Any suggestions?

[crazylady6900]

I recently went away for the weekend. I have a 20 gallon tank set up and running empty b/c I just moved all the fish to my sons new tank. Well my brother heard me talking about wanting to get some P's b/c I'm planning on getting a 55 gallon tank. Well while I was gone away he bought 3 RBP's and put them in the empty 20 gallon tank. He told me it was a gift. They are still very small but I know a 20 gallon is too small. Until I get the 55 gallon do you think they will be ok in the 20 as long as I make sure they are fed well and kept clean? He won't tell me where they came from so I can return em either. Any ideas

 

[PEVINE11]

first of all welcome to ]V[ F K (1st post anyways )




how long till you get a 55g?

you should aim for a 65 if you can ( 3 p's will need 60 gallons ) i am sure that 5 gallons wont be horribal but better safe then sorrt. also you should keep p's in even #'s


but yea they should be ok, depending how long it is until you get a new tank.

 

[PEVINE11]

He won't tell me where they came from so I can return em either.

deffently keep them amazing fish



or you can send them to me

 

[_____]

I recently went away for the weekend. I have a 20 gallon tank set up and running empty b/c I just moved all the fish to my sons new tank. Well my brother heard me talking about wanting to get some P's b/c I'm planning on getting a 55 gallon tank. Well while I was gone away he bought 3 RBP's and put them in the empty 20 gallon tank. He told me it was a gift. They are still very small but I know a 20 gallon is too small. Until I get the 55 gallon do you think they will be ok in the 20 as long as I make sure they are fed well and kept clean? He won't tell me where they came from so I can return em either. Any ideas

Is this a 20g tall or long? You mentioned "they are still very small"...this could work for acouple months, your nitrate level might be a little high but keep up with weekly water changes. I'm not sure of the dimensions of the 55g, but I believe the width of it is 12". Reds can possibly grow that large and turning around space is too small they can be very stress.

 

[PEVINE11]

20 as long as I make sure they are fed well and kept clean?

i am going to go ahead and say its a 20 long, and i think she is willing to do water changes to keep it clean


. . . . . not sure tho

 

[Bderick67]

Well you've got a couple months, but with proper care(waterchanges and feeding) those Ps will be about 5-6" in 9 months. If you have not aquired the 55g yet, then see if there is a way you could get a 75g which would be much better siuted or the 3 Ps. The 75g is the same length and height as a 55 gallon, but it has 6" more depth/width, which will make a world of difference once the Ps get to the 8" plus range. Plus your options for aquascaping are much better with the 75g.

 

[PEVINE11]

3 piranhas arent recomended, 2 of them will gang up another and kill it. 4 p's evenly spreads out the agression.

 

[Davey_8313]

There isn't much left to say, but I agree, you should get another 1 to make it an even 4 and then get a 75. The 20 gallon should work for a while, but I would try to move them out before they get to 3"... Make sure you have some hiding spots in the 20 too just in case they want to pick on one of them...

 

[_Sushi_]

I agree with the more room to Aquascape a 75, I have room for my decor now!!

I'd say that it's a growout tank, I had to keep my p in a ten for a week or so when I first got him, so it won't hurt them any.

I'm sure Pevine will mention it sooner or later, but try to get "blackwater" this can be achieved through the liquid water supplement by Tetra, using driftwood, or peat. This will make your Ps more active. If they aren't already, try to get them off of live foods as soon as you can, if they don't take it right away, don't worry, just keep trying until they take it. They will not starve.

I built a "cave" out of flagstones for my fish, so he could get away from my single light if he needs too (he doesn't really use it anymore since he upgraded!!) Just take an odd number of flat stone (flagstones or stepping stones, anything really flat will do) and 2-3 regular rocks with flatter sides. Stack 2 on one side, 2-3 on the other, 1 rock on top of each of those, and 1 more to bridge the gap, and VIOLA!!

Good Luck with your piranhas!!

 

[PEVINE11]

thanks sushi


also i'd recomend putting electrical tape over the floresent lighting to reduce the light, p's tend to be more active in the dark ( well not black but less light )



hopefully we all have helped you