Can some experts comment on my setup/fish?

Hi all, I have a 22 gallon tank with the following fish:

2 x Silver Shark
1 x Rainbow Shark
1 x Swordtail
4 x Corydoras Catfish
1 x Siamese Algae Eater
6 x Neon Tetras
2 x Clown Loach
3 x Golden Barbs
2 x Tiger Barbs

Can anyone comment on the number of fish and the general mixture? I would
like to get more but realise I may be approaching the limit. If I do get
more they will likely be more of the same species (I'd like more clown loach
and maybe more tetras). The tank has been running about 5 weeks now, adding
around 6 fish a week starting with the tetras. I lost all of the first 6
tetras I put in, the 6 that went in to replace them have been fine! Apart
from that I lost a silver shark a few weeks ago but the rest seem fine.

Everyone seemed to get along until I added the tiger barbs a few days ago,
they seem very aggressive towards everything else in the tank, especially
the rainbow shark. Researching on the Net I read that tiger barbs like to be
kept in large groups, would this make them calm down a bit?

Thanks for any input,
Dan

[RedForeman ©®]

|| Hi all, I have a 22 gallon tank with the following fish:
||
|| 2 x Silver Shark
|| 1 x Rainbow Shark
|| 1 x Swordtail
|| 4 x Corydoras Catfish
|| 1 x Siamese Algae Eater
|| 6 x Neon Tetras
|| 2 x Clown Loach
|| 3 x Golden Barbs
|| 2 x Tiger Barbs
||
|| Can anyone comment on the number of fish and the general mixture? I
|| would like to get more but realise I may be approaching the limit.
|| If I do get more they will likely be more of the same species (I'd
|| like more clown loach and maybe more tetras). The tank has been
|| running about 5 weeks now, adding around 6 fish a week starting with
|| the tetras. I lost all of the first 6 tetras I put in, the 6 that
|| went in to replace them have been fine! Apart from that I lost a
|| silver shark a few weeks ago but the rest seem fine.
||
|| Everyone seemed to get along until I added the tiger barbs a few
|| days ago, they seem very aggressive towards everything else in the
|| tank, especially the rainbow shark. Researching on the Net I read
|| that tiger barbs like to be kept in large groups, would this make
|| them calm down a bit?
||
|| Thanks for any input,
|| Dan

In my opinion, you're at, or over your limit as it is... If you took out the
Clowns you'd be able to add 2-3 more tigers, but if you added more tigers,
you'll end up having too many fish, too much pollution, and even some
deaths... If your shark is being harassed, you have to decide is it worth
the fish dying for you to be happy with your selection?

We could go on for hours about it, but hey, it's your tank...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[Toni]

<a> wrote in message
...
> Can anyone comment on the number of fish and the general mixture? I would
> like to get more but realise I may be approaching the limit.



Dan- you passed the limit long ago.


--
Toni

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> || Hi all, I have a 22 gallon tank with the following fish:
> ||
> || 2 x Silver Shark
> || 1 x Rainbow Shark
> || 1 x Swordtail
> || 4 x Corydoras Catfish
> || 1 x Siamese Algae Eater
> || 6 x Neon Tetras
> || 2 x Clown Loach
> || 3 x Golden Barbs
> || 2 x Tiger Barbs
> ||
> || Can anyone comment on the number of fish and the general mixture? I
> || would like to get more but realise I may be approaching the limit.
> || If I do get more they will likely be more of the same species (I'd
> || like more clown loach and maybe more tetras). The tank has been
> || running about 5 weeks now, adding around 6 fish a week starting with
> || the tetras. I lost all of the first 6 tetras I put in, the 6 th
> || went in to replace them have been fine! Apart from that I lost a
> || silver shark a few weeks ago but the rest seem fine.
> ||
> || Everyone seemed to get along until I added the tiger barbs a few
> || days ago, they seem very aggressive towards everything else in the
> || tank, especially the rainbow shark. Researching on the Net I read
> || that tiger barbs like to be kept in large groups, would this make
> || them calm down a bit?
> ||
> || Thanks for any input,
> || Dan
>
> In my opinion, you're at, or over your limit as it is... If you took out
the
> Clowns you'd be able to add 2-3 more tigers, but if you added more tigers,
> you'll end up having too many fish, too much pollution, and even some
> deaths... If your shark is being harassed, you have to decide is it worth
> the fish dying for you to be happy with your selection?
>
> We could go on for hours about it, but hey, it's your tank...

