Is my tank big enough?

[Bethan]

Hi, I'm very new to fish so forgive my ignorance. I purchased a 2nd hand 38Litre tank about a month ago, at first I added an apple snail, then was given 2 black sailfins and an orangish one. I've had them for around 3 weeks, then about a week or 2 later I was given 2 Kribensis from someone who needed them gone. I took them being none the wiser and told they'd be fine with community fish etc. I'm still lacking knowledge but believe my tank may be massively too small! am I right? I think I also shouldn't have added fish so close together That said, they all seemed happy until tonight when I found my orangish one looking rather miserable and I'd think unlikely to make it with fins all torn up I've put him in a separate tank so he's not being picked on but am wondering the best way to go about things from here. Do I need a bigger tank? what size should I be looking at getting? thanks

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Hi, I'm very new to fish so forgive my ignorance. I purchased a 2nd hand 38Litre tank about a month ago, at first I added an apple snail, then was given 2 black sailfins and an orangish one. I've had them for around 3 weeks, then about a week or 2 later I was given 2 Kribensis from someone who needed them gone. I took them being none the wiser and told they'd be fine with community fish etc. I'm still lacking knowledge but believe my tank may be massively too small! am I right? I think I also shouldn't have added fish so close together That said, they all seemed happy until tonight when I found my orangish one looking rather miserable and I'd think unlikely to make it with fins all torn up I've put him in a separate tank so he's not being picked on but am wondering the best way to go about things from here. Do I need a bigger tank? what size should I be looking at getting? thanks

Welcome to AA!

If those are sailfin Molly's then yes your tank is to small they need 30 gallons. Do you have any idea on what the orange one is? A picture will help with an ID from us. The kribs should be in a tank size of a 20 gallon long. Your tank is a 10 gallon. If your wanting to keep all of them I would look into a 40 gallon long or a 55 gallon.

 

[Bethan]

i've attempted to add pics, but didn't really have any! I want to keep them all...how do you 'not keep' a fish??? but yes I"ll definitely be getting a larger tank asap

 

[Andrew McFadden]

i've attempted to add pics, but didn't really have any! I want to keep them all...how do you 'not keep' a fish??? but yes I"ll definitely be getting a larger tank asap

Yep that's what they are. The orange one looks like a platy but not sure. I'm not very good with those type of fish haha guppy, Molly's and Platy all look the same to me lol. Its probably ly the only one that will work in your tank size. I'd move up to a tank that's 48 inches long. You should be able to do a little more than to by doing that.

 

[Bethan]

My current thought is that I'll keep this tank going for the sailfins and maybe a few guppy's (I have some in another tank) and move the kribs into a bigger one, what do you think? Can I put the kribs straight into a new tank or do I need to cycle it first? another thing I need to find out more about!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

My current thought is that I'll keep this tank going for the sailfins and maybe a few guppy's (I have some in another tank) and move the kribs into a bigger one, what do you think? Can I put the kribs straight into a new tank or do I need to cycle it first? another thing I need to find out more about!

The sailfins need a bigger tank they can't stay in this tank they need 30+ gallons. If I remember right they get around 6.5".

The kribs would work in a 20 gallon long but I'd keep them with the ones up there^^ that we just talked about and get a bigger tank for both.

The orange one is fine to stay in the tank you.have now with maybe a few others like neon tetras and snails

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Oh sorry forgot. Yes the new tank will need to cycle as well. If you replace the filter cartridge you have now on the ten gallon don't. Do it once you get the other tank up and going and add that Nasty thing to the new filter. It will help it cycle fast

Also thanks for the thanks : )

 

[Bethan]

Fantastic, thanks for your advice! wish I'd come here first. I'm about to head to bed (NZtime it's the wee hours of the morning) but will no doubt be popping back on as I go whilst getting a new 'proper' set up sorted out thank you

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Fantastic, thanks for your advice! wish I'd come here first. I'm about to head to bed (NZtime it's the wee hours of the morning) but will no doubt be popping back on as I go whilst getting a new 'proper' set up sorted out thank you

No problem and good luck

 

[_skyla_]

Im pretty sure the orange ones a Molly too