Potential Rhom Owner: Questions

[Finksburg]

Hi All, new here. I‘ve kept RBP in the past. I had 7 in a 150 gal a number of years ago. I loved those fish. One night I heard a loud explosion and woke up to fractured tank and water leaking everywhere. I managed to save all the fish, but had to give them away to my local fish store. I didn’t have a tank for them anymore.

I think im about ready to get back into the hobby. I want to make sure I do it right though. I’ve decided to play the long game and grow a juvenile rhom.

Few questions as as it’s been a while..

1. How long can I keep him in a 55g without fear of hindering growth. Any decent places to get a good tank?
2. Filters / powerhead recommendations for a 55g?
3. What are the good online breeders now for rhoms? I’m in the USA, maryland.
4. Any good reads on rhoms or advice you could lend a new owner?
5. Should I test my tape beforehand?

thanks all!

 

[dr exum]

Welcome,

You can grab one of those 55g kits from pets mart for $150 or so...

If you get a little one 2” or so id imagine they could live in there for at least a few years or grab a 75 at petco for $100 and you should be good for maybe a decade?

They grow very slow....

No breeders, I think they all are wild, Aquascape has a variety!

Good luck!

 

[tlindsey]

Hi All, new here. I‘ve kept RBP in the past. I had 7 in a 150 gal a number of years ago. I loved those fish. One night I heard a loud explosion and woke up to fractured tank and water leaking everywhere. I managed to save all the fish, but had to give them away to my local fish store. I didn’t have a tank for them anymore.

I think im about ready to get back into the hobby. I want to make sure I do it right though. I’ve decided to play the long game and grow a juvenile rhom.

Few questions as as it’s been a while..

1. How long can I keep him in a 55g without fear of hindering growth. Any decent places to get a good tank?
2. Filters / powerhead recommendations for a 55g?
3. What are the good online breeders now for rhoms? I’m in the USA, maryland.
4. Any good reads on rhoms or advice you could lend a new owner?
5. Should I test my tape beforehand?

thanks all!

Welcome aboard
Great to hear you are ready get back in the fish keeping hobby. Also excellent questions. I suggest waiting for aquarium's to go on sale. Petco, Petsmart and Petsuppliesplus have sales occasionally . I would start the juvie Rhom out in a 75 gallon that should be fine for a few years Rhoms grow very slow. The key for good growth is consistent large weekly water changes and good food. You could run 2 Aquaclear 110's one on each end that should be sufficient.

 

[lm26sk]

My opinion .
For tanks check Craigslist , sometimes people are selling tAnks for dirt cheap with filters.
If you have place for bigger tank get it if not 55 is fine for 2-3 years (my 2inch rhombeus is in 20 gall long since he was 1/2inch ) . As already said good water changes are a must with these fish and get extra filter as well , you can never over filter these guys.

 

[Finksburg]

Thanks for all the insight. Full disclosure...

I’m easing the lady into the idea. I have her sold on a 55g (48 long x 13 wide x 20 high) tank right now (a matter of home decor lol). I have room for a larger tank. The thing is I can’t just go snag a 75g+ tank right away and throw the guy in there. If I show her I’m enjoying it and dress it up nice, she’ll be game for whatever in the future.

I’m going into this with the plan of getting a juvenile (1-2”) and growing him into a monster over the years. That’ll be the fun part for me. I know there has been variance reported in how quickly they grow. However, I can’t imagine I won’t be okay with juvenile in a 55g for a year and some change, right? I don’t want to stunt him is all.

The end goal here is a 180g tank after the 55g. I would say within 2 years?

Really appreciate the replies everyone. Any thoughts on the above would be great. I got a great deal on a 55g at petsmart for $100.

Now to find a juvenile diamond and getting the water cycled. No rush. Want to do it right.

 

[audiction]

55g would be fine for a juvi 1-2" rhom...keep in mind rhoms that size will only be fast growers until it reaches 4 inches or so then it slows down like a regular growth rate of any serrasalmus specie. having to grow out a very small rhom to a monster size like 18" would be nearly impossible in captivity. you'll be lucky if it even reaches 12 inches and that would take YEARS. so if you're an impatient person you're better off buying the largest rhom you could find if that is your goal eventually...to have a monster rhom. nothing wrong with growing it out but just letting you know...most likely you won't be able to grow it to 18". pygo on the other had...that's another story

 

[Finksburg]

55g would be fine for a juvi 1-2" rhom...keep in mind rhoms that size will only be fast growers until it reaches 4 inches or so then it slows down like a regular growth rate of any serrasalmus specie. having to grow out a very small rhom to a monster size like 18" would be nearly impossible in captivity. you'll be lucky if it even reaches 12 inches and that would take YEARS. so if you're an impatient person you're better off buying the largest rhom you could find if that is your goal eventually...to have a monster rhom. nothing wrong with growing it out but just letting you know...most likely you won't be able to grow it to 18". pygo on the other had...that's another story

I did not know that! It’s good to know though.10-12” would be awesome. Do you get to see them go through those stages you see in the different sizes?

For example, that large, muscular looking body you can see on the mature Rhoms ? I’m not necessarily looking to get a 18” monster. Although, I’d like to eventually get it to a 10-12” big body mature looking one (dark color, wide body, etc.)

 

[Finksburg]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to say thanks for the help. I ended up getting a 75g due to some concerns I had around the dimensions of a 55g (width). I feel like I can keep him in this thing for about 2 years before I have to start looking at his final home of a 180gal.

Just a heads up, PetsMart has 75g with a stand for only $250 right now. It was a no brainer for me in the long run. I think its just a Xmas Eve sale though.

Thanks again!

 

[dr exum]

Nice pick up congrats!

 

[BigShawn]

A 75 will last a small/medium rom for years, nice pick up...