Inappropriate fish living together, HELP!!!

Inga

I am currently struggling with a "GIFT" that was placed in my tank from my 8 year old nephew and my NON animal sister. To be fair, I have placed "GIFTS" in his tank. The difference being, I did my homework and made sure my gifts would work with is situation. I gifted him a Mystery Snail and 2 Oto's. I also gifted him a few live plants for his 10 gallon tank. He "gifted me" 6 Guppy's. You might think "what is wrong with that, they are great fish" and you would be right except, I have a Rainbow Shark, a school of Tiger Barbs and a Blue Gourami. I went into research mode and found that Platys are supposed to be alright with Guppy's so that isn't an issue but.... What the heck.

I have been looking at craigslist hoping to find a 30 gallon tank with hood and lights for cheap. I have not found that yet. I am going into over drive now. Hopefully they can hang in there until I can find one. I don't know what to do, I thought about putting them in a bucket with a sponge filter, if I can catch them but right now, they seem alright in my tank. What are your thoughts on that?

I can't scream and shout at my nephew, he thought this was the best thing anyone can do for me. Paybacks for all his gifts, I guess. My sister however... well, won't be giving fishy gifts to me again. Not to mention dumping pet store water in my tank. Now I have to have that concern too.

I wish Walmart still sold the 30 Gallon tank sets. They used to have them for like $80.00 or so. I could have spent that in a hurry but I don't want to drop over a hundred for these fish. Ugh! the thought of trying to catch fish in this tank again is making me sick to my stomach. I keep thinking I should just look the other way and let the other fish eat them but I can't. Not to mention, there isn't any interest in "eating" going on that I can tell. How much time do I have before all he-- breaks loose in there?

Why Guppy's why couldn't it have been some really cool fish that WOULD get along with everyone in there? I have been madly scrambling about trying to find info on this mix. I was afraid to mention it here. I know how bad this is, I just can't be mad at an 8 year old boy who was so proud of his gift. Thank God he didn't get me a bunch of eels like he wanted me to get.

Would a 20 gallon be large enough for 6 Guppy's and a few something else if a 20 comes available?

burnsbabe

I think a 20 would be fine for six guppies. That said, I can tell how stressed out you are. Don't be mad at the kid and let things do what they will. No one's fault really (except maybe your sister).

Romad

What a sweet thought but .....oh boy! Hopefully you can rehome them soon before those pretty Guppy tails become too much of a temptation for those nippy barbs and shark. I think you'll be fine with a 20 gallon to start with but unless you have all females or all males, you're going to end up with a boatload of guppies.

On the other hand, a Guppy tank sounds really nice if you still have room for another tank.

Let us know what you end up doing and good luck.

zof

How about a tank divider? Or would that cut to much room out for your other fish?

Inga

burnsbabe, I am not mad at my nephew he has the kindest heart you can imagine. He will use his hard earned money to give to a millionaire if he thought it would make them happy. Just not the best thought out thing in the world.

Romad, I didn't want guppies but they are here now. I have to figure something out for them. I would almost sooner re-home my Barbs just because they keep limiting all my choices. Though that is not their fault and they have yet to be an issue for any of the other fish in my tank that they are not supposed to get along with. My Gourami for instance. Gourami and Guppies get along, right? At least one source said yes, no problem. I know there are differing opinions on that. I don't have room for another tank but I also can't let my "gift" get eaten, either.

Zof, The tank is sort of deep and long not wide so it would be a weird set up for them if I divided it. So far, it isn't a problem but I am afraid when I wake up I will be a few Guppies short of a set. I have no idea if they are girls or boys. From what I have read the girls are much bigger then the boys but not so colorful. Mine are all pretty colorful and VERY SMALL which is why I am so concerned for them. That said, nobody in my tank has hurt my Oto's yet either and they are about the same size. They do whip their little tails around tempting everyone to grab them though. They look like little fishing lures.

zof

Some people say guppies and gouramis don't get along but with my guppies and gouramis they seem to do ok with each other (even if my guppies have been dropping like flys lately). On the bright side even if your guppies die, they are cheap and you can always buy more everytime your nephew comes over.

kitten_penang

i know ship them to mee =) jk. find a floater that cost a few bucks and keep them there for the time being.or get a plastics aquarium which is really cheap and leave them there while you find out what to do with them.

Inga

He checks are too regularly for that. I don't want any fish to drop dead, So far, they are all getting along alright that I can see. They just sit there wiggling their little tails and my other fish swim around them. The only thing I saw this far was when the Tiger Barbs did their racing, the Guppies got a little nervous and moved out the way. It is amazing how fast Tiger Barbs can move when they chose. Like lightning.

When I walk in the room with the tank lights still off, I can see the blue Guppies pretty darn well. Their flagging tails really show up so I suspect they will be quite tempting to the Barbs. So far, the Barbs have been on their best behavior and I have also witnessed the Shark swimming peacefully around them. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Kitten, I hate to get a crappy plastic tank just to toss them in temporarily, I would really prefer to re-home them permanently into a 20-30 gallon tank. I am hoping to find one with a decent stand too. I know I want a lot. lol

kitten_penang

good luck in getting the new tank.it's hard to find a good bargain these days

tanker

As if we don't have enough opportunities to make mistakes of our own, without others making mistakes for us.... Hopefully you'll be able to get them out into a new tank ASAP.