Omg! T_t

[Demi ^_^]

My Dad and brother just called from their fishing trip to tell me they caught a few small catfish for my tank...... OMG! I Don't WANT dam catfish in my tank - but Dad is more than likely to put them in anyway, he told me they wouldn't hurt the FG's, he said they wouldn't hurt the Kuhli Loach TT_TT But I still don't want them - I mean I don't know how to look after them or anything!

Dad said they'd only go in for a week and then will be put in the dam. He DID pay half/most the costs, but.....

What should I do? If I don't put them in, my Dad will be........ If I do put them in, I have no idea what to feed them and they might eat the other fish.

[YaYgoldFish]

Tell him to bring back some live earthworms to feed the catfish..If you have another tank that you can put your fish in for the week it would be ideal. Id also do daily 25% WC since wild fish probably arent the cleanest. But if it isnt a polluted lake Id only be worried about them eating your fish. Without knowing their size and actual species we cant be sure..

[smaug]

Wild cats in an aquarium is a sure fire way to have a species only tank!

[Demi ^_^]

No, I don't have another tank T_T from what he said their only small...

[Rue]

...I'd also be worried about introducing parasites...

[sailor]

Point out to your dad that this wild catfish could probably pass on disease or parrasites that would be detrimental to your tank.

[Halelorf]

That's a good way to introduce harmful bacteria and parasites into your tank. Keep them away, you don't want them. Also they are small now, but give them time they will probably become monsters.

[Halelorf]

hehe, machine gun replys thumbs2:

[jbeining75]

I would not put them in th tank. Disease disease disease and they eat anything they fit in their mouths

[Demi ^_^]

I'll really try, I hope he doesn't put them in T_T

[YaYgoldFish]

I'm not sure about parasites..when the hobby started almost all fish were wildcaught, and some still are (ottos)

[Sasquatch]

Well, first of all, don't flip out. If they're only going to be in there a week or so, it's not likely to be a huge problem. As long as they're not too big for the aquarium and won't overload the cycle, it should be fine.

Make sure that they don't have any external parasite on them before you introduce them. Catfish are sensitive, but I'd also go with a mild anti-fungal/bacterial treatment before putting them in.

Also make sure that they're small enough not to eat the fish that are in there currently. What are FGs? Feeder Goldfish like in your profile? It'll take one hell of a catfish to eat one of them.

As for feeding, just about anything that sinks will get gobbled up. If you can find something for carnivores (shrimp pellets or something) it'll do fine. Earthworms, frozen fish, frozen brine shrimp are all good too.

There are certain risks when introducing wild fish to an aquarium, but it's not the end of the world. We had a 20g where I used to work, stocked exclusively with wild fish, ran for over 1.5 years and never once had disease problems.

[tropfish]

Who knows, you may end up really liking it. Many native fish are very cool. At least your dad is into the hobby, many arent, like mine.

[YaYgoldFish]

Once you get them, try taking pictures and showign us, maybe we can help you find out the species..Like Trop said, you may enjoy the fish and if small enough be able to keep it!


What size is the tank anyways?

[Sasquatch]

One other thing that I should mention ... try looking up this website:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Loads of really cool info on all kinds of catfish, each one weirder than the other. Should come in handy.

[Demi ^_^]

Dad got back, with a box-sorta-thing with around 10 catfish ranging in sizes - before I had time to react, he scooped up the smallest and placed it in the tank. Oddly enough - I LOVE it! LOL, it looks so cute! The next thing I knew dad went back to the box and carried the 2nd smallest catfish into the tank :) They are doing well, alot more interesting then the Kuhli Loach I bought and the FG's (In my oppinion!) They are at te bottom, waving their whiskers over the gravel =) Oh, and they are Fork-Tailed catfish!

[fraggle]

Hey Demi, could put a pic, up? I love the native cat's and i"ve never heard of a fork tailed cat fish! Would love to see one!

[Harls]

hey guys i like to point out i caught some of these fish i actually caugt the 2nd biggest one!!! i am also getting 1 for a 4 foot tank! they willbe in a tempoary home for a week or so though as i should get rid of the babies this week

[fraggle]

Just rang my mate who is an avid fisherman, now I know what you're talking aobut!
I've only ever known them as Blue Catfish, or Blue Salmon Catfish, Or Salmon catfish, or shark catfish, add another one to that list fork tailed! lol That will be filed away for future reference.

They can get pretty big, Matty has caught one that was well over a foot! (he reckons 2 feet, but I know what his measurments are like... it was th............i.....................s big!)

Good luck with em all! I've got a Tandanus catfish, or Dewfish, or Eeltailed catfish, love the native cats, very active fish.

