Freshwater Tankmates #2

Apocalyptictoast · Post by **Apocalyptictoast** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:06 am

So I'm planning on moving some fish from another aquarium into a 35 gallon. They include: a 2.5 inch Pangasius catfish, a 2 inch Pineapple swordtail, a 1 inch molly, and a 2.5 inch Bala Shark. I was going to add some more fish, but I was also wondering if there is any type of freshwater puffer that would get along with these fish peacefully, in your opinion. Thanks.

Post by **RTR** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:39 am

None. Nor should the other FW smallish fish be there, nor should the Pangasius be alone or in only a 35 gallon tank.

Pangasius are large, fasst-swimming schooling fish which are extremely nervous and jumpy. Have you researched the fish at all?

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:41 am

Ok, I will try not to turn this into a rant, but what tank size are you planning on upgrading those fish to?

Do you realize that "Iridescent Sharks", or rather Pangasius hypophthalmus Catfish, grow to over 52"? That's well past what any normal home aquarist can hope to accommodate. And as for the Bala Shark, he will grow to be at least 14" and will also get much deeper as well, requiring a lot of room to swim at their natural high speeds.

The only reason I jumped on this thread so quickly was because I have adopted a poor seven-year-old ID shark and a Bala shark that have been severely stunted. These fish are such amazing and gentle creatures it is a shame they are sold in LFS's like guppies.

Now that you own them, assuming you have only the best intentions for your fish, you face the same prospects that I do: always looking for a larger tank, and hoping you'll find a home for them by the time they reach their full size and outgrow your tank. Here's a thread I posted about the stunting of my ID shark: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... ht=catfish

An eye opening site that shows their full-grown size and needs is here: planetcatfish.com http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=172

Now, I assume you didn't know that they grow so large, but now I hope that if anything you learned to be much more careful before buying fish. I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I do feel this was a worthy enough cause.

As for puffer tank mates for such large and peaceful/easy targeted fish, I would not recommend it no matter what. It's just a bad idea to introduce an aggressive and dangerous fish like a puffer into a tank with such gentle giants (and even though they aren't giant now, they will be).

Apocalyptictoast · Post by **Apocalyptictoast** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:58 am

It's actually Pangasius Sutchi. But I know, you guys are right. I already realized I made the mistake, but a 35 gallon is the biggest I have at the moment.

GSPdragon · Post by **GSPdragon** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:31 am

return
or
rehome

perek · Post by **perek** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:47 am

My feeling is that if you return it, there is always the possiblity of someone housing it in an even smaller tank and/or neglecting it. If you take good care of it then just keep it. The stuff I see at the LFS makes me sick sometimes and the fish may be better off being stunted in your tank versus dead from a neglectful 9 year old. If you can aquire a larger tank in the future than by all means keep it.

My .02.

Apocalyptictoast · Post by **Apocalyptictoast** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:39 pm

After it gets bigger in the 35 gallon I was planning on moving the catfish to my dads pond in our backyard. It's quite large, so honestly I think it will be fine.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:05 pm

careful with that some states get really fussy with the placement of non native fish in ponds. I"d make sure there is next to no way that they could make their way from the pond to a natural water way.

Thats just my two cents. I know the max size is the only thing keeping me from working with Ired sharks. I love the way they look and move but the first 500 gallon plus tank i get goes to my lungfish, Tgar and knife fish.

Jason

Post by **RTR** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 6:50 pm

IMHO, abusing a fish is never justified, nor any animal. I find it absurd that anyone would try to justify stunting a fish under their care - or even worse, suiggesting on a forum dedicated to fish care that others do so. Very bad form and very bad advice to my mind. That advice offered above is not up to TPF standards, please do not take that as allowable or accetable here, it is not..

perek · Post by **perek** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:54 pm

RTR wrote:IMHO, abusing a fish is never justified, nor any animal. I find it absurd that anyone would try to justify stunting a fish under their care - or even worse, suiggesting on a forum dedicated to fish care that others do so. Very bad form and very bad advice to my mind. That advice offered above is not up to TPF standards, please do not take that as allowable or accetable here, it is not..

Whats better a 35 gallon tank with a couple tankmates, or an overcrowed 10G holding tank at the LFS? I was'nt justifying "torture".

I saw one of these cats just the other day that someone was stocking their 20G with. They had 1 senegal bichur, irredescent shark, dwarf puffers, and a myriad of other fish. Like it or not keeping one in a 35g while cruel is still beter then its likely fate.

FOR THE LAST TIME I AM NOT CONDONING IMPROPERLY KEEPING FISH. If you dont have the means to get a proper home for a pet, then you shouldnt get it, plain and simple.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:04 pm

*ducks and runs for cover from smoldering pieces of flamage hurtling toward me*

*checks calendar* is it that time of month for a war already?....

honestly I think its a tough call between what RTR said and what Perek said.

where I wouldnt suggest going to an LFS and "saving" fish that might not go to a as good of home, I think that in a situation such as AT's or even Oralacerta's with her ID shark, keeping the fish and housing it as best you can would be the best option. although this is assuming you are already a good fishkeeper. I mean, if you do return it, is it really gonna be better off? thats a tough call for me....

hopefully this doesnt turn into TPFW I. ( the puffer forum war one)

perek · Post by **perek** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:08 pm

The Fisherman wrote:*ducks and runs for cover from smoldering pieces of flamage hurtling toward me*

*checks calendar* is it that time of month for a war already?....

I really dont want to start a war, but it seems to always happen everytime a thread like this comes up.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:12 pm

It only happens when incorrect info and conflict of opinions are brought up. This forum was created for discussion of proper husbandry of puffers as well as other fish. When the idea of animal/fish cruelty is brought up it is a very sensitive topic. Perek I know what you were saying but you have to consider that a LFS losing a fish that people wont buy will create them to stop ordering them. A fish that is being brought home to be saved will just cause the LFS to order more.

Apocalyptictoast · Post by **Apocalyptictoast** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:14 pm

The pangasius was in a 5 gallon at most with around 10-15 other fish. And yes, I regrettably didn't know how big Pangasius catfish got, but I'm trying to do the best I can.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:18 pm

Just try to keep upgrading the tank to accomodate the catfish down the line, cause thats all you can do at this point.

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Freshwater Tankmates #2

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