At my LFS "Pet Zoo" in commack, ny they had a 3" baby RTC. I remember staring at it and thinking how it was near the same as mine wishing I could buy another. Within in 2-3 days it was gone. About 4 weeks later I saw it was back but skinny as could be with its gill completely curled outwards to the point he could not close his gills. The owner told me someone bought it with a 29 gallon tank which had a couple of pleco's and loaches. Planning to get a bigger tank he put the RTC in the 29. Helike most people do put about 5 feeder goldfish, which only 2 got eaten. The owner warned him about over-feeding, like most though he did not listen. With his biological load increased by the goldfish and the hungry RTC his ammonia spiked. Even with the better filter not haven bacterial colonies established caused the ammonia to become deadly. Everything in his tank was fine but ammonia kept rising. When he came in to test his water and return the fish "screaming it was sick" his ammonia was higher then the API charts could read and his PH was below 6. The RTC produced a ton of toxins from constant feeding and acid from regurg'n parts of the goldfish, so even though his tank was cycled it couldnt handle the bio load being inceased by the RTC and goldfish. 99% of people who buy them small end up feeding them for enjoyment and growing them big. Which in the right environment is alot of fun, but in a small 29 gal is deadly. These fish can be tons of fun or tons of stress so extra work in the begining is needed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Ob6OSBoMg I am working to buy this fish and pay for its surgery by a local vet. If all goes well he will be up for adoption in 2-3 mnths, though he will most likely die. I live on L.I. and will drive anywhere within 300 miles to someone with the proper credentials. Please contact me if you are interested in adopting this fish free of charge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Ob6OSBoMg I am working to buy this fish and pay for its surgery by a local vet. If all goes well he will be up for adoption in 2-3 mnths, though he will most likely die. I live on L.I. and will drive anywhere within 300 miles to someone with the proper credentials. Please contact me if you are interested in adopting this fish free of charge.