[Demi ^_^]

They are so interesting - BTW Harls_Aussie, you just sent me a PM saying you didn't want any (?) My mum thinks they are soooo cool , lol.

[country_boy454]

Id like to point out that most native fish are cold water fish and don't do well in tropical conditions like our tanks are set up for! They do best in cooler temps usually no warmer than 70 degrees F.

[mitcore]

LOL demi my hubby bought home a river fish and i freaked at him

but it is in my sons tank with the platties and is doing really well, even with the temp,hardness and ph, the stupid fish even eats the flake

if i can get a pic i will post it for you

i cant even find out what it is, only because the river fish species arent all listed,

the boys even have fry and the river fish hasnt eaten them

[Demi ^_^]

Lol, I wonder what it is? I just showed my mum the PERMANENT fish I wanted after a few weeks. She wasn't very 'interested' with my choices, lol, and after a bit of looking on the internet, she chose some fish that she thought would be interesting and cool to have, I'll put the 2 groups up for you guys to view :)

{A}
2 Male Convicts
1 Jack Dempsy
1 Bristlenose Pleco

{B}
1 Blood Parrot
1 Kuhli
5 Three-Lined Cory's
2-3 Keyholes

I think they are a great group of fish, mum particulary loves the J. Dempsy =) Only problem is with a Cichlid tank like that, I would have to rehome my little Kuhli :( What do you guys think of them? BTW its a 42g :)

[Harls]

harls_aussie will have the kuhli!!!!
i'll give ya a Male convict?
Maybe

[Demi ^_^]

Heh, I feel so frustrated - I can't make up my mind! What do I want? NO Idea! Lol, I'll have to think..... more =)

[mitcore]

dear me demi

i have no idea on those breeds you are out of my experience on this one

good luck
love to advise but i cant
oh by the way here is a free LOL for ya

[Demi ^_^]

Thanx Mitcore =) At least not-making-up-my-mind has given me lots of knowledge of Platties, Tetras, Cory's, etc =P

[mitcore]

LOL very true
it is a great way to learn
i will keep checking your thread as always and see what you do next plus i need to get my daily LOL's at you

[DragonGoby]

They are doing well, alot more interesting then the Kuhli Loach I bought and the FG's (In my oppinion!) They are at te bottom, waving their whiskers over the gravel =) Oh, and they are Fork-Tailed catfish![/B]
Yeah I know that feelings... Frist you think "yeark what kind of fish is this thing" and the second you see them, it's love!!!
I've feel the same with our little bumblebee catfish, and I call her the "whiskers of love"...
Beware! you can became addict to those little fishies reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally fast!!!
Nice to know that you love them afterall!

[country_boy454]

Two female cons will get along better than two male cons. Just a little advice for ya!

[Incredulous_Ed]

lol, the catfish will get up to 15 pounds if given the right conditions.

[Tooch]

lol alittle off topic, but what is T_T?

[tropfish]

I think its like eyes like eyebrows raised. 0_o like that or -_^ that.

Anyway the catfish sounds awesome, post pics. I'm with blood parrots (i LOVE blood parrots haha)

[RichBowyer]

I hope that your blue cats over there are not the same as our blue cats over here. If so you'll need to start saving for another tank and a house to hold it. :o)

[shockshockshad]

....and for that stocking list, kuhlis asre schooling fish. you should get 5.

[Demi ^_^]

T_T <-- That means upset/frutsrated, etc ^_^

It alright, Dad promised we wouldn't have it permanately, as they get so large - Once I start to think of buying my 'proper' fish, like in a a few weeks time or when they gets too big we will move them into the pond/dam with many of the others :)

If I do go for the 2nd option, then I will up the Kuhlis :)

{A}
2 Male Convicts
1 Jack Dempsy
1 Bristlenose Pleco

{B}
1 Blood Parrot
1 Kuhli
5 Three-Lined Cory's
2-3 Keyholes

I'm going to edit them once I look at more fish, i still have not decided which one is best :/

[shockshockshad]

If you go for the first one, get 2 females. They are "peacefuller". This is a 40 gallon right? Jack dempseys get 10 inches long and need a 90 gallon.

[YaYgoldFish]

Jack dempseys get 10 inches long and need a 90 gallon.


Actually they can fit into 50g tanks, considering Oscars can get a little over 15 inches, are very dirty and only require 75 gallons.

[cocoa_pleco]

Jack dempseys get 10 inches long and need a 90 gallon.

JD can happily live as one in a 55g, or you can even get a pair

[shockshockshad]

Hmmm, okay. I heard thought that they need a 75-90 gallon+. I guess that they would be fine in a smaller tank.