Well I thought I might be getting near my limit, but not already over it.
The neons, corys are pretty small fish so I thought I was ok. Every time I
buy fish I go through with the people at the shop what I have in the tank, I
was told the tiger barbs should be fine with a small chance of them not
liking the neons. As it is, they seem least bothered about the neons. In
terms of size I'm most worried about the silver sharks, I will put my hands
up to not realising quite how big they can get. Is there any chance of them
being happy in a 22gal tank or should I donate them to someone else now? I
understand the rainbow shark won't grow as big (more like 6 inches).
Pollution wise I'm doing regular water checks and everything seems to be ok
at the moment.

Cheers,
Dan

"Toni" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> <a> wrote in message
> ...
> > Can anyone comment on the number of fish and the general mixture? I
would
> > like to get more but realise I may be approaching the limit.
>
>
>
> Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
>
>
> --
> Toni

Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy it's
certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the silver sharks as I
was not aware how big they get (completely my fault for not researching). I
may take them out and donate them to a larger tank somewhere if I hear
that's what I need to do. As I said in another post, I thought I would be
alright given that a lot of the fish are small species (neons and corys
especially).

Best,
Dan

[RedForeman ©®]

||| Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
||| --
||| Toni
|| Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy it's
|| certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the silver
|| sharks as I was not aware how big they get (completely my fault for
|| not researching). I may take them out and donate them to a larger
|| tank somewhere if I hear that's what I need to do. As I said in
|| another post, I thought I would be alright given that a lot of the
|| fish are small species (neons and corys especially).

Exactly what you said when you said they are in their infancy, meaning they
are only going to get bigger... get it?

If, just for kicks, all your fish were 1 inch, you've got 22 inches
already... When they grow up, and I can guarantee the clowns and shark will
grow much bigger than you anticipate, but maybe not for a few months, you'll
be giving fish away, or they'll be dying from increased pollution, POOP..
which will cause stress, which in turn will cause death...

It's a bit too simple to follow the 1" per gallon rule.. you must, you must
consider their adult size, not their "infancy" size...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> ||| Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
> ||| --
> ||| Toni
> || Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy it's
> || certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the silver
> || sharks as I was not aware how big they get (completely my fault for
> || not researching). I may take them out and donate them to a larger
> || tank somewhere if I hear that's what I need to do. As I said in
> || another post, I thought I would be alright given that a lot of the
> || fish are small species (neons and corys especially).
>
> Exactly what you said when you said they are in their infancy, meaning
they
> are only going to get bigger... get it?
>
> If, just for kicks, all your fish were 1 inch, you've got 22 inches
> already... When they grow up, and I can guarantee the clowns and shark
will
> grow much bigger than you anticipate, but maybe not for a few months,
you'll
> be giving fish away, or they'll be dying from increased pollution, POOP..
> which will cause stress, which in turn will cause death...

Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was slightly
overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more before buying. This
site http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have 36" of
fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I expect
I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very small (<3"
currently) and monitor the situation.

[RedForeman ©®]

|| "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
|||||| Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
|||||| --
|||||| Toni
||||| Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy
||||| it's certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the
||||| silver sharks as I was not aware how big they get (completely my
||||| fault for not researching). I may take them out and donate them
||||| to a larger tank somewhere if I hear that's what I need to do. As
||||| I said in another post, I thought I would be alright given that a
||||| lot of the fish are small species (neons and corys especially).
|||
||| Exactly what you said when you said they are in their infancy,
||| meaning they are only going to get bigger... get it?
|||
||| If, just for kicks, all your fish were 1 inch, you've got 22 inches
||| already... When they grow up, and I can guarantee the clowns and
||| shark will grow much bigger than you anticipate, but maybe not for
||| a few months, you'll be giving fish away, or they'll be dying from
||| increased pollution, POOP.. which will cause stress, which in turn
||| will cause death...
||
|| Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
|| slightly overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more
|| before buying. This site
|| http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have 36"
|| of fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I
|| expect I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very
|| small (<3" currently) and monitor the situation.

