suggestions for compatible fish

Cshenk · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

"Henry & Carolyn" wrote
> We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a
> shark. What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some kind
> of algae eaters too.

Actually, unless those angel fish are some sort of special dwarf version
that wont get bigger, your tank is already overloaded. Sorry, but they get
pretty big. You may want to think about getting a 40g sometime in the not
to terribly distant future? The shark might be a problem later too,
depending on type. I've seen a friend who had a genuine 'dwarf shark' that
never got more than 4.5 inches but he couldnt keep tetras once it got over 3
inches. Your version might be better hopefully?

If you do want to add something, I think a clown loach might work well for
the size tank. Please, no pleco's in a tank that size . Be sre to
check the adult size of the fish before getting them.
xxcarol

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>tropical>fish>hobbist

Henry & Carolyn · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a shark.
What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some kind of algae
eaters too.
TIA
Carolyn

Henry & Carolyn · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

They are some sort of dwarf, only a couple of inches at most. The shark is
growing quite a bit, but hides most of the time. That seems strange that it
would be overloaded, there's hardly any fish in it! A bigger tank isn't an
option. Not too fond of those clown loaches, too snakelike! We had a
pleco, but it died.

"Cshenk" wrote in message $os2.303@newsfe19.lga...
>
> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote
>> We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a
>> shark. What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some kind
>> of algae eaters too.
>
> Actually, unless those angel fish are some sort of special dwarf version
> that wont get bigger, your tank is already overloaded. Sorry, but they
> get pretty big. You may want to think about getting a 40g sometime in the
> not to terribly distant future? The shark might be a problem later too,
> depending on type. I've seen a friend who had a genuine 'dwarf shark'
> that never got more than 4.5 inches but he couldnt keep tetras once it got
> over 3 inches. Your version might be better hopefully?
>
> If you do want to add something, I think a clown loach might work well for
> the size tank. Please, no pleco's in a tank that size . Be sre to
> check the adult size of the fish before getting them.
> xxcarol
>
>
>

Bob · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

"Henry & Carolyn" wrote in message @corp.supernews.com...
> They are some sort of dwarf, only a couple of inches at most. The shark
> is growing quite a bit, but hides most of the time. That seems strange
> that it would be overloaded, there's hardly any fish in it! A bigger tank
> isn't an option. Not too fond of those clown loaches, too snakelike! We
> had a pleco, but it died.
>
> "Cshenk" wrote in message
> $os2.303@newsfe19.lga...
>>
>> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote
>>> We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a
>>> shark. What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some
>>> kind of algae eaters too.
>>
>> Actually, unless those angel fish are some sort of special dwarf version
>> that wont get bigger, your tank is already overloaded. Sorry, but they
>> get pretty big. You may want to think about getting a 40g sometime in
>> the not to terribly distant future? The shark might be a problem later
>> too, depending on type. I've seen a friend who had a genuine 'dwarf
>> shark' that never got more than 4.5 inches but he couldnt keep tetras
>> once it got over 3 inches. Your version might be better hopefully?
>>
>> If you do want to add something, I think a clown loach might work well
>> for the size tank. Please, no pleco's in a tank that size . Be
>> sre to check the adult size of the fish before getting them.
>> xxcarol
Carol,
With proper tank management your tank is not overloaded, and could support a
little more, at least until the fish get too large ( make sure you have a
friend that will take some of the fish off your hands if they get too
large...Petco in many places will take them to offer for adoption).. Just
make sure that you do 25% or so water changes at least every 2 weeks and
keep the gravel vacuumed. Don't overfeed, that is the biggest mistake people
make and it will foul the water quickly. I feed once a day, only what they
can eat in 2 or 3 minutes. As far as the Clown Loaches...they are not
snakelike:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach

You are mixing them up with Khuli Loaches:
http://www.fishforums.net/lofiversion/index.php/t34956.html

I have not found Clown Loaches to be very good algae eaters but they love to
feast on snails. They do get very large but they do grow very slowly and may
be hard to find in a local pet shop.

As far as algae eaters...try and find Siamese Algae eaters:
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sae.php

http://aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/algae_eater_siamese.htm

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/saes.htm

You almost never see real Siamese Algae eaters in local pet
shops...certainly not in the chain ones like PetsMart or Petco so try and
find a mom and pop tropical fish store and ask them about those.

Do not buy any "Chinese Algae" eaters as they get aggressive when they reach
adulthood, stop eating algae and will bother other fishes.

