Taelen
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hi folks,
I recently inherited a 30-40g tank from the previous owner of our home. I've always wanted to start a tank but never really had the time/space.
The population of the tank is currently:
1 red-tailed shark
1 pearl gourami
1 common? pleco
2 small silver fish (danios maybe?)
I was told by the previous owner that the shark was fairly aggressive and I've confirmed as such by researching him, but what I was also told by him is that the pleco (who is quite large) is aggressive as well. Haven't seen him do much other than stick his mouth on the side of the tank.
Have had the tank for about 1 month and so far so good. Have cleaned it once a week so far with a python I purchased. I believe normally this is done once a month or so but the tank was a little extra dirty.
Last weekend I decided to add my first fish (I was told 1" of fish per gallon as far as stocking goes), a striped raphael catfish who I really liked the look of.
A couple of concerns/questions...the shark torments the catfish when it comes out to feed, he hasn't actually hurt him but he swims very close to him and follows him around and nudges him occasionally. The catfish eats and goes back to hiding. How normal is this and will it stop once the catfish gets a little bigger?
Secondly, I have read that sand is good for the catfish to burrow in etc...there's just normal gravel in there now, what type of sand would I use and what's the best way to lay it out/add it and how much? Also, how does one clean the sand as the python would likely suck it up?
Thanks in advance. =)
I recently inherited a 30-40g tank from the previous owner of our home. I've always wanted to start a tank but never really had the time/space.
The population of the tank is currently:
1 red-tailed shark
1 pearl gourami
1 common? pleco
2 small silver fish (danios maybe?)
I was told by the previous owner that the shark was fairly aggressive and I've confirmed as such by researching him, but what I was also told by him is that the pleco (who is quite large) is aggressive as well. Haven't seen him do much other than stick his mouth on the side of the tank.
Have had the tank for about 1 month and so far so good. Have cleaned it once a week so far with a python I purchased. I believe normally this is done once a month or so but the tank was a little extra dirty.
Last weekend I decided to add my first fish (I was told 1" of fish per gallon as far as stocking goes), a striped raphael catfish who I really liked the look of.
A couple of concerns/questions...the shark torments the catfish when it comes out to feed, he hasn't actually hurt him but he swims very close to him and follows him around and nudges him occasionally. The catfish eats and goes back to hiding. How normal is this and will it stop once the catfish gets a little bigger?
Secondly, I have read that sand is good for the catfish to burrow in etc...there's just normal gravel in there now, what type of sand would I use and what's the best way to lay it out/add it and how much? Also, how does one clean the sand as the python would likely suck it up?
Thanks in advance. =)