I have a 6ft x 15in x 18tank. I have a 7 inch Jack Dempsey cichlid and a 7.5 inch red tail catfish. Everybody is saying that my fish are going to become stressed in the near future because the tank is too small. Now i realize that my catfish will eventually outgrow the tank, but from now until even the one foot mark I don't understand why it would make an impact. Especially since the fish have never in their lives experienced a bigger tank. How do they know what theyre missing? I mean 6ft is a pretty good amount of swim space and they can easily turn around in the tank. I want to keep my fish as long as possible but I have a plan set in stone for when my catfish outgrows the tank. I honestly don't see my Dempsey ever getting too big for my tank. Thanks for the help! and I am looking for solid, backed up answers not a "just because" type answer.
Small tank = stressed fish?
- Thread starter Wesley M
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I guess the reason is RTC grow exceptionally big and at an alarming rate, which means even most average MFK members would have a hard time housing one for life unless they already had the tank ready...
Anyway, what are your plans for your RTC when it outgrows its current home? How large is the new tank going to be? And when will it be ready?
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Anyway, what are your plans for your RTC when it outgrows its current home? How large is the new tank going to be? And when will it be ready?
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When people say its going to be stressed when it gets bigger, they mean like "only one inch to turn and still growing" bigger. That's when it gets stressed. You Fat Homer is right when he says
The jack would prefer a tank a little wider, but that is perfectly acceptable for a very long time if not for life. The redtail realistically will become uncomfortable due to size within 2-4 months. With unfavorable conditions(cooler with less food) 6-9 months.
IME the jack is going to slow in growth and will be able to be in the tank for many years. I have seen large ones that those dimensions would simply be too small.
For me, aquatics is a 3D world. A fish should have space to swim front to back and not simply down the length of the tank. BUT that probably will impact happiness and a natural feel, not simply bare comfort. As long as it can turn around without too much effort, its probably comfortable
IME the jack is going to slow in growth and will be able to be in the tank for many years. I have seen large ones that those dimensions would simply be too small.
For me, aquatics is a 3D world. A fish should have space to swim front to back and not simply down the length of the tank. BUT that probably will impact happiness and a natural feel, not simply bare comfort. As long as it can turn around without too much effort, its probably comfortable
My local fish store(where I got him originally) will take him back, or I will release him into a pond I found out in nevada. I think the pond would be best as it is down right huge. It's not owned be anybody its just in the middle of nowhere. Ithink its a hot spring because the water is constantly right around 75-80 degrees. I know its illegal to release fish like that in the wild, but I've thouroughly checked this pond and there is only one outlet and its a small stream (but with a good flow) nowhere near big enough for a catfish to swim down. It's kinda the spot people go to release over grown fish. I've actually snorkles in it and the water is crystal clear and there are fish everywhere. No native species just aquarium fish. There are thousands of convict cichlids, plattys, other cichlids I can't identify. Oh and a rather large fish with teeth that scared me and I had to get out of the water. Possibly a large jag but I'm not 100 percent sure. It would be the perfect home for my catfish.
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you know it wasnt a very smart idea to post this as now some people are going to get all mad and stuff at you for doing or thinking of doing that
but whats the big deal? if it is a good home, and no way for it to leave the pond and access the rest of the local ecosystem then whats the big deal? The water is warm all year round and there is plenty of food. If anything it would be helping remove the non native species from the pond by eating them all. The pond is easily 100 ft long and atleast 50 ft wide and its ten feet deep in some places. and again, it is impossible for it to enter the rest of the waterways and begin harming the ecosystem.
Ya let it go in that pond bro RTC are only going to grow huge for you not to keep it. Better then giving it back to your lfs cause somone else will do somthing bad with it.
Ok first run down - if its illegal don't post it on here we dont condone or encourage that type of activity. It is illegal to release a fish into the wild, esp when it is not native. For that reason I am closing this. Please also understand that anything you post on this site is open access to the public so anyone can read this.
In short a better plan would be to call to your local aquarium, zoo or other resource that can properly house the fish and would be willing to take it in. You LFS is probably not going to be your best bet and releasing it into the wild, no matter the situation should never be an option.
Again mfk does not condone this therefore this subject is closed.
In short a better plan would be to call to your local aquarium, zoo or other resource that can properly house the fish and would be willing to take it in. You LFS is probably not going to be your best bet and releasing it into the wild, no matter the situation should never be an option.
Again mfk does not condone this therefore this subject is closed.
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