Are my goldfish male or female? and other newbie questions...

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Hello,
I have a black moor that I purchased as small-medium sized about six
months ago, a baby bubble eye, and a baby trinidad plecostomus catfish.
How can I tell the gender of my fish?
Also, the bubble has a fin that is not growing at par with the other
fins...what can be the problem and how can I correct it?
And, what efficient filter system would be most recommendable for a ten
gallon tank?
And lastly, I'd like to eventually graduate my fish to a larger
tank...but am having a hard time because of economics...what tank/filter
system would be best for us as our next step? I don't have any pet
stores near me and I've searched some catalogs looking for an economical
small-medium sized freshwater kit, but can't seem to find what I'm
looking for. I guess I'll need a stand, maybe a 20-30 gal., with a three
part filter (chemical, biological, mechanical)?
Thank you for your response and your suggestions are appreciated.
Newbie

[Mike Edwardes]

In article >,
wrote:

> Hello,
> I have a black moor that I purchased as small-medium sized about six
> months ago, a baby bubble eye, and a baby trinidad plecostomus catfish.
> How can I tell the gender of my fish?

http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Cauratus.html#7

> Also, the bubble has a fin that is not growing at par with the other
> fins...what can be the problem and how can I correct it?
> And, what efficient filter system would be most recommendable for a ten
> gallon tank?

Sorry to tell you this, but your tank is really too small for these
fish, hence slow growth:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Cauratus.html#4

Mike.
--
Mike Edwardes Tropicals
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net

[NetMax]

> wrote in message
...
> Hello,
> I have a black moor that I purchased as small-medium sized about six
> months ago, a baby bubble eye, and a baby trinidad plecostomus catfish.
> How can I tell the gender of my fish?

When the female is full of eggs, and has a squared off appearance. Your
are probably too small.

> Also, the bubble has a fin that is not growing at par with the other
> fins...what can be the problem and how can I correct it?

First thing to check is water quality, as that will affect their
appetite. Different fish are affected by different levels. If water
quality is good, then try altering their diet. Runts are not unusual
too.

> And, what efficient filter system would be most recommendable for a ten
> gallon tank?

I'd go with something which has good pickup power, fast & easy to
maintain and low cost as the 10g will surely be temporary. I think the
AquaClear 150 is rated for a 20g and would do your 10g fine. I'd use
double sponges to increase your biological capability, with carbon
sandwiched in-between.

> And lastly, I'd like to eventually graduate my fish to a larger
> tank...but am having a hard time because of economics...what
tank/filter
> system would be best for us as our next step?

Most tropical fish require 1g of water per inch, but there are 3 fish
which we provide 3g per inch, the Oscar, the Goldfish and the common
Pleco. These fish are capable of generating a lot of waste. Goldfish
get to 8" and some Plecos, around 22". Using 6" and 12" as more
representative sizes, you need 24x3 = 75g tank as a final home. If
stopping at a 20g for a while, overfilter the tank, as if it's a 40g
until they get bigger. There are many filter models to choose from. A
better bet would be to go to a 40g tank and filtering as if it's a 80g
tank. This is a combination which will last you much longer.

> I don't have any pet
> stores near me and I've searched some catalogs looking for an
economical
> small-medium sized freshwater kit, but can't seem to find what I'm
> looking for.

At 20g (200 lbs) a sturdy desk can be enough. At 30 to 40g, you should
have a designed stand for that weight IMO. Check you Pennysaver flyers
for bargain tanks.

> I guess I'll need a stand, maybe a 20-30 gal., with a three
> part filter (chemical, biological, mechanical)?

Most filters do all 3, to varying degrees:
http://faq.thekrib.com/filters.html#types

This might be useful to you, while you are there:
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html

NetMax

> Thank you for your response and your suggestions are appreciated.
> Newbie
>
>

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Thank you Mike and Netmax,
The information you both provided was indeed very helpful and
eye-opening...
Thank you Netmax for the help with the tank systems and their
alternatives...
Very grateful,
D.