Any iridescent shark experts?

[Amber n The Boss]

2. I've finally got my care regimen down for what i need to do to keep my water levels right for them so far every 3 days I'm doing a 30-40% change but my water continues to be cloudy. Is this bc big fish create big waste and I should buy a stronger or better filter? I'm currently running on a Whisper brand. I don't wanna buy a Fluval for this current tank cuz I know I'm getting a bigger one very soon. Is there anything else I can or should be doing in the mean time?

 

[Karl K]

I don't know how to post a pic but if someone could tell me how I will!
As for my op I wasn't looking for someone to id my sharks, I know what I have. I was/am looking for someone reliable that I can ask specific questions too. My LFS was no help once I purchased them. I just never had a moment to come back and ask those questions. But I will now.
1. My sharks freak out during water changes. They will slam themselves into the glass repeatedly. They thrash so much that I think they are gonna jump out the top. Idk what to do. I've learned that for what changes to just skim the top opposite side from them and for the most part it works. But when it comes down to cleaning the gravel it's a nightmare! I've thought about removing them but I don't know what I could put them in with a lid. I thought about buying like a rubber made tote and using that but wasn't sure if it's safe to use plastic like that. I've placed 2 LG sword plants at both ends tank ends so when they do spaz at least there's some cushion. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

To post a picture you press on the "Go Advanced" next to "Post Quick Reply".
Then Manage Files, or something like that

 

[Mr. Allgood]

Like I said, more tankmates help them to not spaz. Also, unless your tank is tiny, one 20% wc once a week should be plenty

 

[Karl K]

Like I said, more tankmates help them to not spaz. Also, unless your tank is tiny, one 20% wc once a week should be plenty

With tankmates, you mean more ID Sharks? Then and even larger final pond size would be needed. Or do you mean just more tankmates, like smaller fish?

 

[Mr. Allgood]

Smaller fish. I'm not sure if it makes them more comf or just more use to movement but it definitely seems to help

 

[Karl K]

Smaller fish. I'm not sure if it makes them more comf or just more use to movement but it definitely seems to help

Makes sense, i once heard this guy say that discus hide less when theres small fish like neon tetra, because they see them and think "Well, their out there, so it must be safe" or something like that.
He was in a fishstore, so i dont know if he was right. It seemed to be a good fishstore.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I had trouble looking at the Av too. It does sound like your fish Amber are just like ours thank you for starting a good thread. Another piece of info I found was that 5 or more would make a better grouping of them. Can you imagine the tank that would require. Also found that they are a slower growing fish which I guess is kind of a good thing.

Agree on the larger group. The more, the better.

As for the growth rate, the situation is enigmatic at the moment IMHO. These two treads will start one thinking:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...74589-ID-Shark-Housing&highlight=IDS+theories

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?505668-ID-sharks-theories&highlight=theories

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

...1. My sharks freak out during water changes. They will slam themselves into the glass repeatedly. They thrash so much that I think they are gonna jump out the top. Idk what to do. I've learned that for what changes to just skim the top opposite side from them and for the most part it works. But when it comes down to cleaning the gravel it's a nightmare! I've thought about removing them but I don't know what I could put them in with a lid. I thought about buying like a rubber made tote and using that but wasn't sure if it's safe to use plastic like that. I've placed 2 LG sword plants at both ends tank ends so when they do spaz at least there's some cushion. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

IMO, the most likely answer is exceedingly simple. Your tank's too small for them now. 1. They are a nervous, flighty, stress-prone fish by nature. 2. They already feel trapped in a small tank with no place to run, and hence stressed. Thus, anything unusual triggers fight or flee response.

I'd not take them out of the tank for cleanings. That stresses any fish but these- way too much. If repeated every week once or twice, it will kill them soon or at least the problems will start with them falling ill as such regular stress will compromise their immune system. It is not uncommon for them to fall into a coma-like state during re-homing and transportation.

Plants at the end is a smart trick. You know what you are doing Not only for cushioning the blows but also to lessen the likelihood of them smashing into the side walls full speed on.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

2. I've finally got my care regimen down for what i need to do to keep my water levels right for them so far every 3 days I'm doing a 30-40% change but my water continues to be cloudy. Is this bc big fish create big waste and I should buy a stronger or better filter? I'm currently running on a Whisper brand. I don't wanna buy a Fluval for this current tank cuz I know I'm getting a bigger one very soon. Is there anything else I can or should be doing in the mean time?

Cloudy water may be benign, as in just sediment stirred up, or a sign of a problem like a bacterial bloom that occurs when a tank is cycling. If your NH3, NO2 are fine by, say, a liquid API test kit, then I'd not worry too much but still observe closely.

There is no reason not to get more filtration, esp. if the existing is maxed out or close to it. Once you have a nice seeded canister filter, you transfer it to the new tank and voilà you don't need to cycle your new tank.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I am a proponent of large WC's to keep the NO3 at 10 ppm or below, again, by the liquid API test. So, whatever that takes. It really depends on the stocking level.