[Demi ^_^]

Don't worry about the JD, I've gone off that stocking plan.....again :P

Honestly, choosing what fish I want is stressing me out like crap! I started crying yesterday - mostly from my first day of highschool and being stressed, but also because I just couldn't choose what fish I wanted :(

So can anyone suggest a stocking list that will fit in this tank? I'm sorry for the hassle, but this is driving me abslutely insane :'(

Description:

- 42gallon
- I want live plants, but if not I'll have fake :)
- I want the fish to be colourful, but exotic/interesting looking.
- I would like bigger fish if possible (Although small ones are definately accepted!)
- I love Blood Parrots and cory's, so if possible can they somehow be included?

Thankyou guys - you's are the greatest!

[Harls]

heres my suggestion. go to wherever u buy ur fish and take a notepad and paper and write all the fish u like. favs first and then less favs atm and then post here in that order and we will sort something out like u don't want to plan to have BPs on ur list and go to the lfs and relise i can't get 1

[Demi ^_^]

Lol, honestly, you said that just like my mum did!

Do you think their are BP's at the LFS we go too? Dad might take me on the weekend :)

[Harls]

i'm going on the weekend i think! i will have about $20 to spend. i've never seen a rwal live BPs especially at he lfs
Harls

[Demi ^_^]

I only have, like, $10! We aren't buying anything - just bringing in a water sample for a test and then we will be wondering around for about an hour looking at every single fish in the store :)

[Harls]

i don't know about an hour but....

[Demi ^_^]

Heh, Dad said we'ed stay as long as I needed/wanted as long as he was able to buy some feeder guppies for the catfish in the dam :P He wanted to try and give one each to my current 2 - I won't be watching :')

[sen5241b]

My Dad and brother just called from their fishing trip to tell me they caught a few small catfish for my tank...... OMG! I Don't WANT dam catfish in my tank - but Dad is
.
.
.
What should I do? If I don't put them in, my Dad will be........ If I do put them in, I have no idea what to feed them and they might eat the other fish.


Catfish? You could try some Cajun spices.

[Demi ^_^]

My fave's at the fishstore:

Small Angel - $5
BIG Angel - $14
Albino Shark - $6.50
Albino Convicts (Small) - $4.50
Striped Convicts (Small) - $5.00
Albino/Bronze Cory's - $4.50
TINY Bristlenose - $3.50, or 2 for $6
Serpae Tetras - ???????
Gold Severum - ???????
Elephantnose - ??????
Paradise Fish - ??????
Opaline Gourami - ????????

Hmmmmmmm, now to work-out my stocking list - any suggestions???????????????

[jbeining75]

what ever happened with the two catfish your bro and dad caught....

[Harls]

What about this?

2 small angels
1 albino shark
2 baby striped convicts (from me!)
2 TINY bristlnose
5-10 Serpae Tetars
1 Elephant Nose
1 paradise fish.

Harls_Aussie

[Harls]

what ever happened with the two catfish your bro and dad caught....

These were only 'TEMPORARY' she said that didn't she?

She told me today that she was going to put the current fish (FG's and catfish) into the dam, once she has decided on her 'PERMANENT' fish.

Might take a year!! LOL

Harls_Aussie

[jbeining75]

Yeah I read back i must have missed it. thanks for the post....

[Demi ^_^]

Does anyone have suggestions on the list? I'm clueless :P

[Demi ^_^]

Sorry for posting again, but the above post may confuse some =) I ment to say: Does anyone have any stocking suggestions with this list?

[Demi ^_^]

Okay, I've made an option =)

Small Angel - $5
BIG Angel - $14
Albino Shark - $6.50
Albino Convicts (Small) - $4.50
Striped Convicts (Small) - $5.00
Albino/Bronze Cory's - $4.50
TINY Bristlenose - $3.50, or 2 for $6
Serpae Tetras - ???????
Gold Severum - ???????
Elephantnose - ??????
Paradise Fish - ??????
Opaline Gourami - ????????

3 Small Angels
1 Albino Shark
2 Baby Striped Convicts (From Harls_Aussie!)
2 TINY Bristlenose

I know that Convicts shouldn't be mixed with Angels, but Harls babies are very little! I thought if I'd gotten the Angels and then the baby convicts, the convicts would grow to not hurt them =)

Is that an OK list?

[shockshockshad]

Never get fish from the beginning and say "Oh, I will get another tank someday". Get the right tank from the start. What kind of shark is it?

