Questionable decision(s)...

[westward13]

Well, I went to the lfs tonight after work and bought the Common Pl*co that I've been meaning to get. I wanted another good sized catfish so I picked up an Iridescent Shark as well(although I realize they get very large in the wild, all of my research on them states that they should get no bigger than 8-12 inches in an aquarium setting). That was my first questionable decision which I hope I don't regret (for the sake of the fish)... I'm also a member of the fish-of-the-month club at this store, which entitles you to a free fish each month for a year. I picked a Red Tail Tinfoil Barb (the other 3 choices were fish that would stay way too small). I knew ahead of time that they can get up to 12 inches or so and I've seen a full-grown one at another fish store in the area which seemed to do well in a community tank with other larger fish. What I didn't realize is that it's a schooling fish. At the moment, it's trying to school with my 3 giant danios(of similar size to him for now) which don't know what to make of him.
My 3 Swordtails are eating the algae wafers I put in the tank for the Pl*co, one of my Opaline Gouramis is now chasing the other one around the tank non-stop (which is what they did to the third that I had which ended up dead as a result)... it's a ridiculous scene right now.
My question is this... should I return the Barb and possibly even the Iridescent Shark? At the very worst, if they did start to outgrow their surroundings, I would definitely make sure to find them a new home as opposed to keeping them in one that's not suitable for them. Any input on the subject is definitely appreciated...
Go easy on me, though... I'm still learning and it's still early enough to correct any mistakes I might have made.

 

[krap101]

dang a free fish every month for a fricken year! dang.. just get a full grown angel. 20$ right there.

the plecos probally fine. i think the others may be fine but i have no exp with those fish

 

[deli_conker]

At the very worst, if they did start to outgrow their surroundings, I would definitely make sure to find them a new home as opposed to keeping them in one that's not suitable for them.

That sounds like a plan to me. I really don't know about the compatability of the other fish for sure, but nothing is jumping out at me. Personally though, in a freshwater tank I prefer larger numbers of like species (assuming the fish prefer it that way). It usually makes for a more lively tank.

I used to be a fish-of-the-month member a long time ago but I live on a side of town where that fish store isn't at. The only thing I didn't like about it was that they never gave you anything really cool to choose from. Maybe they do now, but not back then...

 

[westward13]

Thanks, guys... Yeah, they don't usually have the greatest options as far as the free fish go. I didn't even take one my first month because I didn't like any of the ones they had available.

 

[TankGirl]

If I got a new fish every month I don't know what I would do with all of the fish!

 

[Endgame319]

Definately return the iridescent shark, they grow way too big for a 75g. You could do a group of 3-5 tinfoils, although they could eat smaller tankmates.

 

[westward13]

Is it more humane to keep the 3 inch fish until he reaches the maximum size that he can be kept in a 75 gallon and then donate him to a lfs with a 200-300 gallon tank in which to put him or should I return him to the 20 gallon tank he was in with 10-12 other baby iridecent sharks? :?