My Dad Refuses To Let Me Care For My Fish?

Hi, I posted about this a long time ago when I realized that my African cichlid was stuck in a too-small tank, but I have to admit that I still have not been able to find a better enclosure for her. My dad told me that she could go to his friend with a 75 gallon tank, but then he refused to tell me the parameters and water change schedule of the tank, and his friend never up not even coming to get her. She is still doing ok in the tank, but I'm very worried about the cichlids' health long--term, as there are also two parrot cichlids in there that will get very big. I got them at the beginning of my fish obsession, and they also have nowhere else to go for now. I really wanted a 40 gallon tank to move the African cichlid into, as she is the only one in the tank and it would still be a larger enclosure than half a 55, but my parents both said that I'm not allowed to get one and we are frankly constantly getting into arguments over my care. Additionally, my dad has pulled up old frozen food from at least a year ago and told me to feed that to the fish, and said he won't get any new and fresh food. Is that okay to feed? I have some other food that I got before that's definitely not ideal, but it's not as old either. Are there any solutions that could help with the long-term care? I'm still completely dependant on my parents so there isn't much that I can do, although if anyone has suggestions please tell me.

 

Hi, I posted about this a long time ago when I realized that my African cichlid was stuck in a too-small tank, but I have to admit that I still have not been able to find a better enclosure for her. My dad told me that she could go to his friend with a 75 gallon tank, but then he refused to tell me the parameters and water change schedule of the tank, and his friend never up not even coming to get her. She is still doing ok in the tank, but I'm very worried about the cichlids' health long--term, as there are also two parrot cichlids in there that will get very big. I got them at the beginning of my fish obsession, and they also have nowhere else to go for now. I really wanted a 40 gallon tank to move the African cichlid into, as she is the only one in the tank and it would still be a larger enclosure than half a 55, but my parents both said that I'm not allowed to get one and we are frankly constantly getting into arguments over my care. Additionally, my dad has pulled up old frozen food from at least a year ago and told me to feed that to the fish, and said he won't get any new and fresh food. Is that okay to feed? I have some other food that I got before that's definitely not ideal, but it's not as old either. Are there any solutions that could help with the long-term care? I'm still completely dependant on my parents so there isn't much that I can do, although if anyone has suggestions please tell me.

Frozen food works depending on species. As far as water parameters what species?

 

If you aren't able to properly care for it, you can try putting it up for sale to a person who can care for him/her and ask a bunch of questions to the person potentially getting him/her (How big is your tank? Tank dimensions? Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle? Is the tank cycled? What are your water parameters? Other fish in the tank? Picture of the tank? Etc...). Some frozen foods can still be good for a few years if it isn't opened. My frozen Bloodworms expire in 2021, you should look for an expiration date.

 

There isn't an expiration date, but the brand is Ken's Premium Cichlid Pellets. It hasn't been opened before either. The tank is 55 gallons as a system, but I feel like the filter is taking up part of that space, so probably 50-45 gallons of swimming space. The cichlid is some kind of peacock cichlid, probably 4" by now. The tank is solidly cycled, but I'm still adjusting since I've returned from vacation and honestly it's been three weeks since the last water change because I ran out of Prime. It's coming tomorrow, the last water change was around 75%. I am probably going to do a 50% water change though. The pH is at 7.5. There is also a common pleco who has been there for years and two smaller parrot cichlids who seem to be doing okay (not attacking each other) but I'm afraid of stunting them, and there's a crazy amount of algae since I needed to separate the African cichlid and the pleco is on her side. I have a bunch of frozen food at home that I can feed. What are some places that I could sell the fish? Do you guys have any ideas about what I should do if my parents won't let me go deliver them?

 

There isn't an expiration date, but the brand is Ken's Premium Cichlid Pellets. It hasn't been opened before either. The tank is 55 gallons as a system, but I feel like the filter is taking up part of that space, so probably 50-45 gallons of swimming space. The cichlid is some kind of peacock cichlid, probably 4" by now. The tank is solidly cycled, but I'm still adjusting since I've returned from vacation and honestly it's been three weeks since the last water change because I ran out of Prime. It's coming tomorrow, the last water change was around 75%. I am probably going to do a 50% water change though. The pH is at 7.5. There is also a common pleco who has been there for years and two smaller parrot cichlids who seem to be doing okay (not attacking each other) but I'm afraid of stunting them, and there's a crazy amount of algae since I needed to separate the African cichlid and the pleco is on her side. I have a bunch of frozen food at home that I can feed. What are some places that I could sell the fish? Do you guys have any ideas about what I should do if my parents won't let me go deliver them?

What kind of filter? If it is a HOB which I am assuming it takes up negligible space of the water volume. You can try local fish stores

 

It was built into the system, so it takes up a lot. Are LFS allowed to sell/refuse fish depending on the customer, or does every store have a different policy?

 

It was built into the system, so it takes up a lot. Are LFS allowed to sell/refuse fish depending on the customer, or does every store have a different policy?

They have to make money so usually, they have a no-questions-asked policy.

 

Oh.

I'll still try to find something, but if I was able to move the A. cichlid and the pleco, could the two remaining fish live in the tank? My parents' main concern is that the need for new tanks won't stop so I'm hoping that if I can show them that no new fish are possible they might agree to another one for the cichlid. Also, if someone has an overstocked bigger tank that rarely gets water changes, would they stops live better? I could ask for my dad's coworker again.

 

It was built into the system, so it takes up a lot. Are LFS allowed to sell/refuse fish depending on the customer, or does every store have a different policy?

The filter was built into the system? Ok how, what kind of filter is it?

 

Honestly, I have no idea since this tank is probably over 5 years old and only recently have I taken control over it. I'll take a picture once the lights turn on though.

 

Ok yeah get a pic. What kind of african cichlid do you have? Maybe I missed it. I see you have parrots and a pleco.

 

Sorry if the quality is kinda bad, the light is really blinding.

 

I have a female peacock cichlid, I think, although no one in my family has an exact ID.

 

Almost looks like an internal sump. If it is then you should be more than adequate on filtration. Sumps add volume in 99.9% of the applications. Internal sumps I'm not a fan of because they do cause a void space, however slight but they do.

 

If you're in Connecticut or Rhode Island ill take him for you.

 

Unfortunately, I'm in NJ, but when my sister gets back we're going to drive to a fish store and ask if they'll take them, and work together to convince my parents to get a 40 gallon tank.