratched that idea. Also are these fish likely wild caught or captive bred? How big of a tank do you think I'd need in the long run? Hmm... I think that's all my questions for now.

At first I thought it was a hillstream loach which was why I at first showed interest, but then I found out differently, and when I go back now that I know more what flounders are supposed to look like I can inspect them better.

And thanks for the quick response oddball. :)
 
Flounders will do fine in groups or alone, doesn't matter. BBGs will definitely be eaten as soon as the flounders get big enough, so that'd be a no.
 
Ok so I was thinking perhaps some half beaks, mollies, and platys (platies?). If I deaquire some that might be ok. If I were to do that would it be a massacre? Or would a fish disappear occasionally? If I lost a fish every now and then that would be ok, but if I woke up one day and had 2 fat flounders staring at me and that was it I would not be pleased.

I decided to get 2 also, would that combination cause problems? I know that for some fish you should either keep them alone or in groups of 5 or more so no one gets too picked on. Is this the same with flounders or would a pair be alright together?

How long does it take them to grow? Would a 44 gal be enough for the 2 in the long run? My boyfriend is building a 204 gal and when he finishes that we'll most likely either get rid of what's in the 44 gal or move it to the 204 gal. I'm guessing the plecos couldn't stay with the flounders though...?

What kind of decorations do they need? Plants? Rocks? Just a nice sandy bottom? I was thinking if I put the mollies and all that in I could pile up some rocks in one of the corners and then put plants in the rocks and that could be the other fishes hiding places.

:read: :help: :dive2:
 
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