I purchased a 75 gallon tank a few weeks ago and it's been empty since I got it (besides the goldfish used to cycle it). It has sand for substrate, heavily planted (plastic and silk) and the left corner has a large stack of rocks. Ph 7.2, temp 78, and it's cycled already. Filters include a fluval 304, a hot magnum hang on, and a tetra 5 power filter.
Now to my question. I was in a local pet shop I don't visit much and they had a tiger shovelnose that's about 6". Well the fish was $8.99 and I didn't think I could pass up such a deal. Anyway... I can't find much info on these things. First I know it will outgrow the 75, and putting it in a bigger tank or buying a bigger tank for it is not a problem. I'm planning on putting it in my 150, buying a 300+ if growth is slow enough and I'm able to afford it when it's time to move up, or building an indoor pond that hopefully will be around 800 gallons.
Finally my question. Anyone own one of these? And if so could ya tell me anything about them? I added mine today to the 75 and it's already found a home in the rocks. It's shoveling out the sand as I type. Also noticed it cruising the bottom in the open areas. I have way more guppies than I need and plan on feeding it these on a daily basis. I've raised all of them so I know they are safe and well fed since a large fish eater was the reason for thier purchase and later the 75.
Should I feed it other things, and if so what?
How many inches can it get before it needs to be moved out of the 75 gallon?
Should I use peat in my filters to make the water more acidic and soften it?
Should I remove some of the rocks and plants to give it more cruising space?
Anything and everything you could tell me about these fish if you own one or have owned one would be greatly appreciated. I've been looking for one for a very long time and finally found one that didn't look fragile and was way over priced.
Now to my question. I was in a local pet shop I don't visit much and they had a tiger shovelnose that's about 6". Well the fish was $8.99 and I didn't think I could pass up such a deal. Anyway... I can't find much info on these things. First I know it will outgrow the 75, and putting it in a bigger tank or buying a bigger tank for it is not a problem. I'm planning on putting it in my 150, buying a 300+ if growth is slow enough and I'm able to afford it when it's time to move up, or building an indoor pond that hopefully will be around 800 gallons.
Finally my question. Anyone own one of these? And if so could ya tell me anything about them? I added mine today to the 75 and it's already found a home in the rocks. It's shoveling out the sand as I type. Also noticed it cruising the bottom in the open areas. I have way more guppies than I need and plan on feeding it these on a daily basis. I've raised all of them so I know they are safe and well fed since a large fish eater was the reason for thier purchase and later the 75.
Should I feed it other things, and if so what?
How many inches can it get before it needs to be moved out of the 75 gallon?
Should I use peat in my filters to make the water more acidic and soften it?
Should I remove some of the rocks and plants to give it more cruising space?
Anything and everything you could tell me about these fish if you own one or have owned one would be greatly appreciated. I've been looking for one for a very long time and finally found one that didn't look fragile and was way over priced.
