30G freshwater tank, what should i do???

[bmwnla]

Okay Im brand new to the forum and interested in reviving my slowly dieing tank.

Its a 30 gallon freshwater tank with lots of rocks/fake plants. I havent bought any new fish in decades so all i have left is one pretty big Bala shark, one even bigger pleco, a algae eater, and some wierd catfish that i dont understand how it survives. Anyways I used to love my fish tank but for some reason fell outta the hobby for a while and just kept the fish alive and healthy.

Anyways my most enjoyable time in the hobby was when I had my figure-8 puffer. I bought it and converted it to freshwater (my LFS told me it was okay) and it lived happily with my community tank.

I want to get another puffer, nothing brackish, that would be enjoyable like my F8

Questions-

Can I get another F8 and convert it to freshwater again?

Should I just get several dwarf puffers instead?

Any other options?

My LFS closed down is ordering live fish on the internet a really bad idea?

[groovitudedude]

First off, that Bala will need a bigger home. I have 5 of them, and they will eventually bust my 100G. Also, you might consider returning all of your fish. And 99% of this forum will flame you for the fact that F8s will die in freshwater longterm. But, in a kind response, no, you should not get another Figure 8 Puffer for your 30G. For a tank that size, I'd suggest an Auriglobus Silus or Modestus alone. Max out at about 4 inches, but if you're not that experienced, then this puffer is not for you.

If your Bala is this big, then it's a Monster. If it's 3 or less, then it's small. If it's 4-5 inches, then it's growing. If it's 6-7 inches, then it's big. If it's over 5 inches, then it will be stunted in your 30G.

Bala and 10G.jpg

Here's my A. Modestus that I used to have.

100_3052.jpg

If you want to keep Dwarf Puffers, you should get no more than 6 of them, and that's pushing it. A general rule for DP's (Dwarf Puffers) is one male to two females (as a ratio), and one puffer per 5 gallons of tank water. They are cute little suckers, but tend to chew on tankmates. Don't put them with bigger fish. Trust me, I've had a cichlid swallow one, and it wasn't a pretty site. Be sure to have your tank planted well!

100_3155.jpg

Be sure to get rid of at least your bala before getting other fish, as they are both schooling and need a tank of AT LEAST 55 Gallons for a school of 3. Also, what sizes are your catfish/ pleco/ Algae Eater? Can you post pictures so we can ID them? And I wouldn't suggest ordering online unless you are in need of a really rare fish. Good luck!

[CoreyK]

1) No puffers can really be considered good community fish - I wouldn't trust one with any of the fish you listed.
2) A 29g tank is not suitable for even one Bala shark, a common Pleco, and most likely not the algae eater or catfish (most get huge). Therefore, your tank is already overstocked, and adding any fish to it is not a good idea.

If you were to remove the current fish...
Check the pufferpedia to find information about various species of freshwater puffers - there are several that would be appropriate for a 30g tank.

Though they may venture into freshwater in nature, Figure 8's are really better suited to a brackish environment. I wouldn't recommend (likely nor will anyone on this forum) keeping them in a freshwater tank.
Several dwarf puffers would be very happy in a 30g tank.

Many have had good luck ordering fish online, including myself - just make sure it's a reputable website.

[groovitudedude]

Yeah, listen to CoreyK as well. Good stuff.

[bmwnla]

Im not sure its a bala shark anymore, it could be a tricolor shark, are they the same thing? Alright so the F8 is out. Groovit- I dont see why i would be flamed for a GSP because ive never had one.

The algae eater is around 3"
Pleco is easily 6"
Shark is 4"+
catfish is small 1.5"

If i got rid of everything but the pleco could I keep him with several dwarfs?
Hes not the active type he usually sits under his hiding spot (doesnt suck on the walls)

What makes the Auriglobus Silus and Modestus not suitable for the less knowledgable pufferfish keepers? Do they need their beaks trimmed or something?
Corey- whats a reputable online site for fish?

Im going to pufferpedia now

Thanks for the help guys it means a lot!

[groovitudedude]

Sorry edited my post- I meant Figure 8's.

