Am I doing this right?!?

[DannielR]

I really wanted to take care of fish. But because of Lack of money, I wasn't able to start. But now that I got a job, so I decided to start.

I got a 25 gallon aquarium, with a larger base than right. Bought some plastic plants, some white natural sand from the beach and some pebbles or very small rocks also from the beach. Some drift wood that I held down with rocks, cause they keep floating. Got a heater. Got an overhead filter.
At one of my LFS, one species caught my eye. They said it'll be fine with my current set up so I got them.


I bought 3 polypteruses, an endlicherri, an ornate and one that even they didn't know the species. I can't seem to find the fish. Gonna post a pic and can someone please tell me the name. They're all about 5 to 6 inches now. i've been feeding them pellets, but they seem not to eat much. The heater is set at 30°C but the thermostat only registers about 27° to 29°.

I live in a small town and the LFS here aren't that reliable given that they don't even know what species they were selling me.

Please help.

Is the tank size enough? What is best to feed them? Is the temperature fine?

 

[DannielR]

Larger base than *height

 

[predatorkeeper87]

tank is absolutely no where near big enough for those polys, you're looking at minimum 150 gallons. Your LFS lied like they normally do.

if they are eating pellets, continue on that as well as adding in tilapia too

 

[predatorkeeper87]

also the pictured poly looks like a washed out delhezi but I suck at ID'ing polys

 

[DannielR]

also the pictured poly looks like a washed out delhezi but I suck at ID'ing polys

Live tilapia?

Washed out like it was the runt of the litter?

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Live tilapia?

Washed out like it was the runt of the litter?

not live, frozen fillets

and no as in its stressed and on light substrate so its colors aren't as bright as normal.

 

[DannielR]

not live, frozen fillets

and no as in its stressed and on light substrate so its colors aren't as bright as normal.

Sorry, guess that was kinda given.
Thanks dude.

He was like that when I got him. And based on what I've researched so far, I think he'd been stressed alot at the petstore. Although it's just been three days, could he still be stressed?
So you think I should change the substrate I used? Had to google substrate by the way.haha

 

[Oh_my_Gar]

T

not live, frozen fillets

and no as in its stressed and on light substrate so its colors aren't as bright as normal.

agree, that photo looks like a washed up del. 5-6 inches is good for your 25 gal IMO, For now. They grow quickly.

With white sand they'll be a bit pale. If budget permits change to dark, or red. Brings out their markings.

Try a variety of diet. Mine eats shrimp, chicken heart, sinking pellets, and fish fillets (tawilis) mon- shrimp, chicken heart - tues, so on

 

[DannielR]

not live, frozen fillets

and no as in its stressed and on light substrate so its colors aren't as bright as normal.

Sorry, guess that was kinda given.
Thanks dude.

He was like that when I got him. And based on what I've researched so far, I think he'd been stressed alot at the petstore. Although it's just been three days, could he still be stressed?
So you think I should change the substrate I used? Had to google substrate by the way.haha

 

[DannielR]

T
agree, that photo looks like a washed up del. 5-6 inches is good for your 25 gal IMO, For now. They grow quickly.

With white sand they'll be a bit pale. If budget permits change to dark, or red. Brings out their markings.

Try a variety of diet. Mine eats shrimp, chicken heart, sinking pellets, and fish fillets (tawilis) mon- shrimp, chicken heart - tues, so on

Thanks

So, long should I wait 'til they'll need a new tank?