Fishie_Freak

I had wanted a tank for a long time and I finally got one a few weeks ago as a birthday present. I successfuly set it up(10gal), it went through it's cycle (I used to work in a pet store that carried fish so I knew how to start/take care of a tank). I went to the local Big Al's to get some fish (Picked up Algea Shrimp as well as the fish I'm concerned about) and I had been drawn to angel fish... I told the person in charge what size my tank was and that I was looking to get some fish to fill it. When I said I was interested in the Koi Angels he bagged them and sent me on my way without a word of advice about how they may grow or wether or not my tank may be too small even though he asked my tank size and how long it had been running. Now I'm reading they may grow too big to live safely in my tank and now I'm worried. I had wanted to put more fish in there seeing as my angels are the size of a dime but I'm holding back until I find out what to do! I'm very troubled I may have endangered the lifespan of my poor angels.. can someone help me, let me know what's best to do about it?

MissMTS

Thanks for looking out for the wellbeing of your fish. Though it may be hard, you either need to get them a bigger tank soon or you need to take them back to the fish store. Not even one adult angel can be housed in a 10 gallon tank. I would suggest going with a male betta. A 10 gallon tank is a great place for them to swim and it would be a very happy home. If you are looking to stock a school of fish, you could go with about 6 neon tetras or white cloud minnows. You could also go with 4-5 cory catfish (I have always thought it would make an intersting tank). Unfortunately, a 10 gallon tank does not leave you many options as far as stocking.

Fishie_Freak

Thank you so much! If I can't give them a home in my mother's 30 gal I will bring them back to the store. I have until friday to return them and I was thinking of switching them with smaller little guys. I don't want to endanger my fish, that would just be cruel to keep them for as long as they'll survive in there. I had been reading up on the small fish I used to sell at the store and I, of course, hadn't come across any angels as they didn't sell them where I worked, so I didn't know about them and the guy at the store neglected to tell me too.

Blub

Wait, if you have 2 schools of tetras - I'd find another home for one school, as 2 schools cannot comfortably live in a 10gal!

angelfish220

the red eye tetras are overloading your tank. they get 3 inches long each!!! I would try to find them a home as well. Dont lose heart though, you got a school of neons and if you add a trio of cories you have a lively tank. If you want to, you can look into live plants, as neons make a great planted tank fish.

Blub

Corys aren't great fish for planted tanks though, (especially the larger ones!) because they can uproot many plants whilst digging in the substrate.

angelfish220

Duh! I shoulda known dat!!!!

Ok, take out the cories and add ottos

Butterfly

I have to respectfully disagree. I have never had corys uproot plants. They do root around the plants for goodies but do not dig.
Carol

Blub

I've read that large corys can uproot newly established carpet plants and can be as bad as eartheaters on a sand substrate.

Butterfly

Maybe the fine carpet plants but planted tanks in general have nothing to fear from Corys.
Carol

Fishie_Freak

I know they get big! lol that's why I'm preparing my new 30 gal to transfer them over once they grow. =) All under control.
For now they are very small and very active and I look forward to seeing them grow in the 30gal in a few weeks!

Blub

I love the bigger tetras like Red eyes or Bleeding hearts. Sure, they take up some space but when you see the result, it's worth it! My bleeding hearts are great.

Fishie_Freak

How long did it take for yours to get bigger? I love watching things grow - plants, animals... even the end result of baking a cake.

Blub

I only just got my Bleeding heart tetras! They are still in QT. They are about 3cm right now.

I love watching things grow up and flourish... Maybe that's why I love gardening so much.

Fishie_Freak

Gardening, fish.. it's kind of heartwarming to know it's growing because you're taking care of it, too!

Blub

You should see my room... I have over $100 in houseplants, including Jewel orchids, African violets, a large Calathea and a Ficus who puts out a new shiny leaf about once every two weeks. I think the secret to Houseplants is learning the requirements of the plants you want and meeting them - and the 'only' way to do that is the Houseplant Expert book.

Fishie_Freak

I can't wait until I have the time for houseplants too.. right now my fish and cats are stress therapy and it works wonders. I'll be moving my Red Eye's to their new tank soon and I can't wait to spread some of that relaxing atmosphere elsewhere in my home. Some day I'll have a ton of plants all over the place as well. Right now the lighting in here is just terrible, well not completely terrible it's just difficult to find places to put plants and have them survive! No window spaces or room to create window spaces

Blub

I grow my plants on my desk and on tables all over my room, because a south facing window is bad for basically any houseplant but cacti, succulents, herbs and Geraniums. An east facing window is the best thing for things that don't want to much sun but lots of light... I find calatheas are good for shade as well, as long as you mist them a lot. I've just started getting into flowering plants as well... And that means Orchids and African violets. I love putting my plants around the tanks as well - it seems to add a new dimension to the tank if you choose the right plants.

If your struggling to keep your houseplant alive - I really reccomend saving a few pennies for a book called 'The houseplant expert' - you'll never lose a plant again.

Fishie_Freak

the biggest problem, I think, is that I only have windows that face east and as I mentioned, nowhere to put them! Also, my cats are more interested in plants than my fish and the one plant I do have is hidding on the top shelf above my desk where it gets little to no sun and struggles to survive - especially when my cats remember how to get up there to knock it down!

Blub

I heard Cat grass (Grow it from seed I think) stops Cats attacking plants because this one is much more attractive for them! They like to eat the leaves.

Fishie_Freak

lol tell that to my cats.. they don't seem to think so. I've had cat grass (grown and pre-grown) in the house and all they do is flip it over and lay on the upturned pot/planter. Sometimes they will pull out cuts of grass and scatter them but if grass remains in their mouth after play time they get rather upset and usually get themselves sick trying to get it out of their mouths. My cats are very backwards...

Blub

Eek! Bet that makes a mess and a half...

Fishie_Freak

Yeah, my cats enjoy making messes of things and then rolling on it 100 times before walking off to find me so I can see it too. They will actually get themselves in trouble by meowing for me until I come into the room. But sometimes when I come over, they run away before I get there.. other times they purr and rub up against my legs all proud of themselves. My cats are brats.
And now, with the fish tank, they get hypnotized by the fish. My older cat was sitting up on the arm of the couch watching the fish until he fell asleep once, I found him draped over the couch arm like he was dead, all sprawled out with his front legs dangling lifelessly...

Blub

Cats are crazy! My cat Tansy is scared of mice. Once one ran straight up to her nose (Willow our other cat would have nabbed it!) but Tansy winced away! Scaredy cat...

Fishie_Freak

Afraid of Mice? How about one that uses the aftermath of your shower to clean themselves? My younger cat rolls in the reminants of my shower-water
so she always smells like Pantine Pro-V.

Blub

That is really funny! Cats are INSANE...