That being said...if you have an algae problem it usually indicates too high
a nitrate content in your water and/or too much light. If your tank gets
direct sunlight that will really get the algae going..so keep it away from
windows! Every tank I've ever had in over 40 years of fish keeping (
including the 72 tanks I maintain where I work) will grow some algae. My
recommendation is to physically scrub the algae off before each water
change/gravel vacuuming and feed sparingly and it won't be a big problem.
You can use scrubbing pads from a pet store or even those pot scrubbers that
are sold for non stick cookware, don't get the ones for regular pots and
pans as they are very abrasive. Be careful when you scrub the algae off that
you don't get gravel caught on the scrubbers surface as it will scratch the
glass. Those magnetic scrubbers are notorious for picking up bits of gravel
and causing scratches...stay away from them! Also water that is on the
acidic side ( PH of 6.8 or lower) will not support algae as readily. Be sure
to check your PH, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia on a regular schedule and
keep them as low as possible through frequent water changes.

I know this sounds like a lot of work...as any hobby is, but hobbyists view
this a part of the fun and the rewards are a great looking tank that your
friends will envy and properly cared for pets that will be healthy and live
long lives.

Hope this helps!
Bob

Bob · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

"Bob" wrote in message $dy4.13@newsfe06.lga...
> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote in message
> @corp.supernews.com...
>> They are some sort of dwarf, only a couple of inches at most. The shark
>> is growing quite a bit, but hides most of the time. That seems strange
>> that it would be overloaded, there's hardly any fish in it! A bigger
>> tank isn't an option. Not too fond of those clown loaches, too
>> snakelike! We had a pleco, but it died.
>>
>> "Cshenk" wrote in message
>> $os2.303@newsfe19.lga...
>>>
>>> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote
>>>> We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a
>>>> shark. What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some
>>>> kind of algae eaters too.
>>>
>>> Actually, unless those angel fish are some sort of special dwarf version
>>> that wont get bigger, your tank is already overloaded. Sorry, but they
>>> get pretty big. You may want to think about getting a 40g sometime in
>>> the not to terribly distant future? The shark might be a problem later
>>> too, depending on type. I've seen a friend who had a genuine 'dwarf
>>> shark' that never got more than 4.5 inches but he couldnt keep tetras
>>> once it got over 3 inches. Your version might be better hopefully?
>>>
>>> If you do want to add something, I think a clown loach might work well
>>> for the size tank. Please, no pleco's in a tank that size . Be
>>> sre to check the adult size of the fish before getting them.
>>> xxcarol
> Carol,
> With proper tank management your tank is not overloaded, and could support
> a little more, at least until the fish get too large ( make sure you have
> a friend that will take some of the fish off your hands if they get too
> large...Petco in many places will take them to offer for adoption).. Just
> make sure that you do 25% or so water changes at least every 2 weeks and
> keep the gravel vacuumed. Don't overfeed, that is the biggest mistake
> people make and it will foul the water quickly. I feed once a day, only
> what they can eat in 2 or 3 minutes. As far as the Clown Loaches...they
> are not snakelike:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach
>
> You are mixing them up with Khuli Loaches:
> http://www.fishforums.net/lofiversion/index.php/t34956.html
>
> I have not found Clown Loaches to be very good algae eaters but they love
> to feast on snails. They do get very large but they do grow very slowly
> and may be hard to find in a local pet shop.
>
> As far as algae eaters...try and find Siamese Algae eaters:
> http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sae.php
>
> http://aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/algae_eater_siamese.htm
>
> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/saes.htm
>
> You almost never see real Siamese Algae eaters in local pet
> shops...certainly not in the chain ones like PetsMart or Petco so try and
> find a mom and pop tropical fish store and ask them about those.
>
> Do not buy any "Chinese Algae" eaters as they get aggressive when they
> reach adulthood, stop eating algae and will bother other fishes.
>
> That being said...if you have an algae problem it usually indicates too
> high a nitrate content in your water and/or too much light. If your tank
> gets direct sunlight that will really get the algae going..so keep it away
> from windows! Every tank I've ever had in over 40 years of fish keeping
> ( including the 72 tanks I maintain where I work) will grow some algae. My
> recommendation is to physically scrub the algae off before each water
> change/gravel vacuuming and feed sparingly and it won't be a big problem.
> You can use scrubbing pads from a pet store or even those pot scrubbers
> that are sold for non stick cookware, don't get the ones for regular pots
> and pans as they are very abrasive. Be careful when you scrub the algae
> off that you don't get gravel caught on the scrubbers surface as it will
> scratch the glass. Those magnetic scrubbers are notorious for picking up
> bits of gravel and causing scratches...stay away from them! Also water
> that is on the acidic side ( PH of 6.8 or lower) will not support algae as
> readily. Be sure to check your PH, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia on a
> regular schedule and keep them as low as possible through frequent water
> changes.
>
> I know this sounds like a lot of work...as any hobby is, but hobbyists
> view this a part of the fun and the rewards are a great looking tank that
> your friends will envy and properly cared for pets that will be healthy
> and live long lives.
>
> Hope this helps!
> Bob

