Fish keeping newbie

[Iheartmysmart]

I seem to have assumed responsibility for my sister’s 30L BiOrb fish tank as she isn’t currently well enough to take care of it. There are two fish - a Siamese Flying Fox and a Pleco.

The actual tank seems fairly easy to maintain but I’d like to add a couple more fish. Can anyone help with recommendations of what to get please? I don’t want to over stock the tank.

Also, do people turn the tank lights off at night? My sister didn’t but most of my google searches say you should.

[Lilpop90]

Hi welcome to fishkeeping!

yes you should turn off the light at night. Light should be on for around 8-12 hours a day. I have mine on a timer plug to achieve this. Fish need sleep too!

I have 4 flying foxes, they go well with most things but size of tank will be your limiting factor (mine are in a 200L) . I would suggest a couple of guppies, maybe 3/4 max give it’s only 30L. I’ve chosen male guppies as guppies breed like mad and I don’t want to constantly rehome fish. Males are usually more vivid in colour too.

flying foxes can get up to 15cm so you may have to rehome or upgrade the tank later down the line.

Make sure you are also supplementing algae pellets/ wafers for both of these fish, not just tropical fish food.

good luck!

[Iheartmysmart]

Thank you so much for your help @Lilpop90 Fish keeping is a whole new experience for me, I’ve only ever had furry pets!

I’ve been turning the light off at night, poor things must have been shattered.

I did pop into our local aquatics centre last weekend and they suggested rehoming both fish that are currently in the tank and restocking it with smaller fish. I certainly don’t want to keep them in unsatisfactory conditions. The fox is about 8cm already so probably already too large for the tank.

They are absolutely fascinating, far too much time is being wasted just watching them.

[Lilpop90]

I’m sure they enjoyed the black out!

Great you went to the store! I know our foxes grew so much we ended up upgrading from a 70L to a 200L only 6 months later!! They are VERY competent jumpers so be careful when you catch him. One of ours jumped out of the net and ended up flapping his way under the sofa (he’s fine).

Where in the country are you?

Highly recommend YouTube for fish research, some really good content, these guys are quite good for breed specific profiles, check them out :

I think a few guppies or endler guppies (smaller variety) would suit a 30L.

Would love to know what you decide!

[Iheartmysmart]

I ended up going to a few different places! The first two I really wasn’t happy with the conditions the fish were being kept in. The tanks were dirty and none of the staff seemed to know anything about them!

Ended up in the local Maidenhead Aquatics who were really helpful and everywhere was spotless.

I’m in Wiltshire if you know any decent places.

Thanks for the tip about the fox - can you imagine if he jumped out of the tank and my dog got him! I’d never be forgiven.

I’ll do my research and let you know what I decide on.

[Lilpop90]

It is really sad to see the conditions some of these fish shops keep them in. I hate seeing Siamese fighter fish in tiny, non-filtrated glass cubes. They lay on the floor looking miserable!

Maidenhead branches have always been good in my experience, so I’d stick with them! The one closest to me actually has a re-homing tank for people who take on fish that get too big, which shows they care, I think. Sadly, I don’t know Wiltshire.

haha yes, don’t give the dog a fishy treat! Keep the net covered with your hand or a book or something- and never put them in anything without a lid!

I’m sure you’ve read up on things like water changes etc!

Good luck!