bit the bullet

[chefjamesscott]

hello all

I have never really wanted to own a fish of this species but saw an add for a 7 inch specimen that looked very nice, so I cut a deal with the owner and will be picking the fish up around oct 5.

the tank set up is only a 55g but comes with

For sale is a 55 gallon Hagen all glass aquarium with hood, lights, filters (Fluval 205 and Rena Filstar xp 3), pumps (aquaclear), heaters, black sand and all other accessories related to the tank. Also included is the all black custom cedar stand with 2 doors to house all filters etc

the tank will make a perfect flitter tank later or I can keep the stuff and resell the tank for $250

I have no idea how hard it is to get this kind of fish and plan to upgrade him to an immediate 90g or 140g as he is presently 7 inches. I want to see if I can get it to grow to 15-20 inches.

So there we have it I will soon become an owner of a meat eater in the literal term of the word.

The price I paid for the whole set up fish included was $600. Now granted where most of you are that might seem expensive, I don't know, but around here I have never heard of a black pira.

Any thoughts or advice are welcome.

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

I'm sure the boys will all be here soon chimmin in with all kinds of advice and questions for you. I always think it's best if people that actually have experience with that specific specie answer questions so i'll sit this one out.

I know it's early and things could change but here's a premature welcome, Welcome to the world of Piranha keeping.

 

[Trigga]

The filtration on that tank sounds superb. The only thing I would try to work down is the price... Piranha are getting a lot more common in Canada I have friends in Alberta and bc picking up fish that a year ago would be impossible to get there.. It's a decent looking fish but I wouldn't blow 600$ bucks on a tank
your going to have to sell very soon. I would get him the 90 you were planning on getting and just buy the fish and the filters off him (that's if you like the fish, try checking out big ALS they always seem to have black piranha in these days, an if they don't they can probably order one for you)

but at the end of the day it's your decision, and all I can reccomend is you do your reasearch before you buy him because solo serrasalmus species can be a let down if your idea of a piranha is a super crazy aggressive eating machine.. They are rather timid till they are established and comfortable with their surroundings so keep that in mind.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and don't hesitate to ask for help!

 

[jp80911]

what trigga said and I don't know how much a rhom and tank setup like that would go for in canada but $600 is way too much...
besides 55g is just not my cup of tea, the 12in width is pretty useless IMO. the fish looks nice but I would suggest you follow what trigga had suggested.
best of luck, and hope either way you'll be joining the piranha family.

 

[chefjamesscott]

my intention is to actually flip the 55g into what I call a flitter tank with smallish fish ie0 neons, guppies etc...

and to immediately put the fish in one of the larger tanks I am running right now

I really have no idea preset in my mind as to what this kind of fish is like so I have no expectations.

I did most recently rehome 2 pacus that I took in from other people, and it got me to thinking and wondering what would a pira be like. So I thought to come here post a thread and get some ideas.

I know that $600 seems steep, but when I look at all that the tank comes with and knowing I can resell the tank stand and lights for $250. Here in regina used tanks are not so easy to find. I wish that we were like a bigger center where fish were more readily available etc...

I really like the way this fish looks and from my study of it I do like how it is a fish that will go through many metamorphs in it's life.

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[jp80911]

if you already have a larger tank why not just ask the seller to sell you only the fish instead of going through the hassle of reselling the tank? depends on how much he's willing to sell the fish for you can compare that with what some of the online vendor has to offer, including shipping and all just as a comparison so you get the best out of your money.
Shark Aquarium and Aquascapeonline are all good source. there might be some in Canada too, you just have to do a bit more research before blowing $600 on a 55g setup and a rhom.
in the end it is your money. as long as you think the price is not bad then it's all good.

 

[mfgl]

So your gonna resell that tank and stuff for 250$...that means your paying 350$ for a 7 inch rhom? Hell Id sell you mine for 100$ and get something else. Its a pretty boring fish for the most part and they grow really slow. trying to get one to 15+ inches as you mentioned is at least a 10 year plan. When I bought my baby rhom 2 years ago it was 6 dollars. The lfs just sold a 7 inch sanchezi for 35 dollars....I assume a black would cost about the same here.... I wish I woulda traded my rhom for the sanchezi because it was a much more active and less shy fish. Waiting 5 years to see what my rhom will turn out looking like and if he will ever come out of his shell.....makes for a pretty boring fish tank...esp when you only have 2 tanks total.

