beth78

I have a newly set up 10 gal tank and have a Dwarf Gourami, a bala shark, a betta, a Bristlnose Pleco, and a Pictus cat. When I first got my pictus, he was a beautiful silver with dark black spots and now about a month and a half later, he's turned a very dull peachy-grey and his spots are faded. Is this normal or is he sick? Seems to be acting ok, such as feeding and swimming around, just the only difference is his coloring. Should I be worried?

Chief_waterchanger

If you tell me you're joking it'd be nice, but since you probably aren't...

Whatever person that told you that setup would be alright is beyond incapable of making informed fishkeeping decisions.

A bala shark will get 12-15 inches and will need a 75 gallon tank by their near adult size.
The Pictus will eat the betta and the gourami if it is small enough, but pictus are nocturnal, so they grab their prey while the prey sleeps.

The pictus cat gets over 1 foot long also, and would need a much larger tank.

If you took the pictus and bala shark back to the store the others could do alright in the 10g.

A betta, a dwarf gourami, and a bristlenose pleco would be full stock for a 10 gallon tank.

Whatever store sold you all those fish at the same time without asking you in what size tank they would be going should not be shopped at in the future, in my opinion.

You made the right step for advice, Fishlore is an awesome site for that.

WELCOME TO FISHLORE.

beth78

Thanks for the advice, Chief_waterchanger. I was almost sure I had overstocked my aquarium, no thanks to the "advice" I had previously gotten. It was my ignorance to not research the facts fully before I had added those fish. I had originally bought the 10 gal for my betta because the little fish bowl he was in seemed so cramped. Then I really got into having an aquarium I got a little over-zealous. At any rate, I have currently been on the lookout for a 55-75 gallon to house my new pets. Will probably be the latter based on your advice. I have already been researching Craig's List and local stores. Fortunately, my pictus seems to look a little better, it must have been a fluke (or me worrying too much!) Thanks again!

P.S. I just wanted to add that I have really enjoyed this site since I discovered it a few days ago, have actually learned quite a bit from reading the forums. (Which is actually how I knew my tank was getting in the "danger-zone") So, on that note, I feel I will be making more informed decisions for my aquarium(s) in the future- which is good because I have grown to love my aquarium and the fish in it!

pistorta

I believe a 10 gallon can house more than a betta, a dwarf gourami, and a bristlenose pleco. Zebra danios, for example, could be added if filtration and decor density allow. The one gallon/inch rule of thumb is, in my opinion, an outdated thought as it does not factor in modern aquarium technology. I think the most important thing to think of when stocking an aquarium is the type of fish (peaceful, schoaling, aggressive, solitary, active, etc.) being kept.

beth78

Well, that's reassuring! But, I am still getting a larger tank so I can split up some of the fish-I really don't want my betta to get eaten! I have grown quite attached to the little guy-had him for a little over a year. Plus, I have my eye on a couple other fish but want to wait until I have more room for them.

pistorta

The fish will appreciate that.

susitna-flower

I disagree with you on this! Less fish is better, and danios need to be in a school. Which means to add these it would grossly overcrowd your tank. Even keeping the bristlenose in the 10 g is pushing the limits as he will get 4-5".


Beth, we all start out the same way you have, no worries, we understand and commend you for seeking help, and being willing to do something about it. You will really love the day when you can put your fish over into that 75 gal. THEN do all the research before you add any more fish even to that large of a tank.
In the mean time, lots of water changes will help to cut the stress in your 10 gallon tank. Do you test your water?

You said it is a newly set up tank, did it go through the nitrogen cycle before you added fish? Since you are learning and want to be ready for that larger tank, you should get used to testing your water. I prefer the API Master test kit, and even though it is rather expensive it lasts for a long time, and is well worth it.

Barbrella

Agree! No less than 20 gallons is recommended for BNs.

Plus, bettas and gouramis are not good tankmates and aggression could easily occur.

pistorta

People have different perceptions of what is considered crowding. Many house bettas in tanks of multiple gallons...why? Do they think it is for the fish's benefit or is it for their own? Do they think this makes the fish happy? I say this because the fish is designed to survive in a puddle, as this was nature's intention.

