overstocked?

[zazz]

overstocked???!!!

I just had to share this listing from my local freecycle site:

OFFER: 5 gallon aquarium
It's glass, rectangular, has all the things you need, even the fish.
1 black angel
1 goldfish
1 pink and 1 blue tetra
1 catfish (eats the leftover food).

I responded right away to this offer, usually it's first come first served. I hope to get the tank. but can u imagine???
All I have a ten gallon that isnt even cycled yet, I will have to find homes for these fish....
Are pink and blue tetra those 'painted 'fish?
I cant wait to hear how this tank came to be.
Freecycle sites are pretty cool places to get some equipment from sometimes though,just fyi.

 

[Candycat21]

To answer your questions, yes that tank is incredibly overstocked!!
Angels will need at least a 15-20 gal high, but this is by far the min!
That goldfish needs to be in something at least 20 gallons or more.
It sounds like those "blue and pink" tetras are the painted fish. They're going to lose that colour very soon and may come with health problems due to being dyed.
I'm not sure what type of catfish that tank comes with, but if its a pygmy corey then it might be ok, but generally all cories need a larger tank and they also like to be in groups of at least 3 or more.
If the catfish is any other type of catfish then it's going to have to be moved as most can attain very large sizes!
Another thing, you never really want to mix goldfish and tropical fish in the same tank, especially in something as small as a 5gallon. I'm sure you're aware of all that Goldfish are coldwater fish, need different foods, produce large amounts of waste/ammonia and get quite large as well.
Just about every fish that comes with that tank is inappropriate, none of their needs are going to be met and they won't be very happy either, thus stressing them out and opening all the doors for all kinds of problems including disease and infection, growth stunting etc.
IMHO I wouldn't buy the tank at all as this company obviously doesn't know anything about fish keeping and the requirements of the tanks inhabitants. Just a scam to get your money IMO.
I wouldn't support that :thud:
Hope I answered your questions and they help you out some.
I guess if you're just wanting the tank and will find homes for the other fish if you dont have the space to house them, I guess its okay. I just wouldn't buy it myself.

 

[ashdavid]

IMHO I wouldn't buy the tank at all as this company obviously doesn't know anything about fish keeping and the requirements of the tanks inhabitants. Just a scam to get your money IMO.
I wouldn't support that :thud:
Hope I answered your questions and they help you out some.
I guess if you're just wanting the tank and will find homes for the other fish if you dont have the space to house them, I guess its okay. I just wouldn't buy it myself.

I agree with Candycat21 with the overstocking issue. These fish are going to be sold to someone and that someone might or might not know anything about aquariums, if they do then thats great because they would probable do what i suggest you do. If want another tank on top of the 5g, I suggest getting a tank big enough to hold the angel and and other fish ( dont put the gold in there their needs are different to the other fish). Then you could get something that will go in the 5g and what you have got is a cheap 5g with cheap fish.You will have to buy another tank but if thats not possible buy the tank and find homes for the fish, preferablely the other way around.

 

[zazz]

I guess I didnt make myself clear. I was SHOCKED and amazed at how overstocked this tank was! Not to mention all the other issues you've pointed out.

'painted' fish are a horror IMO.

It's like a nightmare tank from Hell!! Maybe that should have been the subject heading.

Also, the tank isnt being sold, it is being offerred for free by a private individual at a site called freecycle, where people exchange all sorts of things for free. It is where I got my ten gallon tank. Freecycle is a nice idea. They are yahoo groups and they are local. I recomend them.

I responded to this offerring within 5 minutes of its posting, as it happens. I did ask if she were sure it was only 5 gallons, with all those fish ( hoping it had been a misprint maybe) I held my tongue other than that because I didnt want to offend her in hopes of getting the tank. I have heard back and apparently there are two people ahead of me who want this tank. I can only hope that whoever takes this tank will get those fish out of there and into appropriate homes asap.
I will be interested to know whether some fishsalesperson actually aided and abbetted in creating this "unusual" community tank, or just How it came to be... and how long they've been there, and who in the area is selling painted fish! (no, not because im looking for one, because i might go there and tell them what i think.) ...I'll let you know.
thanks ~ Z

 

[Nuriel]

i love freecycle, and craigs list as well. keep us updated on what happens!

 

[ashdavid]

Well zazz like I said in my first post, the tank may be sold to someone who does or dosen't know anything about aquariums.You are obviously the former, I will be glad if it goes to you. At least you will try to get homes for those poor fish, and I hope you can meet this salesperson and give them a talking to from me as well. Anyway good luck with everything.

 

[zazz]

The tank is mine!

I am making arrangements to pick it up.
Now I need to get those fish somewhere quick! I cant imagine they will even survive very long as they are...
I am In the Western New York area, I am new here and haven't found any lfs that i am terribly impressed with, but that is where some of them may end up, if i cant find anyone to take them.
I am happy to give hem to anyone who will care for them properly.
I don't know yet what kind of condition they are in but I would consider shipping them If they are up to it.
Any Ideas? :help:
~ Z

 

[Lobo.]

sweet Z!
how far away is the home which they are at now?
if no fish store will take them, you could always see if anyone on AC lives in Western New York who would lend a hand, (or you could just dump them into a tank at the LFS behind the store person's back... just kidding)

 

[zazz]

lobo ~ they are about a 15 minute drive from me right now. 25 max.
Is there any way to find out about people on Ac who are in my area, besides asking in this post? (ANYBODY WANT SOMEFISH?) :dance:
I dunno about sneakin em into a nice comfy lookin lfs tank.. bu ther is that big lake right down the street...
(Kidding!)

 

[Lobo.]

I dunno about sneakin em into a nice comfy lookin lfs tank.. bu ther is that big lake right down the street...
(Kidding!)

:laugh:

try posting in the classified section