gazz2005uk

I have had my 10 gallon tank for about 3 weeks now. I started off with some platys and guppies, 9 in total. Last week i added an RTS. I was worried how it would get on with the original fish, but it was fine. I have just recently added some glowlight tetras. Ever since I added the tetras it has endlessly (and really aggressively) been chasing all the other fish around. It never seems to stop. The other fish are too big to be eaten, but I am worried it might hurt them. Am I worrying too much or should I return it to the shop and get a different fish? If so, have you got any reccomendations? Would a siamese fighter be ok?

ABCDemily

Hi! Welcome to FishLore!

The problem here is the small tank; a ten gallon unfortunatly just isn't suitable for all those fishies!

A good rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon: Platies and guppies is eighteen inches all ready, even without the glowlight tetras and RTS.

RTS' are naturally aggressive if within a small tank. They are highly terratorial and get aggressive with fish that can't hold their own against them.

Also, in your aquarium info, it says you don't know about the nitrogen cycle. Read up on this http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

I suggest you reduce your stocking to just three guppies OR three platies and return the other fish. Unfortunatly the other fish will need to be rehomed.

Good luck!

iloveengl

Hello gazz. I'm sorry I'm going to welcome you with some disappointing news.

Unfortunately, the ten gallon is way overstocked and I would imagine the ammonia (produced by fish waste) is off the charts from so many fish in a small tank. Your RTS is becoming aggressive because of the living conditions (any fish will become aggressive under similar conditions).

I suggest at least a 50% partial water change with a water conditioner asap.

Then I recommend returning at the minimum half your guppies and platys, your RTS, and all your neons. Ten gallons is just not enough room for that many fish to swim comfortably and the waste will build up too quickly to control.

I would then read up on the nitrogen cycle: nitrogen cycle <<< (Lucy gives a great basic break down as well as some good links). I recommend fishless cycle (which means returning the remaining gups/platys, too) because it is quicker, easier, and less stressful/dangerous for the fish.

gazz2005uk

My mistake, being a newbie I just wanted to add more and more. The platys and guppies are nowhere near fully grown yet so I think I'll be alright for a while. Maybe until I can afford a bigger tank. The problem I have right now is with the RTS. I cant return it now as the shop is closed and wont be open again till Wednesday. Will the RTS be ok in the tank till then? If not what can I do? I have it in a net at the top of the tank at the moment.

iloveengl

No need to apologize - we're all here to learn, and many of us have been in your exact situation. We're just here to help in any way we can!

I still recommend returning at least half the gups and platys (if not all after you read about cycling tanks) not only because they won't have room to swim (I know they're small, but they still need the room) but also because they produce a ton of waste (guppys are messy eaters that never stop pooing *lol*). You'd likely need to do huge daily water changes to keep it from building up and poisoning them. But, this is most definitely your decision.

I forgot to mention. The most important tool for happy fish and an enjoyable aquarium is a test kit. I'd recommend a liquid test kit (rather than strips, which are so unreliable that their a waste of money) that tests for ammonia, nitrItes,and nitrAtes. ...All of that will make sense once you click on those links we provided earlier. Lol. Probably sounds like gibberish right now.

I'm gonna wait and see what suggestions others have for the RTS.

gazz2005uk

i have put it in a bag at the top of the tank. the only thing im worried about is i dont think it will last until wednesday in the bag.

iloveengl

You're definitely right - it won't last more than a few hours.

I suggest buying a 5g bucket with a lid, an air stone/tube/pump set, and (depending on the temp of your house) a heater designed for a 5g tank setting (nothing bigger than that or you can over heat the bucket water).

Don't use soap or anything to clean the new bucket. Any non-aquarium safe chemicals will kill your fish.

-Add the water (with water dechlorinater) until about 4 inches from the rim.
-Cut a hole in the lid about 2 inches wide. Pull the heater and air tube through the hole so that they are both in the water inside the bucket.
-Plug in and turn on air stone and heater. Set heater to about 75F.
-Set the bag-o-fish in the bucket water to acclimate then release him after fifteen minutes or so.

If your house is constantly warm enough, you can get away without the heater until Wednesday. The air stone and the lid is really important though. Without the lid, the RTS will jump out in no time!

That's the best, easiest, cheapest quarantine I can think of. Plus you can use these supplies for your fishies later on or save them for an emergency quarantine/hospital tank.

gazz2005uk

Although that is a good idea, it is a bit unrealistic as it is half past 8 on a sunday night and everywhere is closed. What can I do to keep it safe overnight?

Red1313

Do you have a floating breeder net?
If it has a lid you could place him in there until you return him to the LFS.

gazz2005uk

I am a newbie and have realised I have too many fish for my tank. No worries, I can return some to the shop in a few days, I'm sure they will be ok for a few days. The thing I am worried about is I have a redtailed shark and it has got really agressive with the other fish recently (because of overcrowding at a guess). Right now i have it resting in a bag at the top of the tank, but obviously I cannot keep it there until wednesday when the shop is next open. I am afraid of letting it back in with the other fish for obvious reasons. But what can I do to keep it healthy until Wednesday? Or at the very least overnight?. Please help.

gazz2005uk

no, i have a net but just one to catch the fish, i had it floating in there for a while but its not very big. the bag is bigger but im still not very happy leaving it in there

Red1313

As I just asked in your other thread do you have a floating breeder net? That would be the easiest solution. If not then you'll need to get creative. A large tupperware container, or large bucket of some sort would make a passable holding tank. If you have any of the cheap plastic flower pots with holes in the bottom try putting some gravel in there to see if it'll hold and then place that in the tank and place the shark in there. It might have stability issues so you may need to try and make up something to hold it upright in a corner of the tank.
A plastic icecream pale and lid would work as well. If you poked a few holes in the lid then placed it in the tank upside down the air trapped in the top should keep it floating at the surface until you're read to take the shark back.

Fish_Face

You could get a breeder net and put it in there. But since your LFS isn't open until Wednesday, you could poke some pencil eraser-sized holes in the bag so your shark can get some circulation. Another thing you could do is put it in a large bucket or bowl and put an air stone in it (if you have one). That way it can have more room to swim around. I hope all goes well! Good luck!!

gremlin

Use a piece of plastic canvas to divide the tank - make a separate area just for the shark. Or you can use a plastic storage tub or a 5 gallon bucket (as long as it is CLEAN) to temporarily house the shark. Just make sure that you have a bubbler and filter going if at all possible. At the very very least, make sure there is a bubbler for oxygen.

Red1313

a breeder net is a little different then the fish catching net.
There are a bunch of idea's on your other thread now so you might be best to leave this one alone so that you can keep the replies all in one area.
Hope things work out well for you and your shark.

iloveengl

Gazz: Members don't know what's already been suggested in your other thread - you may want to post a link to that thread so that they can see it and offer more ideas than what's already been stated.

I'm not sure about poking holes in the bag, as that will likely just deflate the bag, rather than allow circulation. Since according to your other thread, you don't have a bucket or air stone (nor, I'm assuming, a breeder net), Gremlin's idea about the divider is a good option.

You can search the DIY section of the forum for ideas about DIY dividers or nets.

gazz2005uk

i havent got an extra filter, and i havent got a bit of plastic to seperate the tank, il have a look for a tub of some sort to rest in the tank but i doubt i will have one small enough, the tank is only 10 gallons. If I poke some holes in the bag like the other guy said, would it be ok?

Red1313

Try it with a different bag first.