My point is this, a crowded aquarium is dependent on what type of fish is in the aquarium. 10 bettas sharing 10 gallons of water is not crowding. I'll have to stick with my original opinion regarding adding zebras due to the types of fish being kept.

I do agree however, that larger fish from larger environments should be kept in larger volumes of water. I don't know much about the BN mentioned so I have no opinion with regard to housing in a 10 gallon. BTW- The betta/gourami combination is a bit risky...not to say that it doesn't or can't be done.

beth78

When I started my tank, from the "advice" I was given from a certain person at a pet store, was to set it up with filter and everything and let it run for 24 hrs before adding my fish. To my dismay, that was very incorrect information. I lost two Gouramis because of that and then decided to buy a test kit. It ended up being one of those strip-test kits, which I learned after reading some forums on this site, aren't too reliable. So I plan on getting one of those API test kits, probably order online since I read that thats the most cost-effective. So my poor fish had to go through the cycle because of my ignorance. I think the cycle is almost up, but will know for sure once I get the better testing supplies. At least I only lost 2 fish, but still, 2 is too many after knowing I could have prevented it in the first place. At any rate, through my trials and tribulations so far, I know what to do when I get my bigger tank. At least be more knowledged. And believe me, I will definitely get all the info I need before I add any more fish, LOL.

Chief_waterchanger

Beth my e-mail address is Rinakheals -at- yahoo.com or Rfishguy -at- yahoo.com (used -at- to avoid spam). Dino and I attend the Atlanta Area Aquarium Association and may have a spare 55g tank if you are truely looking for one. If you would like further information e-mail me, and we will talk more about it. Make sure to let us know what part of Georgia you are in (north, south, east, west, whatever.)

Butterfly

I'm afraid I have to disagree also. Here is an excellent article on Bettas .
http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/be...d-puddles.html
Carol

pistorta

beth78, I am unsure why you consider this advice the cause of your deaths. Assuming your tank is the right temperature, has clean water, etc., the nitrogen cycle should not kill your fish as long as they are added slowly with relation to the volume of water and bacterial surface area. For example, a 100 gallon aquarium with 1 zebra danio will not cause dangerous spikes in ammonia and nitrite levels to the fish. Granted, "mini-cycles" will occur at the addition of new fish which should be done slowly. From posts I read, it sounds as if many people think their tank has to be setup a month before adding fish. This is pointless unless an ammonia source is added to start the cycle for otherwise it is just a box of running water.

I couldn't agree with you more on the need for good information to be successful in this hobby. I spent months researching solutions to water chemistry problems on the internet and it has paid off.

With regard to my opinion that some are disagreeing with? -I would not hesitate to add those zebras!

beth78

Well, after I let my tank run for 24 hrs, I did add most of them at once. I started out with 3 Gouramis, 1 Bala Shark, 1 Pictus, and the Betta I already had. I didn't add them slowly like I should've. So, it could have contributed to the 2 deaths, but maybe there was another reason. But, from the posts I have read also, I did think that you was supposed to let the tank run and "feed" it to start the ammonia cycle and build up the necessary bacteria before adding fish(which took about a month). All in moderation, I suppose. I just jumped in headfirst without checking how deep the water was, lol!

pistorta

From your post, it is very likely the ammonia and/or nitrite contributed to their deaths.

Cycling a tank without fish is a recent "advancement" in aquarium keeping. I believe it may be considered inhumane to use a fish for this now. It is still possible to do, however, if one adds fish slowly to avoid the stress and poisoning of the nitrogen cycle.

We all live and learn...

beth78

Right.....lol! I went out and got a 14 gal last night, thought I would split some of my fish up until I get my 55 gal. Plus, it'll give me a chance to experiment with cycling (without fish, I will add) so I can do it right when I get the larger tank. MTS is starting already!!!!! LOL!

pistorta

Is it a hex shaped tank?

I learned about MTS through this forum. I never realized it was a syndrome, I just thought it might be considered weird by some people! But who cares, right?

beth78

Right you are!

It's just a rectangular tank, almost same dimensions as a 10 gal, but taller.