New To The Hobby, A Little Worried

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xmarltonx

Feeder Fish
Oct 3, 2007
4
0
0
NJ
So the other day I decided I wanted to buy a Piranha. I happened to be in the local fish store and they had some there in 10 gallon tanks.

I talked to the store owner and he assure me that my 10 gallon tank at home would be fine, so I prepped the tank and the next day I bought him and put him in (today).

I have had the fish for less than 12 hours and am a little nervous. Is my tank big enough? The store owner told me so but from what I am reading on here it looks like he pulled a fast one on me. They dont accept exchanges/returns and I live in Newark NJ, so the store itself was a little questionable.

Its a red belly piranah and appears to be about 4 inches. He's in a 10 gallon all to himself. He's been pretty relaxed today, just sitting in the corner of the tank. I shut the lights off and came back from school and found him swimming around.

Any advice/suggestions? If I made a mistake, please dont jump down my throat like I have seen happen to some people. When the guy at the fish store tells you its ok, whats someone who doesn't know alot about fish supposed to do?

Here's some pics (sorry cameraphone):

1003070111nb7.jpg
 
Bogwoodbruce;1170981; said:
He will outgorwe that tank in no time. You need to upgrade to at least a 30+. And did you set the tank up the day before??? You need a tank which has been setup and running for at least a month.
Click to expand...

The tank was set up the day before and the owner of the fish store gave me some primer to put in and told me to run it for a day and then come back.
 
First thing you need to do is get a larger tank. RBP's grow the fastest of the piranha family and will reach 6" in no time. I believe it took my cousin just under a year to get his to 9.5". Like Bog stated, a 30 gallon at the bare minimun but if you can go larger it will only help. I've always liked the 50 gal breeder myself as a single specimen tank. You need length and width when looking at piranha tanks, heighth isn't really an issue as long as its not too shallow (15" is about as shallow as I'd go). Your tank has not been "cycled" so purchase (at least) an ammonia test kit and keep an eye on the ammonia level doing 50% water changes daily as the ammonia level begins to rise. Do a search on tank cycling and the nitrogen cycle to better understand whats happening and how easily it will kill that fish. Any questions from there try doing a search first and if you can't find an answer post a thread. Welcome to MFK! Last but not least...never trust this store clerk that sold you this set up again.
 
sounds like he wanted to pull a fast one.
kinda dissapointing how people mislead you just to make a quick buck.

well, now that you have the fish and the owner doesn't refund. i'd throw a nice rock at his store windows.. just kidding.
you'll need to upgrade your tank. BUT if thats not an option for you and you want to keep the fish... i'd get a filter rated for 50-70gallons. that should hold a large enough colony of benificial bacteria to cycle your water and keep it stable for awhile. i'd try to change water every few days. only change about 30% don't go more than that because it's such a small tank the water temp can change real quick and shock you're fish. a better idea would be 10% everyday.... leave your tank bare. your fish will need all the room he can get.. take out any un eaten food after feedings and good luck... oh and yes welcome to the hobby =)

once he gets too big for the tank please invest in a larger one, or sell him off.
 
First off, congrats on your caribe....this is not a red belly if he has a black dot by/on his gills.

I have a 29 gallon tank for my single redbelly, with a 40 gallon rated filter.

I had my piranha in my 75 gallon tank, and it made him paranoid. So bigger is not always better, but 99% of the time it is.

Don't forget vinizuh, the fish still needs to move. It'll need an upgrade at somepoint to something a little more suitable to the size/shape of your fish.

Keep your fish. You've just started, but you've already found us, and that's half the battle. Now that you're armed with the right information, please try your hardest to keep him before you say "I can't afford another tank" or "I don't have room" If this was your standpoint at purchase, then he really shouldn't have been bought.

I didn't have money for a new tank right away, but my fiance and I were waiting on a check that would've come any day. my fiance got his check, bought his explorer and then with some of the leftover money, dropped $32 (it was mismarked, so we got it for 6 dollars off! ^_^) on a 29 gallon tank. My 29 is about twice the length of my 10, but SOOOO worth the extra space, to know my fish is happy!! Or, you could join your local freecycle, post something you wish to get rid of (it's based on a karma system, you offer something, and usually you will get things that you're looking for.) Everything's free. As a matter of fact, I JUST got a 35 gallon hex, a 10.5 Clown Knife, a red-tailed shark, and was offered a 15 gallon tank!! All of it {you guessed it} free!!

xmarltonx, you could do one or two more things.
1) Call that store and try to correct their information. If he refuses to listen try this....
2) Call the Better Business Bureau, and report him. That's false advertizing and his happy behind will get in booku trouble!!

Hopefully you decide to keep him. But if you don't, post your fish on the MFK classifieds, so he can find a good home!!
 
^^agreed you can buy a used 29 gallon cheap, and it will most likey come with all the equipment you need. i've baught a used 20g tall and a 29 gallon long with canopy lights and all the equipment on a buysell.com for 35$ YES 35... thats like half my tank of gas... or a friday night meal. so don't think that you can't afford one... also, i don't see the problem with room because a 29 gallon isn't too big, you should find a way to decorate you room to make it fit.

again good luck and i hope you keep him. (especially if he's a caribe)

^_^
 
Can't tell too well from the pic. Fish is not even close to being established but I see no signs of it being a caribe
 
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