If you 'donated' the sharks, you'll give yourself a bit of time before
having to donate the clowns, or upgrade to a bigger tank, which is basically
what any aquarist will advise... just get another tank, bigger of course,
and move the sharks over(*as long as it's a 'long' tank*) otherwise, you'll
be in the same boat again...
--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[luminos]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> || "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> |||||| Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
> |||||| --
> |||||| Toni
> ||||| Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy
> ||||| it's certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the
> ||||| silver sharks as I was not aware how big they get (completely my
> ||||| fault for not researching). I may take them out and donate them
> ||||| to a larger tank somewhere if I hear that's what I need to do. As
> ||||| I said in another post, I thought I would be alright given that a
> ||||| lot of the fish are small species (neons and corys especially).
> |||
> ||| Exactly what you said when you said they are in their infancy,
> ||| meaning they are only going to get bigger... get it?
> |||
> ||| If, just for kicks, all your fish were 1 inch, you've got 22 inches
> ||| already... When they grow up, and I can guarantee the clowns and
> ||| shark will grow much bigger than you anticipate, but maybe not for
> ||| a few months, you'll be giving fish away, or they'll be dying from
> ||| increased pollution, POOP.. which will cause stress, which in turn
> ||| will cause death...
> ||
> || Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
> || slightly overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more
> || before buying. This site
> || http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have 36"
> || of fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I
> || expect I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very
> || small (<3" currently) and monitor the situation.
>
> If you 'donated' the sharks, you'll give yourself a bit of time before
> having to donate the clowns, or upgrade to a bigger tank, which is
basically
> what any aquarist will advise... just get another tank, bigger of course,
> and move the sharks over(*as long as it's a 'long' tank*) otherwise,
you'll
> be in the same boat again...
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>
>

He will have a *lot* of time before the clowns crowd.

[Toni]

<a> wrote in message
...
>
> Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
slightly
> overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more before buying.
This
> site http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have 36"
of
> fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I expect
> I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very small (<3"
> currently) and monitor the situation.
>
>


Sadly- there is no forumla, no inch per gallon rule, and no chart which can
take into account every aspect that needs to be considered when stocking a
tank.
First, stock with adult size in mind. Then consider temperature, pH, and
hardness compatability. Then understand that protein eaters poop dirtier
than plant eaters. Then there are fish that need to be kept in groups to be
happy. Nippy fish don't work well with long finned fish. Very active fish
disturb calmer, slower movers. Many sucker-mouthed fish should not be kept
with flat fish. And there is lots more.

The only way to even begin to get things right is to research each species
individually.
Sometimes we buy just because we are excited at finding a beautiful new
species- I find that taking a reference book with me in the car is a really
great way to combat this. If I see something I can't live without I can duck
out to the car and read up on it before committing to its care.

And- *never* trust your LFS advise unless you have years worth of confidence
in dealing with them.
Oftentimes the clerks know less than the newbies.


--
Toni

[JazzyB]

I agree with Red. Adult size should be your yardstick... unless you plan on
purchasing an additional or larger tank shortly. Even then you still have
to consider the adult size as that's what they end up becoming.
"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> ||| Dan- you passed the limit long ago.
> ||| --
> ||| Toni
> || Can you be any more specific? Given that they're all in infancy it's
> || certainly not overcrowded at the moment, my worry is the silver
> || sharks as I was not aware how big they get (completely my fault for
> || not researching). I may take them out and donate them to a larger
> || tank somewhere if I hear that's what I need to do. As I said in
> || another post, I thought I would be alright given that a lot of the
> || fish are small species (neons and corys especially).
>
> Exactly what you said when you said they are in their infancy, meaning
they
> are only going to get bigger... get it?
>
> If, just for kicks, all your fish were 1 inch, you've got 22 inches
> already... When they grow up, and I can guarantee the clowns and shark
will
> grow much bigger than you anticipate, but maybe not for a few months,
you'll
> be giving fish away, or they'll be dying from increased pollution, POOP..
> which will cause stress, which in turn will cause death...
>
> It's a bit too simple to follow the 1" per gallon rule.. you must, you
must
> consider their adult size, not their "infancy" size...
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>
>

[Sue]

> > || Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
> > || slightly overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more
> > || before buying. This site
> > || http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have 36"
> > || of fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I
Lets see;-
2 x Silver Shark 28"
1 x Rainbow Shark 6"
1 x Swordtail 3"
4 x Corydoras Catfish 8" depends on species, could be 12-14"
1 x Siamese Algae Eater 6"
6 x Neon Tetras 9"
2 x Clown Loach 24"
3 x Golden Barbs 12"
2 x Tiger Barbs 5"

I make that potentially 101" of fish! working on reasonable adult sizes.
Some could go bigger.

The tank is too small for a silver sharks, SAE, Rainbow shark, clown
loaches.

When are you buying the 6' tank?

