"Surpise" creates stocking problems; advice needed

[corbinld]

To make a long story short, my mom decided to surprise me by sending fish to me. I don't seem able to stop this & they are set to arrive tomorrow (from an online fish shipper who ships overnight).

My tanks are already full. I contacted my LFS and am buying a 36gal (the best I can do) which I'll try to "jump start" using gravel, decorations & plants from one of my mature tanks--and lots of Bio Spira. I can't even pick it up until tomorrow. Trying to decide if everyone can survive until I get the new tank set up & how to distribute the fish so it makes sense (especially because of gender).

Enroute;

36 gal brand new tank (will try to jump start)

2 Pearl Gouramis (unknown gender)
1 Female Paradise Fish
1 Female Neon Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami
1 Male Fire Red Dwarf Gourami

Already have;

30 gal
1 Male Paradise Fish
1 Male Neon Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami
3 Boseman's Rainbowfish
5 Clown Loaches (very small)

29 gal
1 Honey Dwarf Gourami
6 Serpae Tetras
2 Wag Platys
2 Bar tail Platys
2 Yoyo loaches (very tiny)

10 gal
5 Tiger Barbs

5 gal
1 Neon Glowlight Tetra (survivor of an Ich episode)

Any suggestions folks?????

 

[Jericho]

Well that stinks... What area do you live in, if you are close I could probably set you up with a 50 gal that I have as a spare.

 

[foxyfish]

Keep some in the tank you have and as far as the new tank buy a tropical community fish like a black skirt tetra to cycle it. These things are evil so take it out when you put the new fish in. The fish you are putting in are kinda sensitive fish so your best bet is cycling it. And of course thank your mom and tell her they are beautiful but next time she should call you before she sends you fish! :

 

[corbinld]

Well that stinks... What area do you live in, if you are close I could probably set you up with a 50 gal that I have as a spare.

Thanks! I live in Kentucky--kind of the middle of nowhere compared to a lot of people...

 

[corbinld]

Keep some in the tank you have and as far as the new tank buy a tropical community fish like a black skirt tetra to cycle it. These things are evil so take it out when you put the new fish in. The fish you are putting in are kinda sensitive fish so your best bet is cycling it. And of course thank your mom and tell her they are beautiful but next time she should call you before she sends you fish! :

I really hate black skirts too. I forgot to metion that I have white clouds in one of my ponds. Maybe I should use them instead? There would be problems with the temperature difference though...

The bigger question for me is how I should distribute the new fish that I'm forced to put in to my existing tanks? I'm worried about aggression between so many different male gouramis in such small tanks...

 

[rwspear76]

Just wanted to say nice gourami selection that you are being sent!! Good luck with the new tank and set up.

 

[Jericho]

Thanks! I live in Kentucky--kind of the middle of nowhere compared to a lot of people...

Yep well I am on the left coast so sorry I can not help you

 

[dorkfish]

Keep some in the tank you have and as far as the new tank buy a tropical community fish like a black skirt tetra to cycle it. These things are evil so take it out when you put the new fish in.

Hmmm... I've never had that problem.

Can you explain to me exactly what they do that makes them evil?

 

[IceH2O]

I only have 2 Black Skirts in my tank with other fish and they only chase each other. I haven't seen them ever bother anyother fish in the nearly 5 years I've had them.

But back to the post... I'd put a lot of hiding places in that tank. Fill it with terracotta pots ,fake plants, driftwood...They can't attack what they can't see.