 

[frontosablkrhom]

So your gonna resell that tank and stuff for 250$...that means your paying 350$ for a 7 inch rhom? Hell Id sell you mine for 100$ and get something else. Its a pretty boring fish for the most part and they grow really slow. trying to get one to 15+ inches as you mentioned is at least a 10 year plan. When I bought my baby rhom 2 years ago it was 6 dollars. The lfs just sold a 7 inch sanchezi for 35 dollars....I assume a black would cost about the same here.... I wish I woulda traded my rhom for the sanchezi because it was a much more active and less shy fish. Waiting 5 years to see what my rhom will turn out looking like and if he will ever come out of his shell.....makes for a pretty boring fish tank...esp when you only have 2 tanks total.

rhoms arent the most entertaining when young. my nine inch bdr is like an oscar soooo much personality!!! my 6 incher is a different story. at first he would only hide and hide then do some more hideing. then a year later i put a koralia 4 powerhead in his tank. now hes all over the place! very fun to watch swim and all around great fish. my 9 incher has a koralia magnum 7 powerhead its a monster!! if you get the rhom dont pay 600. just give him like 75 for the fish and put him in a 90 with an fx5 for filtration you dont want that guys used stuff.

500th post now im a dorado sweet ha

 

[chefjamesscott]

my intention is to actually flip the 55g into what I call a flitter tank with smallish fish ie0 neons, guppies etc...

and to immediately put the fish in one of the larger tanks I am running right now

I really have no idea preset in my mind as to what this kind of fish is like so I have no expectations.

I did most recently rehome 2 pacus that I took in from other people, and it got me to thinking and wondering what would a pira be like. So I thought to come here post a thread and get some ideas.

I know that $600 seems steep, but when I look at all that the tank comes with and knowing I can resell the tank stand and lights for $250. Here in regina used tanks are not so easy to find. I wish that we were like a bigger center where fish were more readily available etc...

I really like the way this fish looks and from my study of it I do like how it is a fish that will go through many metamorphs in it's life.

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

So your gonna resell that tank and stuff for 250$...that means your paying 350$ for a 7 inch rhom? Hell Id sell you mine for 100$ and get something else. Its a pretty boring fish for the most part and they grow really slow. trying to get one to 15+ inches as you mentioned is at least a 10 year plan. When I bought my baby rhom 2 years ago it was 6 dollars. The lfs just sold a 7 inch sanchezi for 35 dollars....I assume a black would cost about the same here.... I wish I woulda traded my rhom for the sanchezi because it was a much more active and less shy fish. Waiting 5 years to see what my rhom will turn out looking like and if he will ever come out of his shell.....makes for a pretty boring fish tank...esp when you only have 2 tanks total.

I would kindly ask that you read the above red words friend, I just sold a 55g tank, stand and lights for $250, which means they go for that here.

I think getting 2 filters, a pump, heaters, chemicals, food and a 7 inch very nice looking piranha is a good deal. The guy runs a very clean set up and his equipment is in good/excellent order.

Besides there is one aspect about my direction of fish keeping that I hope never to lose. THE DESIRE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE HOBBY WITHOUT RIPPING THEM OFF BY TRYING TO GET THE CHEAPEST DEAL POSSIBLE FROM THEM.

I have many more than 2 fish tanks so I have no problem dedicating a tank solely to this fish to see what it is about pira that people are so enamoured with

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

I think getting 2 filters, a pump, heaters, chemicals, food and a 7 inch very nice looking piranha is a good deal. The guy runs a very clean set up and his equipment is in good/excellent order.

Besides there is one aspect about my direction of fish keeping that I hope never to lose. THE DESIRE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE HOBBY WITHOUT RIPPING THEM OFF BY TRYING TO GET THE CHEAPEST DEAL POSSIBLE FROM THEM.

Hey, if you've got the money and don't mind i say go for it. I still think you're overpaying by 150 bucks even if you're being generous.