Why did you buy fish that get too large for your tank?

[Chefken]

I Have an aro in my 52 gallon 48" tank. Always wanted to raise one so I got one barely beyond the egg sac and am raising it. I n January I am moving up to a 120 48" tank which is as big as I can go. I know when the aro hits 18 inches he must find a new home. Meanwhile i have 37 inches of fish in a 52 gallon tank....filtered like a 150 and I need to defend myself! I will find a good home for my aro when the time comes I can promise that!

 

[Jayzao]

I'm slightly overstocked, grossly overstocked, but individually my fish aren't too "large" for my tank...however when they get any where near half the width of my tank i'll be moving them to an indoor pond.

I too am "overstocked" but religiously do 2x 25% water changes per week and don't feed on Monday's to remedy all the overfeeding we do on the weekends.

I just recently have begun to rehome some fish to friends to thin out some of our pets.

If you can maintain a healthly environment I think its ok to be a bit overstocked. But don't think it is not going to require that much more maintenance.

The one inch per gallon rule seems to produce an overstocked tank.
Maybe it needs revision?

 

[Doradid]

i got a ray, silver aro and niger cat that all get 40+", and an irwini cat max at 24" in a 120g. They are 6-13" inches right now so they shouldnt ever get too big for the tank. fish only grow to the size of their tank.

 

[Racersk]

So far with my 3 bigger tanks, I have 3 fish that will eventually get too for my current set up.

One is my bowfin, currently 6" and being picky about what it eats, might be in his 90 gallon for a while. Currently in with 3 big plecos-2 of which are being actively re homed- a dojo loach a smaller shubunkin and a green sunfish-both the dojo and gf are going into the pond as soon as I remove raccoon neighbors)

Second fish is my ornate bichir, also in a 90gallon(different one than above), again, being a picky eater, isn't growing that fast...now currently 7". Currently in with 2 other 9-10" bichirs, a small bala, 4 smaller tinfoil barbs, 3 african knifes and 1 asian knife-actively rehoming all 4 tin foils.

The last one is my golden clown knife, this guy is growing quick, a little over 12" now and bulking up-not a picky eater! I will be talking to my LFS soon about a new home...He's in with the bichirs and barbs...

I got them with the intensions to rehome them if/when I felt they were overcrowding my tank/s. I am also looking to upgrade if I come across the right tank-something to fit an arowana into!

All my tanks are maxed or considered overstocked, but I know this and I am actively looking for suitable replacement homes as needed. I have more than enough filtration and I am religious about tank upkeep, it is my saturday morning ritual!


I think the difference between those who knowingly house these fish and those who just buy them is the knowledge that it WILL get too big for the tank their in and will actively find replacement homes when needed. Be it an upgrade or a rehome to the LFS etc...

BTW anyone want any tin foil barbs or 7-8" plecos in the pacific NW(negotiable with the price)?

 

[Moloch]

i got a ray, silver aro and niger cat that all get 40+", and an irwini cat max at 24" in a 120g. They are 6-13" inches right now so they shouldnt ever get too big for the tank. fish only grow to the size of their tank.

please be troll

 

[ccebr]

I dont get fish that grow too big for my tank, but I definately overstock! My 150 has a silver aro, 2 jags, 1 wolf, 2 motas, a green terror and a jack dempsey..damn lol. My 40 has around 60 wolf/jags at 2" and 6 clown loaches...damn lol. Reason I'm so overstocked is I got all the fish as fry and grew them out to find out which were best. A few have gone now (sold or eaten) but I still need to get rid of a few. Wish I didnt have to though thats why I'm putting it off. IMO as long as the tanks clean and the fish have a fair bit of room its fine. But I dont agree with putting a red tail cat in a 120 (for example)

 

[NocturnalX]

i bought a 6" gator gar, and i have him on a 20g long now.
because i know i can upgrade to a large tank/pond eventually

and its because gators are my favorite fish and i love them.
i don't see the sense of getting a fish you that you won't love just because you don't have a large tank at the moment.

 

[geronimo69]

i bought a 6" gator gar, and i have him on a 20g long now.
because i know i can upgrade to a large tank/pond eventually

and its because gators are my favorite fish and i love them.
i don't see the sense of getting a fish you that you won't love just because you don't have a large tank at the moment.

It's called responsibility. There's WAY too many people out there that "stunt" their fishes growth, in this exact manner. If you can't house it, don't buy it. End of story.... How would you like to spend your life in a closet? Maybe try it for a day or 2...

 

[geronimo69]

i got a ray, silver aro and niger cat that all get 40+", and an irwini cat max at 24" in a 120g. They are 6-13" inches right now so they shouldnt ever get too big for the tank. fish only grow to the size of their tank.

Only grow to the size of the tank? Probably the worst comment I've heard since being on MFK...

 

[Bderick67]

I dont get fish that grow too big for my tank, but I definately overstock! My 150 has a silver aro, 2 jags, 1 wolf, 2 motas, a green terror and a jack dempsey..damn lol. My 40 has around 60 wolf/jags at 2" and 6 clown loaches...damn lol. Reason I'm so overstocked is I got all the fish as fry and grew them out to find out which were best. A few have gone now (sold or eaten) but I still need to get rid of a few. Wish I didnt have to though thats why I'm putting it off. IMO as long as the tanks clean and the fish have a fair bit of room its fine. But I dont agree with putting a red tail cat in a 120 (for example)

You seriously going the keep that silver aro in that 150g tank for the rest of it's life?

i bought a 6" gator gar, and i have him on a 20g long now.
because i know i can upgrade to a large tank/pond eventually

and its because gators are my favorite fish and i love them.
i don't see the sense of getting a fish you that you won't love just because you don't have a large tank at the moment.

Wow I guess you can keep it in that tank til it's 24" or so, right?