[Demi ^_^]

It was labelled simply as 'Albino Shark' in the LFS, but I looked it up last night :)

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

They get around 5inches =)

[shockshockshad]

If you don't know the species, don't get it. I would never get just plain "albino" or "assorted" or something like that. How big of a tank is this again?

[Tolley]

thts a rainbow shark.

personally i would keep angels with convicts or rainbow sharks. angels are too slow and peaceful.

[Demi ^_^]

@Tolley - Do you mean wouldn't =)

Its a 42g.

I really don't want any fighting in my first tank, so I guess I won't mix 2-3 uncompatible species =P

Hows This Then?


1 Albino Shark
2 Baby Striped Convicts (From Harls_Aussie!)
2 TINY Bristlenose
And something else? Any suggestions?

This seems to be one of my cheapest options anyway - I already owe my father $90, may aswell not owe anymore then I already do!

I feel so frustrated - I just can't wait until my tank is stocked and all the decissions of choosing are gone, lol.

[shockshockshad]

Make sure the convicts are a pair of females. 2 males will fight. Maybe some swordtails? how about 2 males and 4 females?

[Demi ^_^]

I don't know, I'm going to look up fish..... again and hopefully I can make a decission - My head hurts =( Thanx for all the help guys!

[Demi ^_^]

After feeling so frustrated, I got my younger brother to help me make a stocking list:

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
1 African Frog - ?
1 Butterfly Fish - ?
1 ElephantNose - ?

He thought all the fish above were awsome, lol. Would this work?

[cocoa_pleco]

it should work, butterfly fish are awesome, i used to have tons of them.

[Demi ^_^]

The only problem with that is I'll have to find a LFS that sells the Butterflies =) But I think I'll change the frog to soomething else - although I love frogs, I don't think I'll find an African frog here :)

[Harls]

Demi^_^ ur inbox is full!!!!!! i love the butterflys!!!!

[Demi ^_^]

Their we go, I deleted a couple =)

[Demi ^_^]

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
1 Butterfly Fish - ?Hopefully I can find 1?
1 ElephantNose - ?
"Something else?"

Is their any other type of fish compatible with the fish above that could go in the 42g with them? I was thinking of maybe 3 Black Skirt Tetras...

[Tolley]

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
1 Butterfly Fish - ?Hopefully I can find 1?
1 ElephantNose - ?
"Something else?"

Is their any other type of fish compatible with the fish above that could go in the 42g with them? I was thinking of maybe 3 Black Skirt Tetras...

Elephant noses are difficult to keep, they are very shy, peaceful and need a lot of plants to hide in. They get just over a foot long and i would most definatly get very stressed by the shark chasing it.

Tetras need a school so 6 or more, blackskirts would go well with the angels.

[Demi ^_^]

Oh, Ok :) I don't really want a very difficult fish at first - They are pretty expensive anyway and like I've said a thousand times; I'm broke! I guess I won't get on then =) But maybe in future I might consider one when I have the space =P

Hows this then?

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
6 Black Skirt Tetras - ???
6 ALBINO Cory's (Almost forgot about these darls'!) - $$$
~~ Something else? ~~

(I don't think I can get the Butterflyfish -_- We rang around our LFS's and noone had any =( )

I have a huge thing for Angels ATM, lol. I would love to breed them =) If I got 3 and 2 paired up, will the 3rd be ok?

[Harls]

harls_Aussie asks demi wether she has anything to do.
if not ask if u can come over

[Demi ^_^]

Can't :) I got homework :/ BTW its 5.51pm anyway!

[Harls]

oh right!!!!

[Demi ^_^]

Oh, Ok :) I don't really want a very difficult fish at first - They are pretty expensive anyway and like I've said a thousand times; I'm broke! I guess I won't get on then =) But maybe in future I might consider one when I have the space =P

Hows this then?

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
6 Black Skirt Tetras - ???
6 ALBINO Cory's (Almost forgot about these darls'!) - $$$
~~ Something else? ~~

(I don't think I can get the Butterflyfish -_- We rang around our LFS's and noone had any =( )

I have a huge thing for Angels ATM, lol. I would love to breed them =) If I got 3 and 2 paired up, will the 3rd be ok?

3 Small Angelfish - $5
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
6 Black Skirt Tetras - ???
6 ALBINO Cory's - $$$
~~ Something else? ~~

Is this a good way to introduce them to the tank?

1st - 2 Angelfish
1 Week - 1 Angelfish
1 Week - 2 Angelfish
1 Week - 1 Albino Shark
1 Week - 3 Black Skirts
1 Week - 3 Black Skirts
1 Week - 2 TINY Bristlenoses
1 Week - 4 Albino Cory's
1 Week - 2 Albino Cory's

???

