Desperately Looking For Help Rehoming Big Fishes

HI everybody. First post here. I've read through the forum rules and I hope I didn't violate any rule.
I need some serious help here. We bought a house from an aquarium enthusiast in 2016. He had a 2700 gallon fish tank in the basement and some very large fishes in there. He built it from scratch himself. Honestly, I'm not really a fish person but we really liked the house so we pulled the trigger and bought the house and took over the fishes.

Fast forward 3 years, the fish tank is starting to fall apart. Not that it's leaking (I hope it doesn't but I've been worrying since day one) but some equipment are starting to fail. The basement is already a humid space and with 2700 gallon on water in it, it make the basement even more humid.

After a lot of thoughts, we think it is time for us to pull the plug. Our main problem is that we do not know how we can give away these fishes. These cannot be given away easily like goldfishes. For starter, they're huge. Then there's the space constraint. We only have access to the narrow tank from one side, and it's the narrow side, too. It would be extremely difficult to get those huge, strong fishes out of the tank.

I don't want to kill these fishes. Can anyone point me to the right direction on how to get these fishes to a new home? I'm in the Chicagoland area. Thank you. And sorry if I'm not supposed to post this here.

2x
1x
2x

3x
+ some kois.

 

Try selling them or give them to an lfs that has a large aquarium.

 

Maybe even public aquariums. If they were interested they would have the staff and facilities to transport them.

 

try local fish rescues, fish stores, bass pro shops, and monster fish keeper groups.

 

Can't help you but would like to compliment you for keeping them in such good shape the last 3 years, despite not being a fish person. Best of luck.

 

Holy guacamole those are huuuge!!! Is that one a sturgeon?

 

this guy drove 2300 miles to rescue fish.

a previous tour video

 

Contact Ohio Fish Rescue. Pretty sure they're gonna be in Chicago in a month or two.

 

Thank you guys for the information. I tried a couple of local aquariums with no luck. They're only interested in saltwater fishes. I'll definitely try Ohio Fish Rescue and see if I can also find any other local fish rescue. I emailed Bass Pro and see if they can help as well.
I'm not sure what fishes they're. I know there're 2 catfishes. The white one and the 3 grey ones are some kind of catfishes but I don't remember the exact name. All these fishes are about 2 ft long.
We're able to keep these fishes healthy thanks to the previous owner who left a very detailed instruction on how to maintain the tank and he did a lot of clever touches to the tank that makes it relatively low maintenance. However, it does consume a lot of power and water.

 

Thank you guys for the information. I tried a couple of local aquariums with no luck. They're only interested in saltwater fishes. I'll definitely try Ohio Fish Rescue and see if I can also find any other local fish rescue. I emailed Bass Pro and see if they can help as well.
I'm not sure what fishes they're. I know there're 2 catfishes. The white one and the 3 grey ones are some kind of catfishes but I don't remember the exact name. All these fishes are about 2 ft long.
We're able to keep these fishes healthy thanks to the previous owner who left a very detailed instruction on how to maintain the tank and he did a lot of clever touches to the tank that makes it relatively low maintenance. However, it does consume a lot of power and water.

Since you are in the Chicagoland area-have you tried either of the Aquarium Adventure locations (Hoffman and Bolingbrook, I think). They have an open indoor koi pond and a massive freshwater fish tank (with what I assume are mostly rescued or unsold large fish) at one of their locations. They took an aggressive fish from me that I had bought months earlier without a receipt or anything.
They might be able to take a couple of the fish off your hands between the 2 locations.
I wish I could offer to take them but only my 55 gallon has room and I don't think that would work...lol.

 

Hope this is ok, but check out monster fish keepers. Someone there may be able to help as well.

 

Speaking of perfect timing, Ohio Fish Rescue will be in Chicago from 8/21 to 8/25 and they will contact me when they're here.

Since you are in the Chicagoland area-have you tried either of the Aquarium Adventure locations (Hoffman and Bolingbrook, I think). They have an open indoor koi pond and a massive freshwater fish tank (with what I assume are mostly rescued or unsold large fish) at one of their locations. They took an aggressive fish from me that I had bought months earlier without a receipt or anything.
They might be able to take a couple of the fish off your hands between the 2 locations.
I wish I could offer to take them but only my 55 gallon has room and I don't think that would work...lol.

I haven't tried Aquarium Advanture but I will try if OFR can't help. Thanks! Hopefully OFR can help me with all fishes!

 

Hope Rich from OFR hooks you and the fish up ..
Are you just going to give up on fish or could you be persuaded into keeping a fish tank of normal size ??
You have clearly done well with them ..
Good luck .

 

Holy carp!! I wish I had a tank that big much less a basement. Glad they have always been in good hands.

 

Any chance you could post a pick further back just to see more of the tank. Would love to see it with a person next to it to get some reference of the overall size.

 

Wow!! I can’t really offer advice, but I’m happy the fish were in good hands for so long.

 

Hope Rich from OFR hooks you and the fish up ..
Are you just going to give up on fish or could you be persuaded into keeping a fish tank of normal size ??
You have clearly done well with them ..
Good luck .

Thank you. I think I’ll just give up on fish or on any pets for the time being. My young daughter will keep us really busy for the foreseeable future.

