Ok I deal mainly in bettas but I want to start moving into salt water, and bigger fresh fish. However I am not so knowledgeable about all other breeds. I have to admit I did a very super stupid newbie thing. I bought my wife fresh water stock, with like bare mininum aquarium parts. I have her small guys in a 2.5 gallon jug by a space heater, no air stone. And the "shark" which I forget what type it is, is in his own like 2.5 tank with a cheap filter and airstone. However the temp of the water is off obviously because I don't have a heater. Though the "shark" will stay in this 2.5 tank, should I get a small cheap heater for him? Also when I was acclimating him, he did something odd. He was floating tail down and not moving. He would be active and then just float and his eyes looked a bit bulgey, it freaked me out and now I think he is a bit more acclimated, but if there is anything else I can do please let me know. Also if someone can tell me the type of "shark" he is, he is silver and black, and has whiskers, the pet shop is closed now so I cant go back to look. I also hardly ever buy from pet shops but this one has good fish and a good rep. Do you think the little guys (gups and tets) can survive a while, while I get the tank set up and put in some algae stim?
Help me I messed up 0_o
- Thread starter Ikhan Bettah
- Start date
<-------- 
So you bought a 20 gallon.
Did it come with a heater???
And this "rep" pet store sold you fish when you bought your aquarium???
Do they have a return policy???
Are you setting the aquarium up???
First of all you shouldnt have bought a fish if you dont have a tank to put it in LOL
That shark needs a huge tank, 20 gallons would be good for a short time. (if you can keep it alive)
That shark needs a huge tank, 20 gallons would be good for a short time. (if you can keep it alive)
i think what you got is an irridescent (think the spelling is wrong) cat fish
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/catfish/pangasius.php
you could check whether that is it.
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/catfish/pangasius.php
you could check whether that is it.
We need to figure out which "shark" you have but first a couple pointers, they need heaters and unless the tank is planted and unoccupied fish should not be put into uncycled tanks, Yours sounds like a case of thermal shock. Also it is best to look up or ask about the fish you are thinking about before buying it and always have the tank ready before making the purchase.
As a case in point, bala sharks are active but peaceful and have been known to reach almost 18"s but 12" is usually about max. Pangasius sharks get to 54" and columbian sharks to at least 14" and require salt water as adults.
As a case in point, bala sharks are active but peaceful and have been known to reach almost 18"s but 12" is usually about max. Pangasius sharks get to 54" and columbian sharks to at least 14" and require salt water as adults.
Its an irridescent we already established that, and I know that I messed up on what I did, plese don't repeat the obvious -_-. What I need is info on how to ready a tank for the shark, how long that should take, and if I can keep him ok in a smaller one till its ready....
For the smaller fish I am setting up a ten gallon tommarow with all the stuff, and that needs to cycle as well. I am not worried about them though because the gups , barbs, and tets are all pretty tough, and seem fine in their jug. I just don't want to put my IRIRD shark in a 20 gal and get him two tank mates if I should get a bigger tank.
For the smaller fish I am setting up a ten gallon tommarow with all the stuff, and that needs to cycle as well. I am not worried about them though because the gups , barbs, and tets are all pretty tough, and seem fine in their jug. I just don't want to put my IRIRD shark in a 20 gal and get him two tank mates if I should get a bigger tank.