"Sue" > wrote in message
...
>
> > > || Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
> > > || slightly overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more
> > > || before buying. This site
> > > || http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have
36"
> > > || of fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation.
I
> Lets see;-
> 2 x Silver Shark 28"
> 1 x Rainbow Shark 6"
> 1 x Swordtail 3"
> 4 x Corydoras Catfish 8" depends on species, could be 12-14"
> 1 x Siamese Algae Eater 6"
> 6 x Neon Tetras 9"
> 2 x Clown Loach 24"
> 3 x Golden Barbs 12"
> 2 x Tiger Barbs 5"
>
> I make that potentially 101" of fish! working on reasonable adult sizes.
> Some could go bigger.
>
> The tank is too small for a silver sharks, SAE, Rainbow shark, clown
> loaches.
>
> When are you buying the 6' tank?

Hmm when you put it like that...

I read that the clown loach only normally grow to 6" in captivity and
virtually never reach anything like a foot. Also I have 3" as the length for
the golden barb. I take your point though, I guess your figures are worst
(or best?) case scenarios. If I take the silver sharks out now I should be
getting to something approaching the right level. Obviously as I said before
I will have to monitor the situation but calculating by inches can't be
hugely accurate, eg. a slim fish like the Siamese must produce less waste
than a big fat Cichlid of the same length?

Cheers,
Dan

"Toni" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> <a> wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
> slightly
> > overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more before buying.
> This
> > site http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have
36"
> of
> > fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I expect
> > I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very small (<3"
> > currently) and monitor the situation.
> >
> >
>
>
> Sadly- there is no forumla, no inch per gallon rule, and no chart which
can
> take into account every aspect that needs to be considered when stocking a
> tank.
> First, stock with adult size in mind. Then consider temperature, pH, and
> hardness compatability. Then understand that protein eaters poop dirtier
> than plant eaters. Then there are fish that need to be kept in groups to
be
> happy. Nippy fish don't work well with long finned fish. Very active fish
> disturb calmer, slower movers. Many sucker-mouthed fish should not be kept
> with flat fish. And there is lots more.
>
> The only way to even begin to get things right is to research each species
> individually.
> Sometimes we buy just because we are excited at finding a beautiful new
> species- I find that taking a reference book with me in the car is a
really
> great way to combat this. If I see something I can't live without I can
duck
> out to the car and read up on it before committing to its care.
>
> And- *never* trust your LFS advise unless you have years worth of
confidence
> in dealing with them.
> Oftentimes the clerks know less than the newbies.

Thanks Toni, I'm hoping removing the silver sharks will sort things out but
if necessary the rainbow will have to come out too. Bit dissapointed in the
fish store as I make a point of telling them every time exactly what I
already have in the tank and the tank size. As you say though, being a big
chain store most of the staff probably know very little in reality.

Cheers,
Dan

[luminos]

http://malawicichlids.com/mw01019.htm

<a> wrote in message
...
> "Sue" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > > > || Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I
was
> > > > || slightly overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more
> > > > || before buying. This site
> > > > || http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have
> 36"
> > > > || of fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same
calculation.
> I
> > Lets see;-
> > 2 x Silver Shark 28"
> > 1 x Rainbow Shark 6"
> > 1 x Swordtail 3"
> > 4 x Corydoras Catfish 8" depends on species, could be 12-14"
> > 1 x Siamese Algae Eater 6"
> > 6 x Neon Tetras 9"
> > 2 x Clown Loach 24"
> > 3 x Golden Barbs 12"
> > 2 x Tiger Barbs 5"
> >
> > I make that potentially 101" of fish! working on reasonable adult
sizes.
> > Some could go bigger.
> >
> > The tank is too small for a silver sharks, SAE, Rainbow shark, clown
> > loaches.
> >
> > When are you buying the 6' tank?
>
> Hmm when you put it like that...
>
> I read that the clown loach only normally grow to 6" in captivity and
> virtually never reach anything like a foot. Also I have 3" as the length
for
> the golden barb. I take your point though, I guess your figures are worst
> (or best?) case scenarios. If I take the silver sharks out now I should be
> getting to something approaching the right level. Obviously as I said
before
> I will have to monitor the situation but calculating by inches can't be
> hugely accurate, eg. a slim fish like the Siamese must produce less waste
> than a big fat Cichlid of the same length?
>
> Cheers,
> Dan
>
>
>

[Sue]

"luminos" >

> http://malawicichlids.com/mw01019.htm

An excellent find ( & people think I advocate big tanks!)
Thanks
Sue

[Sue]

>calculating by inches can't be
> hugely accurate, eg. a slim fish like the Siamese must produce less waste
> than a big fat Cichlid of the same length?
>
> Cheers,
> Dan
>
True! Thats why the recommendations for heavy bodied fish, e.g. Oscars &
goldfish start at 3 gallons per inch and sometimes suggest + ten gallons.
Eg. a six inch Oscar needs forty gallons MINIMUM.

