New aquarium owner

**webs5361** · 11-18-2012, 03:24 AM

Hello all,

I wanted to say hello to everyone. I just joined this forum today as I explained in a post on the beginner forums. My aunt recently passed away and I adopted her fish because no one else in my family wanted them. I have never really had an aquarium, but am becoming increasingly fascinated by it.

She had 4 tiger barbs and a pleco in a 5.5 gallon tank. I am not sure how long she has had them, but after doing a little research I have now moved them into an Aqueon 26 gallon bowfront tank. So far so good, they seem to be much happier there and I am watching my water quality closely to hopefully avoid any problems. However, I am still in the process of learning what it truly means to be a responsible aquarium owner, so any advice/information is happily encouraged ;-).

I also wanted to say that this has, so far, been an absolutely amazing community of people. Earlier today I made a post on a few different forums asking for help/advice on my situation, and this community not only gave very fast and helpful responses, but have just made this transition into being a new aquarium owner so much easier for me. Kudos to everyone that has helped me out and thanks so much. I only hope that as I continue to learn about my fish and the aquarium/equipment that I can return the favor one day. Thanks again.

**Cyberra** · 11-18-2012, 03:27 AM

^_^ Welcome to Fish Lovers Not-So-Anonymous, and welcome to the most addictive hobby on the planet. Sooner or later you will notice the urge to get more tanks and have them on every inch of free space. Do not worry, this is normal. We call it Multiple Tank Syndrome (MTS), and it gets all of us at some point. As far as we know, there is no cure. Not that any of us minds XD

**webs5361** · 11-18-2012, 03:31 AM

Haha. I can definitely see how this can get very addicting. I have only had the fish that I have for a few days now, and am already attached and wanting more. I think I am going to hold off on getting more for a bit though, at least until I can learn a little more about everything, but the desire to run right out and get more is already getting a foot hold with me.

Thanks again for the welcome.

**Cyberra** · 11-18-2012, 03:40 AM

With a 26-gallon tank you could have a fair-sized school of tiger barbs, though how many I leave up to more experienced fishkeepers. I'm species-only, betta splendens (Siamese fighters) ^_^

Just keep an eye on the pleco. Depending on what kind it is, it might stay small, or it might get huge. Commons can get massive; I've seen a couple that were 18 inches long sharing tank space with comets and koi at my lfs. Try feeding it vegetables now and then; I hear they love vegetables.

**webs5361** · 11-18-2012, 03:47 AM

I was told by a member of this community earlier that I have an L-148 pleco, or "spotted rubber lipped pleco". After looking at a few images of this type, I am fairly certain that this is correct. Also after a little research I have found that this pleco has an average size of 4-6 inches. This is good, because I was worried that I may have one of the plecos that can get massive. Fortunately, this doesn't appear to be the case.

**Cyberra** · 11-18-2012, 03:53 AM

^_^ Always good to know. I think my lfs only sells one kind, and they look like commons. They're just labeled as "plecos"

**webs5361** · 11-18-2012, 03:57 AM

Yes, well until recently I had no idea just how many different types of "plecos" there are. Well, after today and....well let's just say quite a few hours, browsing the internet, that there are a TON. haha. I know, that narrows it down a bit, right?

**Cyberra** · 11-18-2012, 03:59 AM

Probably a ton and a half of different types of plecos. I can't keep them straight at all ^_^;;; The only "pleco" I have is a plushie with a suction cup so it can cling to a window or mirror