Newbie in need of some help.....

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user_name

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 17, 2011
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NW Missouri
Well, my Girlfriend bought me a 10 gallon tank setup for my birthday. I had mentioned a few times that I wanted to get a tank this summer and put a few native fish in it. She took the initiative and got the tank, along with an albino channel cat, and 2 black mollys (not native but she thought they looked cool). I know the tank is WAY too small. The cat is only about 2.5inches long. I've had him for about 3 weeks now and he seems to be doing ok, but I know his time in this tank is limited.

1. How soon will I need to get him out of here?

2. If I can't source a big enough tank in time, will he be ok if I let him out in a local farm pond?

3. How big of a tank will I need? The Orsheln Farm store has a 300gal trough, how long would that hold him for?

Please don't flame me for having him in such a tiny tank. I know it is too small and I am trying to correct it. I just don't have the $$$ to go out and buy a massive tank right now.
 
user_name;4806218; said:
Well, my Girlfriend bought me a 10 gallon tank setup for my birthday. I had mentioned a few times that I wanted to get a tank this summer and put a few native fish in it. She took the initiative and got the tank, along with an albino channel cat, and 2 black mollys (not native but she thought they looked cool). I know the tank is WAY too small. The cat is only about 2.5inches long. I've had him for about 3 weeks now and he seems to be doing ok, but I know his time in this tank is limited.

1. How soon will I need to get him out of here?
Well it all really depends, I would say once he hits 5" he needs out that being maximum.
2. If I can't source a big enough tank in time, will he be ok if I let him out in a local farm pond? Releasing aquarium fish into ponds or waterways is never a good idea. Try to find a local fish store or someone to take it.

3. How big of a tank will I need? The Orsheln Farm store has a 300gal trough, how long would that hold him for?
Channel cats get big like 2ft+ and the only down side to a trough the aren't deep enough.

Please don't flame me for having him in such a tiny tank. I know it is too small and I am trying to correct it. I just don't have the $$$ to go out and buy a massive tank right now.
Click to expand...

You could buy a swimming pool though like one at a store thats is decent sized. I don't think a kiddie pool would work but a outdoor pool yes.
 
I do check levels on a regular basis. I had Amonia spike once after going out of town for a few days. My roomate was overfeeding them. I havent had any issues with Nitrates yet.
 
I believe it is always a bad idea to release aquarium fish of any kind into a wild environment. An albino species in particular is very rare in the wild and normally don't last long. I know there are some albino populations of some fish in the wild, but the ones I know of came about naturally in an isolated environment.

The 300g stock tank would last the fish for a long time. If it did need to be given away it would probably be so big that it would be much harder to find it a home though.
 
whatever you decide to do dont release it in a pond. good luck with em tho
 
If you release, it could do massive damage to the ecosystem. However, you seem to be willing to listen to advice, and as such I welcome you to the world of fishkeeping! If you can, try and get a kiddie pool, like the others said. Channel cats and natives don't even need heat if it's indoors.
 
The kiddie pool idea is an option. The only problem is I'm currently in the second story of an apartment complex. I do have a good sized deck though. Once spring rolls around, is a pool on the deck an option?

How fast is this guy gonna grow? Would I have a year or two or months before he outgrows a 300 gallon enclosure?

I appreciate the help guys. Fish keeping is new to me and I know I'm a newb. I am a wildlife management major and currently am in school so this is all right up my alley, its just my specialty is 4 legged creatures with fur and antlers :)
 
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