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King Chubs

King Chubs

Chubs, Mogh, Appolo and, Sherlock
Feb 20, 2006
74
0
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Victoria, BC Canada
www.mapleleafs.com
Hi,
I'm a new aquarium owner, just filled my tank with a bunch of fresh water fish, and I'm loving it. However, my lionhead is being harassed constantly by some of my platys, why is this? Thanks for the responses, really appreciated.
 
One reason might be the fact that from what you stated in your post, you didn't cycle the tank before adding fish (or you added to many fish if you were trying to do a fishy cycle)

If you don't cycle, chances are all of the fish in the tank are going to die.

I don't have an exact link to the nitrogen cycle, but if you use the search feature on these forums you will find a bajillion threads about it, because it is VERY important.

GL with your tank and welcome to the boards :hi:
 
Hi King. Welcome aboard.

By Lionhead I assume you have one of those fancy goldfish with a hood on its head, right? If so, these fish are really alow mowers, and the long fins are like a treat for more active fish like platties.

I would really want you to read this threads:


http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1174
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3194

There, you'll find the info you need to know about cycling your tank, the nitrogen cycle and why water changes are so important.
 
shaunakadub said:
One reason might be the fact that from what you stated in your post, you didn't cycle the tank before adding fish (or you added to many fish if you were trying to do a fishy cycle)

If you don't cycle, chances are all of the fish in the tank are going to die.

I don't have an exact link to the nitrogen cycle, but if you use the search feature on these forums you will find a bajillion threads about it, because it is VERY important.

GL with your tank and welcome to the boards :hi:
Click to expand...
Are you sure yopu were replying to this post, or another, I'm not sure what the cycle has to do with the facy my Platys are attacking my Lionhead.
 
Welcome to the site and to the hobby. You'll certainly find information here. I wish they had message boards, heck wish they had the internet when I began.

Shaun' is right (above) with the importance of cycling an aquarium. You'll find plenty here on that, good tankmates, and good maintenance procedures. You'll also learn that far too many fish retailers don't know how to care for fish. Finding a local fish store (lfs) that has knowledge and good stock is key. Research before purchasing fish is also very important. With the internet google (or Yahoo) will find just about any fish by it's common name or scientific name if you know it.

Back to your question.
1. Lionhead (goldfish?) really shouldn't be kept with tropical fish.
What size tank do you have? Platy's aren't known for harrasing other fish. Perhaps it is mistaking the wobble of the lionhead as a sign of illness. (Fish are relentless on those perishing.)
I'd start by asking if the store will take back the lionhead. What other fish are in the tank?
 
For all those fish I'd go with a tank not smaller then 50 gallons. All goldfish aqre pooping machines that require larger tanks and a very strong filtration.

Let us know the size of the tank and what filter you are using
 
There's no need to get rid of the lionhead, you'll just need to get another tank for him. The platies and mollies are both tropical fish. The lionhead and the blackmoor are coolwater fish. The platies and mollies both need a tank that's heated and kept from 75-80 degrees at all times. The goldfish won't tolerate a tank that warm. I'd recommend a 55 gallon for the goldfish. The platies and mollies can live in anything over a 10 I would think. Also read up on cycling.
 
I've seldom heard of platies that are aggressive towards other species. Perhaps it has something to do with their sexes-- how many male and female platies do you have? If you have way more males than females, the boys may be going a little nuts trying to out-macho one another, and your poor lionhead is getting the brunt of it. Being a poor swimmer, he's an ideal candidate for such a purpose.

I think if I were you, I'd move the two goldies into their own tank if you're set on keeping them. Or hell, just take all the other fish back. The bottom line is that keeping your goldies and tropicals in the same tank for any extended period of time will likely be to the detriment of all the fish involved in the long run. If you do this right and look after him well, your buddy Chubs will probably be around for a good twenty years, so let him be as comfortable as possible! :)
 
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