Downsizing his tank?
#1 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 02:05 PM
As BAMF has matured going on 6 plus inches he literally never leaves his one half of the 55 tank. Well if he is not going to utilize the whole tank and isn’t going to have a tank mate what do you think of me putting him in my 30 gallon? It’s basically the same room he uses in the 55 now but doesn’t allow him that extra room which currently is useless.
What is ya’lls option of downsizing a tank? Because truly if he isn’t going to use the full tank I would like to put my cichlids from the 30 plus a few more into the 55. But I am not sure if a 30 is an appropriate for a full grown single sunfish as he could still be growing (I guess I’ve never had a sunfish before but read they could get 8”). I wants what's best for him in the long run and do understnad that bigger is typically better but wanted to see everyones option of a single sunfish in a 30 gal.
#2 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 02:18 PM
1) I can't help noticing it's spring time right now. Did he make a nest? Is he staying on that side of the tank because he made a nest and is guarding it? If so, it might be a seasonal thing, and he'll go back to using the whole tank in a month ish.
2) Have you tried feeding him on the other side of the 55? For example when I was dropping in minced chunks of unbreaded frozen cocktail shrimp, the fish went where the shrimp chunks were. I bet if you fed him on that side of the tank, especially with something tasty he doesn't normally get, he'd go there.
#3 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 02:25 PM
He was making his nest in the center of the tank but I have notice him nesting on the one side of the tank behind the big driftwood looking decorations I put in there. Since he has made that particular cave place his nesting area he hasn't really left it besides to occasionally greet me and to feed. Yes I actually have only been feeding him on the other side of the tank to get him out from behind the one piece of decor and used to the whole tank again. I also feed him some live minnos and he came out to eat but then he immediately goes back to his one side. How long does breeding season last, if that is the only reason he is staying where he is I don’t mind waiting it out but if he has just chosen that small chunk as his territory and wants nothing to do with the rest well that kinda sucks and is a waste of a decent tank.Before I address downsizing, I'd like to address not leaving that side of the tank.
1) I can't help noticing it's spring time right now. Did he make a nest? Is he staying on that side of the tank because he made a nest and is guarding it? If so, it might be a seasonal thing, and he'll go back to using the whole tank in a month ish.
2) Have you tried feeding him on the other side of the 55? For example when I was dropping in minced chunks of unbreaded frozen cocktail shrimp, the fish went where the shrimp chunks were. I bet if you fed him on that side of the tank, especially with something tasty he doesn't normally get, he'd go there.
#4 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 02:52 PM
Attached Files
#5 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 02:57 PM
But I don't think he's responding like a breeding fish would. Usually they make their nest on a flat patch of gravel, not inside a log. That's unusual behavior. Hmm. I don't think in my entire history of fishkeeping I've ever seen a fish hide in a log when it's the only fish in the tank like that. Bigger fish there to eat it? yeah, they hide. Brightly colored fish terrifying in their beauty? yeah, they hide. Giving birth? hide. Vacuuming or walking by the tank? hide. But this behavior? I dunno, I can sorta see why you were thinking about tank mates. I've only seen the behavior you're describing in teenagers on summer break, so bored they don't get out of bed and spend the whole day in their room. Depressed humans do have to come out to get food and go to the bathroom. Maybe dither fish are the answer. Or maybe he'd just come out to kill them, then go back in. Aggressive fish are tough.
#6 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 03:11 PM
#7 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 03:17 PM
#8 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 03:26 PM
#9 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 03:40 PM
Attached Files
#10 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 04:38 PM
Edited by Aireal, 30 May 2014 - 04:56 PM.
#11 Guest_Pumpkinsteve_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 06:54 PM
#12 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 07:24 PM
#13 Guest_steve_*
Posted 30 May 2014 - 10:43 PM
Erica, You're not at all a bad person for suggesting letting him do what comes natural, It is after all, a fish-eat-fish world.
#14 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 06 June 2014 - 09:14 AM
#15 Guest_Erica Lyons_*
Posted 06 June 2014 - 09:50 AM
The end product of bacterial nitrogen processing is nitrate. It accumulates, and must be removed via water changes or live plant growth. Bacteria alone don't make a 'cycle'; they make a dead end path to nitrate....the tank ... is established ...
You could also try rearranging the tank, too?
And I've heard a red light bulb scares skittish fish less.
This is just an idle idea, but is he afraid of the white stag head statue? It's the brightest thing in there. You could try taking it out.
#16 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 06 June 2014 - 09:58 AM
he's had the stag head since he was 2 " and put in the tank never had an issue with it and still goes up to it all the time. he even nested next to it when he was in breeding mode. I'll check my water quality when I get home from work tonight.The end product of bacterial nitrogen processing is nitrate. It accumulates, and must be removed via water changes or live plant growth. Bacteria alone don't make a 'cycle'; they make a dead end path to nitrate.
You could also try rearranging the tank, too?
And I've heard a red light bulb scares skittish fish less.
This is just an idle idea, but is he afraid of the white stag head statue? It's the brightest thing in there. You could try taking it out.
#17 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 09 June 2014 - 12:37 PM
PH high range 7.4 ppm, Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 5ppm
They seem pretty normal to me, So I don't think that is the case. I hate to stress him but I may try him in the 30 and see how it goes for a week or so and if he seems to stressed or doesn't adjust I can move him back. A 55 is just alot of space for 1 fish that doesn't use the whole tank.
#18 Guest_QuoVadis_*
Posted 09 June 2014 - 12:58 PM
#19 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 09 June 2014 - 01:00 PM
Yes I was thinking that as well, just do 50% water changes weekly.I think a 30g is fine. If I were you I'd just keep changing the same amount of water as you were on the 55g. (i.e. ~15 gallons each week, or 50% of the 30g).
#20 Guest_Aireal_*
Posted 16 June 2014 - 02:14 PM
Attached Files
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users