I take care of a 300 gallon tank at a restaurant. It fell onto my hands when I saw the tank was green, all the fish had ich and were dying daily, and the fish were being fed once a week if that. I repeatedly told the managers since their fish company (the closest one) was located over 150 miles away and clearly couldn’t take care of the tank, I would take care of it FOR FREE if they would pay for the supplies. I’m no expert by any means and will admit when I’m having trouble. The largest tank I’ve cared for before this was 150 gallons. I knew it would be a lot of work. They ignored me until the tanks main fish (a 2 foot common pleco) died... from ich... like I told them would happen. Now I care for the tank and have been for 7 months. Its finally crystal clear with perfect levels and currently holds a small long fin Oscar, a fire eel, rope fish, keyhole Cichlid, an angelfish school, and a discus school.
Someone recently emailed us asking if she could bring in her small (6”) “silver sharks” that she is already raising with Angelfish and Discus in a tank that was getting tight for them (55g).This is where the problem begins. After looking at the picture she sent I found out they were iridescent sharks. I figured if they’re only 6” now they have a long time before they outgrow my massive tank and said yes. Once they are large enough I planned to rehome or bring a personal tank into my home that was large enough. The day she was bringing them in she called and asked if I would take her small (3”) baby Texas Cichlid. I informed her that it may not stay in the store tank because my Oscar has an attitude problem, but I would be willing to take him into one of my personal tanks if that’s the case. She was still willing to bring him in. She ended up coming in with not three but FOUR massive fish.
The Texas Cichlid is actually about 8 inches. I was worried he would actually bully my Oscar but she’s currently still making it clear she runs the tank, but not injuring him. Normal first day territorial stuff. The two iridescent sharks were about a foot or so long each. They seem fine in my tank now. Quite context actually but I’m worried it’ll get cramped quicker than expected. Then there is the mystery fish. Haven’t gotten a good picture, I will post on when I go back into work if I can get a picture of him. She claimed he was a peco, I suspect catfish. He has a very round (maybe egg filled or bloated) belly, lots of spots, a high fin, about inch long whiskers, and is about 6 inches long. He seems to rounded (short and chunky) to be a pleco. Any ideas on what it could be?
I also tore one of the iridescent sharks tails and fin. I had to transport them from bucket to tank with a net and despite it having super small holes he got stuck on it, thrashed around, and had to be cut out. Anyadvice On how to help him heal properly? They already have lots of scars from their last home I don’t want to add to it.
Sorry for the long post, there was much to explain and a lot of advice needed. I appreciate any help
Someone recently emailed us asking if she could bring in her small (6”) “silver sharks” that she is already raising with Angelfish and Discus in a tank that was getting tight for them (55g).This is where the problem begins. After looking at the picture she sent I found out they were iridescent sharks. I figured if they’re only 6” now they have a long time before they outgrow my massive tank and said yes. Once they are large enough I planned to rehome or bring a personal tank into my home that was large enough. The day she was bringing them in she called and asked if I would take her small (3”) baby Texas Cichlid. I informed her that it may not stay in the store tank because my Oscar has an attitude problem, but I would be willing to take him into one of my personal tanks if that’s the case. She was still willing to bring him in. She ended up coming in with not three but FOUR massive fish.
The Texas Cichlid is actually about 8 inches. I was worried he would actually bully my Oscar but she’s currently still making it clear she runs the tank, but not injuring him. Normal first day territorial stuff. The two iridescent sharks were about a foot or so long each. They seem fine in my tank now. Quite context actually but I’m worried it’ll get cramped quicker than expected. Then there is the mystery fish. Haven’t gotten a good picture, I will post on when I go back into work if I can get a picture of him. She claimed he was a peco, I suspect catfish. He has a very round (maybe egg filled or bloated) belly, lots of spots, a high fin, about inch long whiskers, and is about 6 inches long. He seems to rounded (short and chunky) to be a pleco. Any ideas on what it could be?
I also tore one of the iridescent sharks tails and fin. I had to transport them from bucket to tank with a net and despite it having super small holes he got stuck on it, thrashed around, and had to be cut out. Anyadvice On how to help him heal properly? They already have lots of scars from their last home I don’t want to add to it.
Sorry for the long post, there was much to explain and a lot of advice needed. I appreciate any help