I guess I went off topic from the original question posted here! If you want
to add a couple of tank mates...until your Angel Fish get larger that
is...Platys or Mollies are usually recommended as suitable. I have a friend
that 3 rather large Angels in a 29 gallon tank along with a few Silver
Lyretail Mollies and they do just fine together. Proper adequate filtration
is a must if you are to succeed also with the Angels ( there's no such thing
as "overkill" when it comes to filtration IMHO) . I haven't heard of "dwarf"
Angels though so be careful - if they are not you will need more room as
they grow, as the first answer the other poster gave. If they outgrow the
tank you shouldn't have much trouble finding them a new home as large Angels
are not common at fish stores and any of them might be glad to receive them
and find a good home for them for you !
Bob

Cshenk · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

> Carol,
> With proper tank management your tank is not overloaded, and could support
> a little more, at least until the fish get too large ( make sure you have
> a friend that will take some of the fish off your hands if they get too
> large...Petco in many places will take them to offer for adoption).. Just
> make sure that you do 25% or so water changes at least every 2 weeks and
> keep the gravel vacuumed. Don't overfeed, that is the biggest mistake
> people make and it will foul the water quickly. I feed once a day, only
> what they

Opps, overchopped. Anyways, thanks Bob bit that's Henry and Carolyn's 29G
tank with 3 angelfish, a shark, and looking for more. Angel fish get to 8
inches. Sharks vary with type but most I am familiar with get to 11.

My 70G tall can take the 3 angel fish but it's too thin for the shark to be
able to turn around comfortably once full grown.
xxcarol.

Henry & Carolyn · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

Thanks for all the tips! We haven't had much luck with Platys or Mollies.
The Clown Loach looks cool, but I'm afraid will get too big and we really
need something to clean the algae. It's not in a very well lit location, so
I don't think sunlight is the problem.

