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March 14th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Potential problem fish
Hi!
I decided that FishLore needed a list of 'problem fish' - so newbies can make an educated decision on which fish to buy, or rather which fish not to buy! I'll start with a few, and you can post me a new fish, and I can put it into the big post.
Common Pleco
This fish is very peaceful, and when sold in stores often very small. However, you must be cautious with this fish as it grows very big - around 60cm to be precise! 55gal is absolute minimal, but 75gal or up is best.
- HatchetHaven
Goldfish
The reason this much-loved classic is on this list is that most stores will regularly sell you them for a tropical tank set-up. What you must realise is that, although they will survive in tropical temperatures, they won't thrive. They are 'Temperate water' fish, meaning that most of the time they live in 16-18C, but the temperature can rise to tropical temperatures for a short period of time. It also grows to around 20cm - with Fancy variety's getting a little smaller. Goldfish also create a huge Bio-load! A full grown Goldfish will eat most small fish like Minnows, so therefore is best suited to species aquariums - not your Community tank! For a species aquarium, it's best to have 20gal for the first goldfish and 10gal for every goldfish after that.
- HatchetHaven
Chinese Algae eater (CAE)
Chinese Algae Eaters - big problem fish. Also commonly called Sucking Catfish or a Sucking Loach. Easily mistaken as otos. Horrid disposition, aggressive, once they get big, which is very quickly. They stop eating algae as they mature, and develop an unhealthy taste for the slime of other fish. Have been known to literally suck other fish dry. Stay away.
- AggieYen
Please be aware that, given lots of space this fish can be relatively peaceful. But, I mean LOTS of space!
Pacu
I would like to advise people against buying pacus. Many stores such as PetSmart sell them. They grow to be 2 feet long and they are a schooling fish. They are wonderful peaceful fish, but unless a person has several hundred gallons of water to house a school of them in, they will not be successful with these fish.
- newbeefishlover
Clown Loach
This fish is often sold to people who do not know about it's full grown size of 12" and gregarious nature. I would recommend a minimal of 125gal for 3 of these fish - as they are large, schooling and active fish who need their space. If you have this space - they are a great fish, but not for your average sized tank.
- HatchetHaven
Last edited by Blub; March 30th, 2008 at 01:01 PM.
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March 14th, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Thats a good idea!!
You have a typo under pleco, says 0cm. Maybe you could add a warning about livebearers breeding?
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March 14th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finmama
Thats a good idea!!
You have a typo under pleco, says 0cm. Maybe you could add a warning about livebearers breeding?
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Hi!
Typo fixed... My 6, 4 and 3 keys don't work, and I have to use the 'Num lock' keys. It reallt doesn't get along with my 'semi-touch typing'!
Livebearers and breeding are good. Maybe you could write that yourself?
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March 15th, 2008
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Fish Helper
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ok I will type something up shortly about the livebearers. Haha that must be annoying about your numbers.
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March 15th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Im glad to see that post! I get on to my mother in law everytime I go over to her house she has 3 little gold fish in a 1/2 gallon gold fish bowl and yea she has a filter in it but they are cramping me up just looking at them! I told her she needs to get a bigger tank for them!! its just cruel! (btw my common pleco is in a 55g I wouldn't dare put him in a smaller tank)
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March 15th, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Chinese Algae Eaters - big problem fish. Also commonly called Sucking Catfish or a Sucking Loach. Easily mistaken as otos. Horrid disposition, aggressive, once they get big, which is very quickly. They stop eating algae as they mature, and develop an unhealthy taste for the slime of other fish. Have been known to literally suck other fish dry. Stay away.
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March 16th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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I disagree on the chinese algae eaters - I have had several and as long as they have LOTS of room, and at least 3 hidey holes per algae eater, and LOTS of moss to eat, they are very peaceful, at least for me. anytime I hear of one that is not eating moss and is aggressive, it is usually in a smaller tank (less than 40 gallons per algae eater is really too small) or doesn't have enough hidey holes to move in, or not enough moss. They really do prefer actual green growing moss as opposed to algae wafers. One algae eater will completely clean a 12 inch by 8 inch by 4 - 5 inch thick rock of moss in one night. If they are going after the slime coat of the other fish in the tank, they are not getting enough to eat. They do better if the moss is at least 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. I think it makes it easier for them to eat, but they will scrape it off the rocks completely. I love my three algae eaters (and my baby pleco) even though I don't get to see them too often (they live in my outdoor pond - approx 150 gallons). They do a good job at keeping the moss down, and they leave my goldfish and mosquito fish alone.
