hi there

[fballguy]

Hi there. I understand what it is like to have an overstocked tank. You have to start somewhere, and unfortunatly most of us put our trust in what they tell us at the pet shop, and we dont learn from experienced users at a forum until after the fact. I learned the hard way too, at first I didn't believe what I was being said, but the more I researched my fish the more I learned that what people were telling me was right. Most every pet store is wrong in the information they give out. Some are just in it for the money, some honestly just don't know. The best thing to do is to research the fish you want before you get them, that way you know what kind of requirements they need. The internet is a great resource, but you have to be careful where you get your information. Your best bet is to go to the library and check out the most recent fish books you can find. Avoid older books, because there was a time when nobody knew about overstocking, so the information is out of date. As for what to so with your situation, most every pet store will take fish for free. If not, then find a friend with a suitable tank. If you can't do either of those, a quick painless method of euthanasia is better than letting them suffer in cramped quarters, swimming in ther own waste.

[emc7]

swimming in ther own waste.

This is what's key. If your tank is overstocked, you need to overwaterchange. Keeping the water clean will buy you more time to deal with the issue.

[spamvicious]

Our water is crystal clear. Its cleaned every week with a 20% water change and all the ph levels etc are normal. I'm currently looking into a tank that holds 180 Litres (48 Gallons) that someone is selling in my city but its on ebay so who knows what will happen lol. I don't want to continue the discussion that happened before cos i'm not here for agression!

Although the positive thing is i will be able to add more fish with a much much bigger tank??

[FishHead]

i wouldnt add any more fish if you get a bigger tank. i would stick with what you have.

[Fishfirst]

stick with what you've got... your current fish population will outgrow the tank you are considering.

[fballguy]

Originally Posted by spamvicious

Although the positive thing is i will be able to add more fish with a much much bigger tank??

Maybe if you get like a 300 gallon tank...

Clown loaches get pretty big, common plecos get huge. Most common plecs will grow to around 17-24 inches. If you were to keep all of the fish you have now for the long term, you would need at least a 125 gallon tank to keep them healthy.

[spamvicious]

We have a new tank now 130 litres and its 3 foot long so the fishes have lots of room.

[fballguy]

Here are links to info about these fish you refuse to care for properly:

Common pleco:

Maximum length: 1 to 2 feet

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/pleco.htm

Many will get very large with the common variety getting to be almost 18 inches (46 cm) and will outgrow most aquariums under 55 gallons.

http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Pleco.htm

Size:
24 inches has been reported but 18 inches is much more common.

http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/prof...ecostomus.html

Tank Size:
55 g (208 L)

http://www.fishinthe.net/html/fishgu...198&nl=10&nt=3

best to give them a minimum of 55 gallons.

http://www.fishforums.com/forum/intr...i-there-2.html

Clown Loach:

minimum of 75 gallons or more

http://www.loaches.com/species-index...a-macracanthus

Size: Up to 18" (50cm)

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile13.html

Tank Size:
80 Gallons

http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishin...sh/loach.shtml

due to their potential size a 50 gallon aquarium should be the minimum size used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach

Tank size:
80 gal

http://aquaweb.pair.com/forums/archi....cgi?read=3005

I thought maybe just hearing it from us is not enough, so here it is from other sources. Even these are quite stingy tank size requirements IMO, I would go even bigger. But that's just me.

[emc7]

Good links, but this seems a little harsh.

fish you refuse to care for properly

The new tank has bought more time to rehome those 3 fish. The rest sound like about right for the 33. Sorry spam, no more fish though.

[spamvicious]

Ok i'll be leaving now, I don't like the attitude of some of the people on here, i'm here for advice, I was told that the tank I had was too small so i got another tank, it was the only tank I could get this soon hence it not being amazingly big. I can only do what I can do, no one will rehome them so I got a bigger tank, considering the pleccy and the clown loach are not even 4 inch yet in a 3 foot tank but i'm apparently being cruel? I am not going to leave the fish in that tank when they grow obviously. Anyway I don't know why i'm trying to defend myself when most people on here are just wanting to attack with their holier than thou attitudes.

Bye.

[Obsidian]

Spam, If you do choose to read any possible responses I would like you to take note that there are lots of people who come to this site, and only a very few who have responded to you here (and even fewer of those individuals were a bit overenthusiastic). It is your choice if you want to go someplace else, and given your experience in this particular thread I would not blame you. Sometimes some of those with very strong opinions have a difficult time saying what they have to say and then letting it go. The opinions are important, the beating over the head with the opinions is not. Learning to ignore some folks is important too. (And those who do get overexcited tend to shoot themselves in the foot because people stop paying attention to them).

Personally I am glad to hear that you got a larger tank! I agree that although the fish are small now it would really not be safe to add anymore. The fish will grow into your tank. You can care for the overstock issue well with larger water changes, or doing them twice a week instead of once a week.

In the meantime keep your eyes open for free tanks or larger tanks that you can get cheap. People will often decide to move and don't want to hassle with moving a really large tank (I got a 100 gallon beautiful tank with solid oak stand and canopy for dirt cheap this way). Others just don't want to hassle with trying to sell it and place them out by dumpsters. These are common ways to get cheap tanks! Mostly it just takes having your eyes open and asking your friends to do the same. Hopefully by the time the fishies grow into the tank that you just got you will have the next step ready! At this point in time I strongly feel that euthanasia should not have even been mentioned as an option. For a healthy fish that is an extreme answer to what is likely a short term problem. If the problem reaches that level the chances of finding a home for those fish still outweighs the need for euthanasia. It can be hard, but there ARE people who will take the fish.

In any case I am glad you tried the forum out, and hope you choose to stick around.

[Scuba Kid]

Originally Posted by spamvicious

Ok i'll be leaving now, I don't like the attitude of some of the people on here, i'm here for advice, I was told that the tank I had was too small so i got another tank, it was the only tank I could get this soon hence it not being amazingly big. I can only do what I can do, no one will rehome them so I got a bigger tank, considering the pleccy and the clown loach are not even 4 inch yet in a 3 foot tank but i'm apparently being cruel? I am not going to leave the fish in that tank when they grow obviously. Anyway I don't know why i'm trying to defend myself when most people on here are just wanting to attack with their holier than thou attitudes.

Bye.

From what I've read, you've been given damn good advice but refuse to take it because its not what you want to hear.

[Kyoberr]

People here are harsh, but don't mean any harm. Bye, I guess.

[fballguy]

I apologize for being so harsh. I realize you are doing the best you can to provide the best home you can for your fish, and I was a little over the top. I'm glad you are at least trying to do better, many people is your situation would have been telling us all along that we are wrong and they would not even bother trying. Again, I apologize for my words. I hope you can eventually find a new home for your fish that will outgrow your tank.