[Demi ^_^]

Whoops! I meant:

1st - 2 Angelfish
1 Week - 1 Angelfish
1 Week - 1 Albino Shark
1 Week - 3 Black Skirts
1 Week - 3 Black Skirts
1 Week - 2 TINY Bristlenoses
1 Week - 4 Albino Cory's
1 Week - 2 Albino Cory's

[Fishalicious]

3 Angelfish is a horrible number - 1 will most likely be an outsider... I would rather see 2 or a larger group of 6 as Angels need 15G a piece I would not get more than 2 in your tank.

Black Skirts like to nip now and again so you may have Angels with tattered fins.. you can better pick a less nippy tetra

[Demi ^_^]

Thanx for the reply =D I guess I'll only have 2 Angels then. I would like to breed them if possible - how would i know from a young age, female and male? What Tetras are recommended? I like Bleeding Heart tetras, but they seem very sensitive :/

[shockshockshad]

I would go with lemons, buenos aires, or bloodfin tetras. The buenos aires are VERY hardy (at least for me they were) but they eat plants.

[Fishalicious]

If you like the look of black skirts you could go with the Black Phantom Tetra - I have them with Angels and it is fine... if you prefer you can even have them in red - Rosy Tetra

Other pretty ones are Redback Bleeding Heart Tetra, Colombian Redfin Tetra, Spotfin Tetra

If you like blue:
Royal Tetra or Emperor Tetra are very pretty.

I don't find bleeding hearts any more sensitive than other tetra's but have a look at the redback variety like mentioned up here above - they are beautiful.

Bleeding hearts get big so 6 is good if you go for something smaller like the Black Phantom you can go for 8-10

[Demi ^_^]

Thanx guys! My list has changed lol

2 Small Angelfish - $10 (For both!)
2 TINY Bristlenose - $6
1 Albino Shark - $6.50
1 Opaline Gourami - $10
6 ALBINO Cory's - ?
1 Keyhole cichlid - $7.75

I personally really like this list and finally intend on settling on it, what do you guys think? I also have a few questions =)

The 2 Brsitlnoses will be TINY! About only 1-2cm (Yes, TINY!) Anyway, wouldn't all the other fish, er, eat them?

How do I know male from female Angels? I would love to breed!

Is the list overstocked?

Thanx, I 'preciate it!

[Demi ^_^]

Can someone please help me ='(

[Ark6ie]

i think the bristlenose should be ok, they will hide from the other fish till they grow. ive got alot of little ones with no problems. and with the angels im not sure if you can tell the sex of them while they are small. i could be wrong though. and albino corys are $5 each where i am, not sure of prices elsewhere sorry

[Demi ^_^]

Oh, Thanks sooooooo much! I forgot about the price of the cories, but I think they are around $4.50 each here =) I'll just have to HOPE that they are male and female, lol. Btw, would it be ok for them to be from different shops and one bigger then the other?

[Ark6ie]

i think so, i dont think there would be any problems. corys are a pretty friendly lot of fish lol.:19:

[Demi ^_^]

Yep, I can't wait to get some XD I have few more questions:

Do Opaline Gouramis really get 6"? I thought they only got 3" but another site said 6"?

Do Keyholes get 3" and is that max. length?

[Demi ^_^]

Today, me and my dad traded in our two 7" inch Catfish to the LFS. For the catfish, me and my dad were given a fish-bag holding 6 baby Angelfish!!! Thats 30 bucks of credit we were given!!! The guy said he'll ring my dad in a couple of weeks to see if he wants more catties :D I hope you guys don't yell at me, they are only around 1" and they are doing great so far in the tank. If they get too big, I'll sell a few, but I have already fallen inlove with them XD I'm so happy with my darlings! I have even named one already! He is a pure black with a yellow patch on his chest, we named him 'Blaze,' I love them so!

[Ark6ie]

the angels should be ok id reckon till they start to pair up, then you will get loads of aggression. lady hobbs or mitcore know more bout angels than what i do, so they can help you out better than i can. im still new to angels, have four. my two bigger ones seem to be a pair and then two little black ones. congrats on your new additions though, pics???? thumbs2:

[Demi ^_^]

Their coming now! Be one mini!

[Demi ^_^]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Stupid camera :P The first is OK, but the others..... ewww :( Their colours are, black, yellow and white :>) They are sooooooooooooo cute!

[Ark6ie]

nice angels demi... id be a very proud fish mummy if i were you lol:ezpi_wink1:

[Incredulous_Ed]

The angels are beautiful!!!

[Tolley]

Awesome Angels Demi!!!