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March 16th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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I would like to advise people against buying pacus. Many stores such as petsmart sell them. They grow to be 2 feet long and they are a schooling fish. They are wonderful peaceful fish, but unless a person has several hundred gallons of water to house a school of them in, they will not be sucessful with these fish.
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March 16th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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I don't necessarily think that Bettas should be listed as a problem fish, but I definetly think that newbies should know the following things about them:
1. They cannot live in small glass bowls or jars. This is an old wives tail. They ideally need a 5 gallon tank with a filter.
2. Bettas need to have a heater in their tanks and need to be kept in water between 78 and 80 degrees.
3. Male bettas should be kept alone or with a school of cories or otos only. They are not community fish.
4. Female bettas can be kept in community tanks, but not with other female bettas.
5. Bettas should have rocks in their tank that have no sharp edges that could tear their fins. They should also have tall plants and pleanty of resting places as their fins can get heavy.
To many people buy bettas and keep them in unheated tiny fish bowls or vases and this is inhumane and cruel. Any beginners should research the needs of bettas before they buy them so that they can give their betta a propper home.
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March 16th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
List edited - we now have 2 more fish! Kate - I was going to write about Male Bettas being a problem in community tanks, and a little bit about what they really need, and how they aren't problem fish if you provide the right conditions. I've seen a lot of attempts to put them in community tanks recently!
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March 30th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
I have updated the list again - now we have Clown loach! Kate, I am thinking about putting your post on Bettas on the list, as I believe it conveys the message that Bettas should be kept in proper conditions - otherwise they are problem fish. Hence - potential problem fish.
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March 30th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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i've seen an awful lot of people try to keep large fish in teeny tanks. oscars are a prime example - they're usually so small at the LFS. also various sharks... they need alot more room than the local fish 'expert' would have you believe.
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March 30th, 2008
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Moderator
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Although I do think this is a good idea. Isn't 'problem fish' rather subjective?
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March 31st, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy
Although I do think this is a good idea. Isn't 'problem fish' rather subjective?
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Hi!
Well, 'potential problem fish', really like fish who don't go in most begginer's tanks/communitys and anything under 75gal I guess.
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March 31st, 2008
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Fish Helper
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oh my god! i think what i have is a Chinese Algae eater. i went and googled it and they look just like the ones my dad just bought me. right now they are about 3''. should i just bring them back to the store then  ? |
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March 31st, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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I think you'd have room for them in the bioload, but they might take out the other fish in the tank. I'd return them.
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April 1st, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evelyn1919
oh my god! i think what i have is a Chinese Algae eater. i went and googled it and they look just like the ones my dad just bought me. right now they are about 3''. should i just bring them back to the store then ? |
Hi!
No wonder we couldn't find out what kind of pleco they where! They weren't plecos at all! Yes, your best bet is to take them back as they will really disturb your tank.
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April 22nd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newbeefishlover
I don't necessarily think that Bettas should be listed as a problem fish, but I definetly think that newbies should know the following things about them:
1. They cannot live in small glass bowls or jars. This is an old wives tail. They ideally need a 5 gallon tank with a filter.
2. Bettas need to have a heater in their tanks and need to be kept in water between 78 and 80 degrees.
3. Male bettas should be kept alone or with a school of cories or otos only. They are not community fish.
4. Female bettas can be kept in community tanks, but not with other female bettas.
5. Bettas should have rocks in their tank that have no sharp edges that could tear their fins. They should also have tall plants and pleanty of resting places as their fins can get heavy.
To many people buy bettas and keep them in unheated tiny fish bowls or vases and this is inhumane and cruel. Any beginners should research the needs of bettas before they buy them so that they can give their betta a propper home.
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i keep a male betta in a 120 liter community tank and he is very happy and even commands his own teritory. fish behave how they wish to and you can't pigeon hole the same breed in the same little box. |
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