ask91888

So as I was walking back from class today, I get a text from my roommate, saying that I had a little surprise when I got back to my room. Since it's my birthday, I figured it was a cake or something edible like that, but when I got back, to my complete and utter surprise (and horror), my roommates had bought me two new fish and had taken the liberty of just popping them in my already over-crowed tank!!!

They picked a pleco and some kind of spotted molly, both of whom seem to be in good shape, and not sick (thank god!) Anyways, ive decided to keep them, just cause I don't want to hurt my roommates' feelings.

Since I already needed a new tank for my goldfish, I was just wondering what kind of set-up you guys would recommend to fit my unusual collection of fish. I can definitely keep my 10-gallon set up, and keep a few fish in there, but I have the option to get either a 40 gallon, 30 gallon, or 55 gallon tank, all at a reasonable price. What do you guys think? I was leaning towards the 40 gal, only because it had all the accessories and a stand (space is pretty limited here in the dorms).

Also, if I got one of the bigger tanks, do you have any suggestions of fish that would work well with the ones I have now?

Wow, what a crazy day...hopefully no one dies before it's over!

Thanks for your help!

Andrew

sirdarksol

If they were my tanks (and I did have a similar set of problems, sans pleco), I would (did) do this:
Upgrade the 10g to a 20g. Put the goldfish in there.
Get as big of a tank as you can get (I got something that I thought was like a 50 or 70g, and ended up being a 90g). The 55g would be great. The rest of the fish can go in there. If you like mollies, a school of mollies would go well with the pleco and otos, I think.

Lucy

Happy Birthday!

It was really nice of your friends to do that for you, but.....lol

If it's a common pleco, they grow huge and are big waste producers, he'll soon need a 55g.

Is your aquarium info correct?

This is what I'd suggest. Since your goldie needs a new tank, get one for it.

Keep the mollie with the ottos and return the pleco and exchange it for something that will compliment the molly and ottos.
Thank your room mates for caring about you so much that they wanted to get you something you'd enjoy and take them to the store with you and show them a full size pleco.

Enjoy your day!

Edit: I like SDS's idea better than mine.

Shawnie

happy birthday !!!!!!!!

also another suggestion with theirs, is keep the plec for now explaining to your friend that you will have to return him because he will be too large for the tank...it takes a bit for plecs to grow out but as lucy said, they are big waste producers so you would have to keep an eye on the water...or, if water changes are too much with school, just be honest with your friend and have them go with you to pick out some bn plecs,..those are the cutest things since weeble wobbles

ask91888

Any thoughts about putting keeping the goldfish and molly together in a much larger tank? It says that mollies can be in water from 72-80 degrees, and i would probably keep it at 75ish degrees...If those two work out together, maybe add another goldfish and a few mollies (they would all be in a 40 gallon)?

I am pretty sure I'm gonna give the pleco back. I talked to my friend, and he was fine with it...

If I can do the goldfish and molly combo, I may keep the otos in the 10 gallon and add some tetras or some other nice little fish.

Shawnie

IMO I think it would be fine...im glad you found a way to fix things without hurting your friends feelings...

pinkfloydpuffer

You could exchange the pleco for a different kind that doesn't get big, like a rubberlip or something

Oh and happy birthday!