Beginner with Glofish

[pettyryan9]

Hi! I am new to fish tanks however I have the complete basic set up. Filter. Freshwater. Heater. Etc. I have a 20 gallon tank with 1 mono (the other died) 3 glofish, 3 Rainbow Guppies, 1 albino pleco, and 1 shrimp. The tank is about 3 weeks old. The other day I have been noticing one of the glofish being slightly less active and noticeably bullying? Other fish. I'm wondering if the fish are playing or in fact are getting bullied. The glofish doesn't interact with the 3 guppies but is more aggressive with the other 2 glofish and the mono.

P.s. I switched the feeding cycle from twice a day to once a day. Since it switched I noticed the glofish noticeably less active (still feeding plenty, couple flakes falling to gravel) but the mono has been much more active. The mono was initially shy but might just be warming up.

Thanks!

 

[serena00]

Okay I already see a few problems here. Mono get about 8 inches and should be in a tank 5 times bigger than yours. They are also brackish fish(they need some salt in their water to live) this could be why one died. They are also potentially aggressive and should not be kept with such cam nice fish such as everything else is your tank.

I recommend taking back to mono and upping the guppies to 5 total.

Also I don't really love the idea of glo fish. They are actually genetically modified fish. Therefore, they don't always live that long.

Just a few things to think about.


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry

 

[Pseudomugil]

+1 to everything said above. I'd also be worried about the pleco as they can reach 12-15 inches unless it's a bristle nose or clown pleco.

 

[Dallascowboys16]

+1 to everything said above. I'd also be worried about the pleco as they can reach 12-15 inches unless it's a bristle nose or clown pleco.

The tank is still too small for a bristle nose or clown pleco.

 

[pettyryan9]

The albino pleco is very small and the pet shop specialist said he would hardly grow more, no more than an inch. As for the mono he said 2-3 inches roughly and the glofish about 1 1/2 in. I had specifically wanted all non-aggressive fish as that's what they had labeled the glofish at the store. I am worried now for the other fish. I haven't yet seen any damaged fins or tails but I am keeping a close eye.

 

[pettyryan9]

Here is a picture of the mono, about 1 1/2 in now. He is still pretty shy. I will try to find the pleco but he is stealthy

 

[Dallascowboys16]

The albino pleco is very small and the pet shop specialist said he would hardly grow more, no more than an inch. As for the mono he said 2-3 inches roughly and the glofish about 1 1/2 in. I had specifically wanted all non-aggressive fish as that's what they had labeled the glofish at the store. I am worried now for the other fish. I haven't yet seen any damaged fins or tails but I am keeping a close eye.

He lied. Or simply didn't know what he was talking about. As stated above the mono will grow huge and need brackish or low grade saltwater. The pleco, regardless of what type it is, will grow up to 5-6 inches and if it is a common pleco it will get 12-18 inches. I recommend you re home everything but the guppies and get a few more guppies. Up to 5-6 total.

 

[AngelFishGirl]

The glofish are okay to stay in a tank that size, but +1 to the mono and Pleco rehome. Unfortunately most fish stores and employees are in it for the sale and don't care about the wellbeing of the fish. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and do your own research.

 

[Coursair]

Return the Mono.

Glofish are Zebra Danios. They should be in groups of 6 or more. They can be very zippy and annoying to calmer fish. But they are hardy.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+881+941&pcatid=941

Guppies, unless you stick to all males will breed and breed and overpopulate the tank. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+1100+1045&pcatid=1045

Albino Pleco is probably an Albino Bristlenose. They should be in 30g or bigger. For now, what are you feeding him ? He also needs a piece of driftwood to chew on. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+837+1039&pcatid=1039
http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=49 Planet Catfish has a ton of info.


Research your fish. Don't blindly believe the LFS employee or us.

Make sure your Pleco is a Pleco and not a Gold Chinese Algae Eater. They can hit 12" and get quite nasty.


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[Coursair]

Oops, ok you have Glow Skirt Tetras.
I would NOT recommend Skirt Tetras with Guppies, they are nippy fish. Almost any small fish like Tetras , should be in groups of six or more. Or their behavior could become much worse and they can nip even more than usual. http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tetrafish/blackskirttetra.php


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[Coursair]

Are all three Glowfish the same body type ?

They make Zebra Danios
Skirt Tetras
Tiger Barbs

All three can be nippy.


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[Trainer_Ruby_]

The glofish are okay to stay in a tank that size, but +1 to the mono and Pleco rehome. Unfortunately most fish stores and employees are in it for the sale and don't care about the wellbeing of the fish. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and do your own research.

I agree. When I bought my Betta they said he'd be fine living in the cup he was sold in. I wish that pet stores required them to have somewhat of a background in fish


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[pettyryan9]

Thanks for the input coursair, here are the 3 glofish the 3rd glofish is above the 2 guppies

 

[pettyryan9]

After researching a bit more on liveaquaria.com my believed to be albino pleco is actually a gold algae eater. It says it can be semi aggressive, I didn't think algae eaters really were aggressive, I am currently feeding it and the shrimp algae wafers as it is a new tank

 

[pettyryan9]

Would I be wrong if I said these are green cobra guppies? I enjoy watching how playful and active these are

 

[Coursair]

Your Glofish are Skirt Tetras ?

As babies CAE are fairly ok fish. As they get bigger they get territorial and harass tank mates. They will suck the slime coat off slow swimming fish as adults. I would rehome your Gold CAE.

You can try adding 2-3 more Glo skirts but you need to understand they may still harass the guppies once they get comfortable.


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[pettyryan9]

I think I will return the Chinese algae eater, 3 glofish, and alleged mono (need to research more). I want as peaceful and playful tank as possible and 100% happiness with my fish. Do you think the guppies are happy in a group of 3 or should I add one more along with 2-3 other like fish

 

[Coursair]

You could add another male Guppy. They will still chase each other.

Suggestions ?

Lots of live plants.

Glowlight Tetras 8

Cory Cats 6




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[pettyryan9]

How hard are live plants to take care of? someone had also mentioned bark. I like the bark idea as there isn't a ton of places for the fish to hide at the moment.

 

[Coursair]

Start with easy plants. Try Java Ferns. Tie or glue it to Driftwood using cotton thread or aquarium safe super glue. Is your substrate Gravel ?

Anubias
Anacharis
Amazon Sword ( needs a root tab )
Crypts ( root tab for food )
Ludwigia ( needs liquid fertilizer weekly )

I do a PWC weekly. Usually 50%
I add
Liquid ferts:
Flourish comprehensive
API LeafZone
1x weekly

DIY Root Tabs every 3-4 months ( I buy from other hobbyists on the planted tank forum, my last batch was eight dollars for 50 tabs )
Bury tabs deeply near Swords or Crypts. If you have larger gravel, you may need to add a little bit of sand to keep the root tabs buried.




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