And Modestus' and Silus' need their teeth trimmed more than twice a year IMO, but I only did mine once. You're luck that the bala shark (yes, it is the same thing as a tri-colored shark) is still small. Return it to any LFS ASAP before it gets to be like mine (not that I want to get rid of mine). Even an only 6'' fish is probably too big for a 30. Algae eaters are rumored to get mean and nasty, but I have a 4 incher and he's innocent, so I'll call bull on it, but I'd return him too. And DPs should do okay with a pleco, but I'm mainly concerned about the pleco's size. My pleco in my 100G is about 6.5'' as of now, so that's a pretty big one, especially for a 30G. Good luck!

[Pufferpunk]

And 99% of this forum will flame you for the fact that F8s will die in freshwater longterm.

We try not to flame anyone here.

[spoot]

Informed suggestions are not considered flaming.

[bmwnla]

Hmm thats so annoying that I have all the wrong fish hahahah. My algae eater is very innocent as well i dont know where you heard they are evil.

Ill try to return all the fish but as I said my LFS closed (it was an amazing aquarium too) so i would have to try my luck going to like a petco and giving them the fish.

I dont think I need to worry about the pleco Ive had him for years and years and years and he hasnt gotten much bigger.

My friend with a 20g tank just bought 2 tricolors should he return them as well?

Alright so after getting ride of my fish my next question is-

-More plants less rocks?

-How can I buy dwarf puffers online and make sure I get 2 Males and 4 Females or 1 Male and 5 Females???

-If I feed these guys crunchy foods can I avoid owning a snail breeding tank?

-What is a good type of rock/gravel/sand they would enjoy to put on the bottom?

[crazedpuffer]

What kind of algae eater? I'm assuming chinese algae eater? They grow large and soon will suck the slime coat off your fish. Not good
Your friend should return those fish, Theres no way 2 10 inch fish will survive in a 20 gallon tank.

Puffers like lots of plants, pictures of your tank will help us tell you if you need more or not. Honestly most places don't know, just order 6 puffers and what you get is what you get. If they are young you should not have any aggression problems at all with them throughout there whole lives.

The only thing that they really eat is bloodworms and snails, so you could feed them primarily frozen bloodworms, only about 2-4 per puffer, and get pest snails from your LPS/LFS on occasion.

The substrate is all up to you, they generally do better with Earth toned substrate so keep that in mind.

[bmwnla]

Well my friend bought em and they are only like 2-3 inches each

The algae eater started brown and now its bright yellow.....i dont know what kind it is

ill get pics of my tank + fish when I get home today and post em!!!


I could really use suggestions of online stores that sell live fish

[Agnate]

If you wanted to clear out your tank, you could also pick up an Abei puffer. They're well suited for 25-30 gallons and are neat little puffers. Mine isn't too active, but I've only had him for a week or so, and he's starting to warm up to me (especially when he thinks food is coming, hehe)!

However, if you prefer quantity, you'd probably like Dwarf Puffers more, as you can have 6 in the 30 gallon. I'd suggest lots of plants and smaller gravel. If you're up to it, you might want to consider growing live plants in your tank. It can make for a very nice and realistic setup, and helps to balance the aquarium. Just be careful with CO2 injection, as it can cause drastic fluctuations in your pH.

As for online stores, I think some people posted links under the "Links" forum, and possibly in the "Favourite Pet Stores" forum. I haven't ordered fish online, so I can't help you with that one. Sorry

[manutius]

Great advice Agnate, an abei would be great or loadsa DP's flying aboout the place , however-

Just be careful with CO2 injection, as it can cause drastic fluctuations in your pH.

this is only true if you have very soft water as there are no minerals to help buffer PH. However those on hard water areas will find it easier to dise with CO2 as far as I know

[bmwnla]

We have well water so its got good minerals, but we do have a water softener thats used on low settings.

I think ill go with the dwarf puffers, just because, they are cheap, I can have more of them, and they are supposedly easy to keep.

[dumpythepuffer]

i have 2 DP and the only other fish they can be with is my glass otto. he is more aggresive so if they try and nip him he chaces them. they have since learned to not bother at all haha

they dont grow big but they are so fun to watch zip around like bees (they are also called bumblebee puffers although its not a correct term)
you can also sex them too not like other puffers. loads of plants and decor will do...