Re: [GSAS-Member] Big tank suggestions

[Cory McElroy <corywmcelroy@hotmail.com>]

Hiya, Thought I'd chime in on some larger fish, as they're my passion. I love 
me some africans as well. 

Tinfoil barbs tend to be aggressive in smaller groups, say the 3-4 range, and 
generally keep to themselves 6+. Often time you can observe this behavior in 
smaller barbs like tiger barbs, once there school is large enough they don't 
mess with other tank mates. They are huge eaters much like the bala sharks. 
They have a huge appetite. They will often out compete your other tank mates 
for food. So choose your mid and top swimmers to go along with them wisely.

The thing to know about bala sharks is you're gonna scare them weekly. You'll 
send one flying into the side of your tank or decor atleast once a week.  From 
what I've experience with 8 of them 8-10 inchers. Tried several different 
lighting/decor setups to avoid this. They're known to be a skittish fish. I 
ended up rehoming mine, as they were too excitable.

Pacu have an insane growth rate. That's their down fall. They're much better 
added to a tank a year or two down the road. In the first 6 months to a year, 
if kept properly will hit 1 foot. This is fine, however alot of your other fish 
wont grow at the same rate. Also realize that you will have to literally kill 
the pacu within 5 years, or upgrade to 4 foot or larger width tank. No one will 
have a tank for him, and if they do, they already have a few pacu, or don't 
want them.

I have no experience with the crayfish in a larger tank setup, so I don't know 
how they interact with the giants.

Some other fish I will mention though that you should consider. I generally 
learn towards the more peaceful large fish. As I usually put tank busters solo 
in smaller tanks like a 150 etc.

Niger Catfish. 
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=37
They're a vacuum cleaner. They hoover the substrate for massive amounts of 
food. Very gentle towards tank mates.

Giraffe Catfish
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=149
They have the same personality as the niger catfish.

You'd have to see a video of them to fall in love with these gentle giants. Or 
so see some 2+ footer ones at aquarist world.

Flagtail Prochilodus
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137717
These guys are an algae eater, but accept pellets just as easily as well. Best 
kept solo. Some have reported success with 12+ in a school. But I've never seen 
a long term success with a school of them. They are slower growers but get 15+ 
inches.

Clown loaches. They work well with most of the larger fish and you can actually 
get a shoal of them together in a tank like this, 8-12 of them.

Giant gourami. If you're looking for a wet pet. As in a fish with a ton of 
personality. They get huge, will literally eat anything
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Osphronemus_goramy_2.php

A school of silver dollars is rarely done as well. a school of 12-24 silver 
dollars. With a combo of other fish. They grow up to about 8-10 inch disks. And 
school together.

Bichers are a nice addition to the bottom of a tank as well. Something like the 
ornate etc, gets 18 inches+.

I think one of the most important things that goes into a "monster tank" is 
what fish is going to live where. Usually you get 3 levels with a large tank, 
cause they are taller than an average tank. 

Most commonly used top fish is the arrowana.
Most commonly used mid fish are oscars, peacock bass, tinfoil barbs
Most commonly used bottom fish are clown loaches, shovelnose catfish, red tail 
catfish, stingray, bichers.

My advise is to take a lot of time and research a lot of larger fish. And ask 
questions to people who own the fish you're interested in. They can tell you 
what to watch out for. Because once you own that monster, it's very hard to 
rehome to an appropriately sized tank.

On a side note.
I also have a 110 gallon tank dedicated to fancy goldfish. Definitely in my top 
3 fish tanks I own. A lot of people don't appreciate goldfish because they 
haven't kept them in an aquarium before and seen how much personality they have 
and how big they do get. Many of the fancy varieties don't do well in a pond 
scenario either. Also a lot of goldfish information is hidden even on forums. 
One of the best basic tips, don't mix single tailed fish with fancy tailed. 
Even if the normal single tailed goldfish/shubunkin/koi doesn't harass the 
fancy goldfish, they will out compete them for food on a daily basis. Fancy 
goldfish can be very clumsy swimmers.

Also if you're gonna run a tank with goldfish check out high finned banded 
sharks. Cool water fish that looks like a loach, but isnt. Completely docile, 
that grows to 2+ feet. 

IF you have any questions about specific larger fish let me know. If I don't 
know that fish I'd love to research about it :)

> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:11:40 -0700
> From: Jesse.Doerr@fei.com
> To: gsas-member@thekrib.com
> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Big tank suggestions
> 
> So here's what I'm thinking for this tank:
> 
> Tinfoil Barbs
> Bala Sharks
> Pacus (Dinner when too big)
> And a few blue crayfish
> 
> So much for a planted tank... but I think it'll be fun.
> 
> Thanks for all the input.
> 
> Jesse 
> _______________________________________________
> GSAS-Member mailing list
> GSAS-Member@thekrib.com
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