Hello,
New to the forums, but a lifelong aquarium hobbyist and monster fish lover. I have recently really got back into it, but I have some concerns about my fishes.
First my setup and fishes:
55 gallon tank with two power filters, one double
temp: trying to keep at 76 F
ph: try to keep at 7.0
Planning to move to a 125 gallon this year
My fishes:
1 7.5" (and growing) osphronemus Giant gourami
1 5.5" Black (labeo) shark
1 2.5" Tiger Datnoid
1 5.5" Red Bay Snook cichlid
Why I am concerned a bit:
I started with the black shark and gourami (and a since passed pink kisser) in a 20 gallon tank. The gourami was 3-7", the shark started at under an inch.
I moved them to the 55 last year, but admittedly did not change the water nearly enough. Maybe 4-5 times over the year. Yes, I know, and I hate myself for it. When I did change, I tried to be thorough.
They have been moved and the tank cleaned and gravel vac'd weekly for the last month, and I plan to maintain this (obviously) better schedule.
I do try to give give my fishes a balanced diet, though I tend to overfeed-2, maybe three feedings a day. I give them a mix of frozen brine, floating and sinking color/growth pellets. I also add packets of algae (for the shark & gourami) once or twice a week, as well as mealworms or feeder guppies a few times a week. I am thinking of adding frozen plankton to the mix for more variety.
Okay, I worry that I may have stunted my shark. Does almost 6" seem right, or should he be bigger at this point? I'm hoping he is not stunted. The other three have really responded well to pellet feeding, and I try to drop extra sinking for the shark, who loves them, but just doesn't have the mouth for 4-6 pellets in a second.
The gourami has really grown with the better conditions. At one point I thought the shark would catch him in size, but the gourami is pushing 8 inches and will beg for good regardless of how much I the gluttionous beast!
The balance of the tank:
-The gourami is king, tyrant, and absolute ruler. He bullies the snook and the shark regularly, chasing them both around the tank somewhat often.
-The shark is next and can be ruthless, in particular to the snook, who has almost caught him in size.
-The snook, like other snooks I've owned, is pretty peaceful for a cichlid. I know, I probably shouldn't have South American in a mostly Asian tank.
-Bottom rung is the little tiger dat, who holds his own, and actually battles for his own spot with the snook. He wouldn't grow at all at first, but is really responding to better water and pellets.
It seems pretty balanced as far as the personalities go. Way back in the 20 gallon, I had a clown knife 4" that did okay with the mix, but inexplicably died. I have since tried to introduce another 5" clown knife, but instead holding its own, it was sadly pummeled to death by the next morning. I just don't know if there is room for newcomers right now.
I am planning to add a clown knife and silver arrowana to the 125 when I set up, and introduce the others one by one over a week or two.
Sorry to be so long winded. Does anyone think I stunted my shark, or do I need to add more algae/brine/bloodworms and plankton. He seems bigger, just not where I want him to be.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
Jim
New to the forums, but a lifelong aquarium hobbyist and monster fish lover. I have recently really got back into it, but I have some concerns about my fishes.
First my setup and fishes:
55 gallon tank with two power filters, one double
temp: trying to keep at 76 F
ph: try to keep at 7.0
Planning to move to a 125 gallon this year
My fishes:
1 7.5" (and growing) osphronemus Giant gourami
1 5.5" Black (labeo) shark
1 2.5" Tiger Datnoid
1 5.5" Red Bay Snook cichlid
Why I am concerned a bit:
I started with the black shark and gourami (and a since passed pink kisser) in a 20 gallon tank. The gourami was 3-7", the shark started at under an inch.
I moved them to the 55 last year, but admittedly did not change the water nearly enough. Maybe 4-5 times over the year. Yes, I know, and I hate myself for it. When I did change, I tried to be thorough.
They have been moved and the tank cleaned and gravel vac'd weekly for the last month, and I plan to maintain this (obviously) better schedule.
I do try to give give my fishes a balanced diet, though I tend to overfeed-2, maybe three feedings a day. I give them a mix of frozen brine, floating and sinking color/growth pellets. I also add packets of algae (for the shark & gourami) once or twice a week, as well as mealworms or feeder guppies a few times a week. I am thinking of adding frozen plankton to the mix for more variety.
Okay, I worry that I may have stunted my shark. Does almost 6" seem right, or should he be bigger at this point? I'm hoping he is not stunted. The other three have really responded well to pellet feeding, and I try to drop extra sinking for the shark, who loves them, but just doesn't have the mouth for 4-6 pellets in a second.
The gourami has really grown with the better conditions. At one point I thought the shark would catch him in size, but the gourami is pushing 8 inches and will beg for good regardless of how much I the gluttionous beast!
The balance of the tank:
-The gourami is king, tyrant, and absolute ruler. He bullies the snook and the shark regularly, chasing them both around the tank somewhat often.
-The shark is next and can be ruthless, in particular to the snook, who has almost caught him in size.
-The snook, like other snooks I've owned, is pretty peaceful for a cichlid. I know, I probably shouldn't have South American in a mostly Asian tank.
-Bottom rung is the little tiger dat, who holds his own, and actually battles for his own spot with the snook. He wouldn't grow at all at first, but is really responding to better water and pellets.
It seems pretty balanced as far as the personalities go. Way back in the 20 gallon, I had a clown knife 4" that did okay with the mix, but inexplicably died. I have since tried to introduce another 5" clown knife, but instead holding its own, it was sadly pummeled to death by the next morning. I just don't know if there is room for newcomers right now.
I am planning to add a clown knife and silver arrowana to the 125 when I set up, and introduce the others one by one over a week or two.
Sorry to be so long winded. Does anyone think I stunted my shark, or do I need to add more algae/brine/bloodworms and plankton. He seems bigger, just not where I want him to be.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
Jim
