Comet companions?

[Gary]

Hello,

My mother has a tank with 2 comets in it, i am wondering if anyone can
recommend a suitable catfish/bottom-feeder to go in with the comets?

Thanks
Gary

[Ken Russell]

Hi Gary,

What size is your mothers tank? Unless it's bigger than 20 US Gal it can't
take anymore fish.

Ken Russell
Remove hat to reply


"Gary" > wrote in message
...
| Hello,
|
| My mother has a tank with 2 comets in it, i am wondering if anyone can
| recommend a suitable catfish/bottom-feeder to go in with the comets?
|
| Thanks
| Gary
|
|


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[Gary]

Thanks Ken,

Unfortunately the tank is just 20 us gallons :(

Gary
"Ken Russell" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Gary,
>
> What size is your mothers tank? Unless it's bigger than 20 US Gal it
can't
> take anymore fish.
>
> Ken Russell
> Remove hat to reply
>
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message
> ...
> | Hello,
> |
> | My mother has a tank with 2 comets in it, i am wondering if anyone can
> | recommend a suitable catfish/bottom-feeder to go in with the comets?
> |
> | Thanks
> | Gary
> |
> |
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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>
>

[Charles]

Then it's full, for now. Well grown comets should have about 30
gallons each, so if you want to take care of them, you're looking at
an upgrade.



On Sun, 14 Mar 2004 05:51:03 GMT, "Gary" >
wrote:

>Thanks Ken,
>
>Unfortunately the tank is just 20 us gallons :(
>
>Gary
>"Ken Russell" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi Gary,
>>
>> What size is your mothers tank? Unless it's bigger than 20 US Gal it
>can't
>> take anymore fish.
>>
>> Ken Russell
>> Remove hat to reply
>>
>>
>> "Gary" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> | Hello,
>> |
>> | My mother has a tank with 2 comets in it, i am wondering if anyone can
>> | recommend a suitable catfish/bottom-feeder to go in with the comets?
>> |
>> | Thanks
>> | Gary
>> |
>> |
>>
>>
>> ---
>> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>> Version: 6.0.620 / Virus Database: 399 - Release Date: 11/03/2004
>>
>>
>

--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Geezer From Freezer]

Charles wrote:
>
> Then it's full, for now. Well grown comets should have about 30
> gallons each, so if you want to take care of them, you're looking at
> an upgrade.

I agree with Charles, comets grow huge and do great in ponds or large tanks.

[Cookie]

"Gary" > wrote in message >...
> Hello,
>
> My mother has a tank with 2 comets in it, i am wondering if anyone can
> recommend a suitable catfish/bottom-feeder to go in with the comets?
>
> Thanks
> Gary



At PetsMart, they gave me a free crayfish when I bought some feeder
fish for my Oscar. He is now in my 30 gallon long (36x12x24) goldfish
tank. A great bottom feeder, however, he does tend to try to catch
fish occasionally, but never with any luck. He is really fun to watch.
BTW, in my goldfish tank, there are 5 comets (around 4 inches ea) and
6 zebra danios.

If you 20 gallon tank is a long tank, then I don't see why you
couldn't add ONE more fish. Be sure that when you do add a bottom
feeder that the temperatures are compatible (unless you have a
heater.) I keep my goldfish tank at 70 F, and they are doing fine. I
would recommend a chinese algae eater if the temp is 72 F or higher.
If you want a bottom feeder for algae control reasons, get a big snail
(as long as you don't have any live plants.)

[Elizabeth Naime]

Quoth Charles > on Sun, 14 Mar 2004 07:55:27
GMT,

>Then it's full, for now. Well grown comets should have about 30
>gallons each, so if you want to take care of them, you're looking at
>an upgrade.

I don't agree that they need 30 gallons each; their metabolisms aren't
any different from any other goldfish.

What I do agree with is that they need a large tank for swimming room.
You should consider the size of the fish, the relative need for
filtration (goldfish are notorious for needing more filtration than
similar biomasses of most other fish), and how the fish swim. 10
overfiltered gallons per fish should keep up with a full grown comet
(note I said overfiltered - I always recommend bigger filters for
goldfish no matter how big the tank is!), but they are active swimmers!
A 30 gallon tall would be cramped quarters for a single common or comet;
a 55 gallon would give minimal swimming room for two or three.

A 5 or 6 foot long tank is the next best tank for commons and comets,
in my opinion. You haven't seen the real beauty of "feeder fish" until
you've seen big commons and comets drifting, sailing, and racing
together in a tank where they can stretch out and really move.. <big
grin>

Ponds are also an option to be seriously considered. You can't just let
the water freeze over and expect them to survive, and you still need to
consider filtration and aeration, but it's easier to work on a larger
scale outdoors.

Now, with a large enough tank to add a non-goldfish companion (a 50-55
gallon would be adequate, though I prefer to see that size tank full of
fat and sassy fantails) I would think about the weather loach. Commonly
sold as the spotted dojo or the golden dojo (different colors, same
fish), they have a delightfully different eel-like shape, they do the
bottom-feeding thing though they also use the whole tank for moving
about in, they are said to enjoy playing with human hands in their
water, and they tolerate a wide temperature range with a preference for
cooler water. They'd thrive in a 68F-72F goldfish tank. A well covered
tank that is... They also have a reputation for jumping. Through very
small openings.



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