"Bob" wrote in message $dy4.32@newsfe06.lga...
> "Bob" wrote in message
> $dy4.13@newsfe06.lga...
>> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote in message
>> @corp.supernews.com...
>>> They are some sort of dwarf, only a couple of inches at most. The shark
>>> is growing quite a bit, but hides most of the time. That seems strange
>>> that it would be overloaded, there's hardly any fish in it! A bigger
>>> tank isn't an option. Not too fond of those clown loaches, too
>>> snakelike! We had a pleco, but it died.
>>>
>>> "Cshenk" wrote in message
>>> $os2.303@newsfe19.lga...
>>>>
>>>> "Henry & Carolyn" wrote
>>>>> We have a 29 gallon tank with 3 small angelfish, 3 neon tetras, and a
>>>>> shark. What would you recommend to go with these fish. We need some
>>>>> kind of algae eaters too.
>>>>
>>>> Actually, unless those angel fish are some sort of special dwarf
>>>> version that wont get bigger, your tank is already overloaded. Sorry,
>>>> but they get pretty big. You may want to think about getting a 40g
>>>> sometime in the not to terribly distant future? The shark might be a
>>>> problem later too, depending on type. I've seen a friend who had a
>>>> genuine 'dwarf shark' that never got more than 4.5 inches but he
>>>> couldnt keep tetras once it got over 3 inches. Your version might be
>>>> better hopefully?
>>>>
>>>> If you do want to add something, I think a clown loach might work well
>>>> for the size tank. Please, no pleco's in a tank that size . Be
>>>> sre to check the adult size of the fish before getting them.
>>>> xxcarol
>> Carol,
>> With proper tank management your tank is not overloaded, and could
>> support a little more, at least until the fish get too large ( make sure
>> you have a friend that will take some of the fish off your hands if they
>> get too large...Petco in many places will take them to offer for
>> adoption).. Just make sure that you do 25% or so water changes at least
>> every 2 weeks and keep the gravel vacuumed. Don't overfeed, that is the
>> biggest mistake people make and it will foul the water quickly. I feed
>> once a day, only what they can eat in 2 or 3 minutes. As far as the Clown
>> Loaches...they are not snakelike:
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach
>>
>> You are mixing them up with Khuli Loaches:
>> http://www.fishforums.net/lofiversion/index.php/t34956.html
>>
>> I have not found Clown Loaches to be very good algae eaters but they love
>> to feast on snails. They do get very large but they do grow very slowly
>> and may be hard to find in a local pet shop.
>>
>> As far as algae eaters...try and find Siamese Algae eaters:
>> http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_sae.php
>>
>> http://aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/algae_eater_siamese.htm
>>
>> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/saes.htm
>>
>> You almost never see real Siamese Algae eaters in local pet
>> shops...certainly not in the chain ones like PetsMart or Petco so try and
>> find a mom and pop tropical fish store and ask them about those.
>>
>> Do not buy any "Chinese Algae" eaters as they get aggressive when they
>> reach adulthood, stop eating algae and will bother other fishes.
>>
>> That being said...if you have an algae problem it usually indicates too
>> high a nitrate content in your water and/or too much light. If your tank
>> gets direct sunlight that will really get the algae going..so keep it
>> away from windows! Every tank I've ever had in over 40 years of fish
>> keeping ( including the 72 tanks I maintain where I work) will grow some
>> algae. My recommendation is to physically scrub the algae off before each
>> water change/gravel vacuuming and feed sparingly and it won't be a big
>> problem. You can use scrubbing pads from a pet store or even those pot
>> scrubbers that are sold for non stick cookware, don't get the ones for
>> regular pots and pans as they are very abrasive. Be careful when you
>> scrub the algae off that you don't get gravel caught on the scrubbers
>> surface as it will scratch the glass. Those magnetic scrubbers are
>> notorious for picking up bits of gravel and causing scratches...stay away
>> from them! Also water that is on the acidic side ( PH of 6.8 or lower)
>> will not support algae as readily. Be sure to check your PH, nitrites,
>> nitrates and ammonia on a regular schedule and keep them as low as
>> possible through frequent water changes.
>>
>> I know this sounds like a lot of work...as any hobby is, but hobbyists
>> view this a part of the fun and the rewards are a great looking tank that
>> your friends will envy and properly cared for pets that will be healthy
>> and live long lives.
>>
>> Hope this helps!
>> Bob
>
> I guess I went off topic from the original question posted here! If you
> want to add a couple of tank mates...until your Angel Fish get larger that
> is...Platys or Mollies are usually recommended as suitable. I have a
> friend that 3 rather large Angels in a 29 gallon tank along with a few
> Silver Lyretail Mollies and they do just fine together. Proper adequate
> filtration is a must if you are to succeed also with the Angels ( there's
> no such thing as "overkill" when it comes to filtration IMHO) . I haven't
> heard of "dwarf" Angels though so be careful - if they are not you will
> need more room as they grow, as the first answer the other poster gave. If
> they outgrow the tank you shouldn't have much trouble finding them a new
> home as large Angels are not common at fish stores and any of them might
> be glad to receive them and find a good home for them for you !
> Bob
>

Cshenk · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

"Henry & Carolyn" wrote in message @corp.supernews.com...
> Thanks for all the tips! We haven't had much luck with Platys or Mollies.
> The Clown Loach looks cool, but I'm afraid will get too big and we really
> need something to clean the algae. It's not in a very well lit location,
> so I don't think sunlight is the problem.

Sorry, yuou are right on the clown loach. I mixed it with a dwarf version
of algae eater by accident.

There's another solution that might be optimal for your tank needs.
Everyone gets a little algae. A little is a sign of a healthy tank actually
.

Now, careful to get only 1 as they breed well, but try getting one snail?
Then after a 3 week period, if you think you need another, get one of a
totally differnt type that can't breed with the first one. Once the tank is
clear, remember to add an algae waifer every week or so for them. Chances
are even if you get a pregnant one by accident, the fish types you have will
eat the eggs before they spawn. I'm thinking the shark will take'em out.

Possible idea? Another idea I saw was in the chinese algae eater group, and
one version was smaller, at about 6 inches total. Not sure how hard they
are to find and I'd have to web search the name again.
xxcarol