Fresh Water Fish Transplante?

[Phatty Phish]

Hi,

I recently inherited a freshwater fish tank and serveral beautiful koi carp and two orandas, and apparantly a algae eater? but that has yet to show its fins.

Im completely new to the aquarium game and need a few pointers and guidance. Ive taken the usual books and internet crash course, and i think i have most of it sussed.

Now then heres the tricky part. The misses, whom just happens to be 6 months pregnant, now rules the roost and she wants a Tropical tank.

Would my present fish take to a tropical tank, is there a procedure of gradually raising the temp or something? And equally as important will the tropical fish survive, i.e. not becoming the victims of cannabalisation.

Thanks
Aran aka Phatty Phish

 

[RogerMcAllen]

First off, how big is your tank?

Secondly, they would not do well in a tropical tank. You can either have goldfish or tropical, not both. As far as eating, it would take a fairly large goldfish, maybe 8" to eat a small tetra.

 

[Xenos]

Tropical tank does not mean you need a heater. There are cold water and warm water aquariums. Start with a cold, they are easier to maintain. Tetras, Barbs, Gourami, Mollies, and Platies do well in a cold water aquarium. Warm water fish are more delicate and monitoring the temp is vital. Heaters are also made of glass and easy for a newbie to forget about and break during water changes. Your lfs should be able to help.

 

[Xenos]

Carp and Orandas (goldfish), create too much waste. They can tolerate much high levels of ammonia than most tropical. Your goldfish will literally poison your tropical.

 

[Phatty Phish]

Im getting a mixed reponse here....

will Tetras, Barbs, Gourami, Mollies, and Platies be happy in my coldwater with te high levels of ammonia caused by the waste from my Carp and orandas?

My tank is 36 x 15 x 18 inches. I have 2 fluval 104 filters, each capable of handling a 90 litre tank, i think. Also have two bubbly thingies.

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[Allivymar]

You prob don't want other fishies in with the goldies and plec. Those 2 are the KINGS of dirty fish. By that I don't mean fish porno LOL but both species give off lots of waste (both poo and ammonia). Other fish may have a hard time unless you are extremely diligent about water changes and, heh, with a very pregnant wife you have other things to do then water change all the time.

What about starting a second tank (ahhh...the voice of an MTS sufferer LOL)? Then you can have the benefit of a coldwater and a warmwater tank and enjoy the beauty of both. I run 2 tropical tanks; one contains angelfish, loaches and a plec (and i am forever gravel vaccuming), the other has 2 dwarf gouramis and will also contain cory catfish and cardinal neons when its finished. Tropical tanks are no more difficult to maintain. Might make a lovely gift for a preg wife as well *hint hint*

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Have your wife dig a hole in your backyard and start a pond. If not, you are out of luck because tropical will not mix well with carp/goldfish with any amount of filtration.

 

[Guest]

Tropical tank does not mean you need a heater. There are cold water and warm water aquariums. Start with a cold, they are easier to maintain. Tetras, Barbs, Gourami, Mollies, and Platies do well in a cold water aquarium.

Excuse me Xenos? none of those fish will do well in a cold water tank! They are all from tropical/subtropical climates originally. You go below 70 F, and they are going to die, either directly from the cold, or from disease.

Xenos, you live in Florida, perhaps you could get away with a room temp. tank with those species of fish, but Phatty here is from the U.K., far different climate!

However, I agree with most of what else has been posted, not a good idea to mix tropical with goldfish.

Also, Phatty, the Koi especially, will soon out grow any tank, they are pond fish, and eventually will need to go in a pond, or a HUGE tank.

My suggestion, trade in your present fish to the lfs, and get some tropical fish, you don't want to annoy your wife, especially when she's pregnant!

 

[Xenos]

Corvuscorax is right. I forgot I live in Florida which has a tropical climate. Here we consider anything that doesn't need a heater, cold water...but I'm guessing in contrast to your climate it is not cold. The only thing we use heaters for down here are things like Discus, angels, ect. I'll check locations next time.

 

[Phatty Phish]

thanks ppl

It looks like i have found a home in a friends pond for my cold water fish, now im gunning for the tropical.

Ive got the tank setup sussed thanks to the fantastic threads on these forums.

Any advice on which tropical fish to start out with(something interesting).....please use full names ppl keep using nick names like plec, i wanna look these fish up and have a read so it just makes it easier for me
thanks.......

 

[jpphillips]

Goramis and coreys are nice and hardy fish, and they are fun to watch!

I personally like the opaline gorami and golden gorami. they grow to about 4 inches (minus tail) and are a very docile fish. The coreys will play around and generally add life to your tank, as well as eat any food that goes to the ground.

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Zebra Danios are very cheap and very hardy, might be a good first choice. I am also partial to neon tetras.