Newbie coldwater advice

[ChatEnOeuf]

We've inherited a 70-litre aquarium from our neighbours who are moving overseas and can't take their fish with them. They say the fishes are about three years old. In the tank there's an oranda (with its warty hat), a yellow plec and a snail. They did have another goldfish who died a few months ago. There's also a live plant, part buried in a shallow layer of gravel, a filter and a light.

I've not kept fish before but have read a couple of books and a lot of internet stuff about basic care. However, I'm wondering if there is space or whether the oranda needs a buddy? If so what species would be best? Also I think it needs some decoration/hiding places for them - can I just pop one in or does it need pretreating at all?

Thanks in advance

Ooh, they may have lumbered you with more than you expected. Unfortunately 70 litres is not big enough for an oranda, which grow to be very large fish. Sit down before you read this, it's about goldfish size and life expectancy and it may come as a bit of a shock.

The yellow plec may need watching if it's one of these, as they can become aggressive and attack other fish when they reach adulthood. If it is one of those then you'll need to rehome it. If it's one of these then the situation isn't as dire but it will need rehoming anyway because it needs vastly different conditions to orandas.

If you decide that you can't keep the oranda then there are loads of rehoming groups on facebook and there are plenty of fish that are easy to care for and that will stay small enough to live in a 70 litre tank.

Sorry that's all a bit doom and gloom, thought it was better to be honest about it so you don't end up struggling with a big fish in a small tank. If you need any more tips let me know, I'll try not to be so miserable next time

Oh bugger. I feared as much from what I'd read already, though some people had suggested a single fancy in a 70-L would be fine. Clearly not if it's capable of growing to over half the length of the tank! I gather the oranda can't go into a pond (shame, as my mother has one), so I'll have to look for an adoptive home for it, or buy a bigger tank. Decisions...

The plec is the one in the first pic, doesn't seem aggressive at present but I'll keep an eye while we decide what to do (which one has to fly the tank).

Thanks for the advice - I'm sure I'll be back asking for more in time