Any chance you could post a pick further back just to see more of the tank. Would love to see it with a person next to it to get some reference of the overall size.

Below is a video of the tank posted by the previous owner. It’s amazing that he built it by himself. He took all the small fishes with him. Only the big fishes remain now.

 

impressive, most impressive.

 

You have MY DREAM TANK !
No joke here is what I think is YOUR TANK being built !

No joke ! I have posted this video so many times !
This the tank finished ??

 

I just remembered that aquashella will be in chicago soon. (well, not until late september.) I really hope the rescue will be able to take them off your hands. they may be able to find adopters at the event.

is the tank totally built into the wall? wonder what you do when it's empty. I guess try to take it out and rebuild the wall over it.

 

the videos coralbandit linked shows how it was built.

 

the videos coralbandit linked shows how it was built.

I am blown away the owner of that tank has visited us !
My wife actually knows how lucky she is I am lazy !

 

Yes he posted a few videos about the build. It’s very impressive. He used to have turtles and stingrays in there too. How cool is that?
He built the tank along one side of the wall. Once it’s empty, we’ll just take everything apart and remodel the basement again.
It is a beautiful tank but frankly fish is just not my hobby and it’s too big for me to maintain. I tried for 3 years but when things started to break, I just don’t have the knowledge and skill to fix them. I hope all the fishes will be in good hands.

 

You never wanted the fish but well done for being responsible and trying to find them a home. They are beautiful.

I bet it was a wrench for the guy who built it to leave them.

 

Chicagoland! There is a fish rescue here in Chicago!



He helped me when I rescued a tank full of fish and supplies last December. He is a marvelous fellow. He found homes for all the fish and I donated the supplies to his cause.

Also: have you considered contacting the Shedd Aquarium? With fine specimens that large they may have a place for them!

 

Well this was just posted.

 

Well this was just posted.

Darn it you beat me to it.
Like he said, he underestimated the size of the fishes. There’re 4 fishes left in the tank now. The 4 biggest ones. He’ll make a second trip back for these fishes. These guys are amazing!

 

Excellent rescue! What can I say? WOW!

FQ, my hat's off to you for the dedication you gave to these monsters, and taking on a herculean task, just maintaining these fish as long as you did! You're a real hero!

Hat's off and kudos too OFR! They really did go out of their way to see to it that these fish will get new homes!

 

that guy's hair is wild!!

jeez... I had no idea iridescent sharks get THAT big. O_O it's sad they sell those things in pet stores.

I bet you're relieved!!!

 

Thought you guys would like to know. OFR came again yesterday to get the remainder of the fishes and some equipment. I’m happy to report that the operation went smoothly. They loaded their truck up to the hilt! Now it’s clean up time for me. Glad that all fishes are in good hands. Look for their second video soon. I also want to thank the fishlore community for your support!

 

FQ340,
thank you so much for caring about what happened to these fish. Not many people who love the hobby would take this on probably, much less someone who isn't into it. Your dedication and compassion is amazing! This thread made my day, thank you!!! So happy it had a happy ending

 

Yaaay! So now, you're going to put 1000 neon tetras in the tank right? Just kidding!

 

Sad to see my dream tank end but so happy to even had a small part in any of it .
Even if it is the end . Real tears in my eyes right now ..
Good luck and big thanks for doing the right thing and sharing with us .

 

this guy drove 2300 miles to rescue fish.

a previous tour video

Love that guy! Hopefully he gets his 58,000gal river pool going soon.

Love that guy! Hopefully he gets his 58,000gal river pool going soon.

Wait! I just saw the pool renovation vid... so awesome!

 

Thank you guys for the information. I tried a couple of local aquariums with no luck. They're only interested in saltwater fishes. I'll definitely try Ohio Fish Rescue and see if I can also find any other local fish rescue. I emailed Bass Pro and see if they can help as well.
I'm not sure what fishes they're. I know there're 2 catfishes. The white one and the 3 grey ones are some kind of catfishes but I don't remember the exact name. All these fishes are about 2 ft long.
We're able to keep these fishes healthy thanks to the previous owner who left a very detailed instruction on how to maintain the tank and he did a lot of clever touches to the tank that makes it relatively low maintenance. However, it does consume a lot of power and water.

The white ones are channel cats, and they'll get bigger. I was also going to advise Ohio fish rescue. But there are also more "monster" fish keepers and rescues all over YouTube. I had to rehome a white channel cat. He starting even eating the rocks and marbles in aquarium, he was 12yrs old and at about 15ins. I bought him at a local less at about 3ins. Live an learn. Lol.

I'm so happy for your outcome. Its great when a community comes together to help others. Cheers to you all!

 

I got started in cichlids by taking on a dozen "rescue" fish. This was a wonderful experience and I can only envy guys like big Rich, who get to operate a private aquarium bigger than anything within 100 miles of me. I love Moro Bay and Monterey only for the aquariums, and they are hours away by car.

 

OFR, what an amazing group, and hat's off to the OP for the excellent care given to those fish! Kudo's!

 

Iridescent sharks and Balas are on my list of fish that should not be sold to people without verification they have the right size tank.

 

So glad you were able to successfully re-home them!

 

WOW! Thay's all I can say. WOW! Good for you!