These are guidelines. With practice, plants & meticulous attention to
conditions, experienced aquarists can exceed these in larger tanks with
good, mature, filtration.

I've had clown loaches grow past ten inches in my tanks - took twelve years
from 3" and they continued to grow and were still alive five years ago when
I visited the public aquarium I gave them to during a house move. They had
only grown to just past a foot in the intervening ten years.

[Dick]

On Fri, 14 May 2004 00:57:06 +0100, <a> wrote:

>"Toni" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>>
>> <a> wrote in message
>> ...
>> >
>> > Yeah, that's why I'm asking *now* before they grow. Obviously I was
>> slightly
>> > overenthusiastic and should have checked stuff out more before buying.
>> This
>> > site http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/tanks-uk.htm reckons I can have
>36"
>> of
>> > fish in my tank, and a lot of others have the same calculation. I expect
>> > I'll take the silver sharks out now while they're still very small (<3"
>> > currently) and monitor the situation.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> Sadly- there is no forumla, no inch per gallon rule, and no chart which
>can
>> take into account every aspect that needs to be considered when stocking a
>> tank.
>> First, stock with adult size in mind. Then consider temperature, pH, and
>> hardness compatability. Then understand that protein eaters poop dirtier
>> than plant eaters. Then there are fish that need to be kept in groups to
>be
>> happy. Nippy fish don't work well with long finned fish. Very active fish
>> disturb calmer, slower movers. Many sucker-mouthed fish should not be kept
>> with flat fish. And there is lots more.
>>
>> The only way to even begin to get things right is to research each species
>> individually.
>> Sometimes we buy just because we are excited at finding a beautiful new
>> species- I find that taking a reference book with me in the car is a
>really
>> great way to combat this. If I see something I can't live without I can
>duck
>> out to the car and read up on it before committing to its care.
>>
>> And- *never* trust your LFS advise unless you have years worth of
>confidence
>> in dealing with them.
>> Oftentimes the clerks know less than the newbies.
>
>Thanks Toni, I'm hoping removing the silver sharks will sort things out but
>if necessary the rainbow will have to come out too. Bit dissapointed in the
>fish store as I make a point of telling them every time exactly what I
>already have in the tank and the tank size. As you say though, being a big
>chain store most of the staff probably know very little in reality.
>
>Cheers,
>Dan
>

You now have an excuse to add more and bigger tanks to your living
space.

I have 20 SAEs and 12 Clown Loaches in my tanks. I got enthusiastic
over the Clowns and a generous internet fish store sent me extra SAEs.
I have maxed out my fish tank space with 5 tanks, so I hope my fish
don't max out in length, take long enough to grow so as to outlive the
other fish which I will not replace or I die first and leave the
problem to my heirs.

I do enjoy the Clowns and SAE. What started as a scavenger hunt has
turned into a love affair. I have 9 SAEs in my 75 gallon tank, they
surround my arm when I am trimming my plants and nibble. This doesn't
happen in my other tanks, nibbling that is, I do trim the other tank's
plants. :-)

Do you have plans to move to larger digs soon? Aren't fish wonderful?

[NetMax]

"Sue" > wrote in message
...
>
> "luminos" >
>
> > http://malawicichlids.com/mw01019.htm
>
> An excellent find ( & people think I advocate big tanks!)
> Thanks
> Sue

Nice article. My own take on the subject:
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/stocking/stocking.shtml

We become victims of our own success. The longer we are in the hobby (or
the driving factors to get more/bigger tanks).....
i) the older and bigger our fish grow (need bigger tanks).
ii) the more we discover fish we want to add to our collection
iii) the more we appreciate the subtle niceties of keeping lower stocking
levels.
iv) the more the fish breed (need more tanks)
v) the more exotic the species (more tanks to isolate them)

imo, the limiting factors to aquariums are:
i) money (though some of the nicest fishrooms I've seen were with people
who were certainly not wealthy)
ii) wall space to put them
iii) floor loading
iv) spouse and
v) maintenance.
Until you hit one of these constraints, you might just continue upsizing
and adding tanks non-stop.

I think everyone can relate to at least one of the constraints mentioned.
In my case, I ran out of room. At home, I have too many windows. At
work (I operate a fish-room for an LFS), a day does not go by that I
don't wish that I had just one or two more tanks, to add to the 108 I
have stocked. Be very afraid, you have been warned ;~)
--
www.NetMax.tk