[Joga Bonito]

i got three reds today that are 2 3 incher and one 5 incher, their in a 29 gallon for now until i get the 60 gallon tank. should i give them food or should i wait till tomorow? they seem to be really scared every time i open the lid, should i let them get used to their tank before i start moving things around in the tank?
what should i feed them all i have to feed them is shrimp, feter fish, and some other kind of fish? is that okay or am i missing something.

 

[NegativeCamber]

You should of had the tank set-up the way you wanted before putting them in there. I would not move anything around unless you have to..

IMO... I think a 29 gallon for 3 rbp's that size is pushing the limits to being too small! They tend to be territorial and when they want their own space.. they want their own space!!

I do not see any harm in throwing something in the tank for them to eat.. However if they do not eat it within 10 minutes or so, I would take it out. You might also have to turn the lights out to get them to move around and eat..

 

[Xantarc]

if u didnt have that 5 incher i would say they should be fine for the mean time kus i had 6 rbp in a 29 when they where 1-2" so i dont know how the 5" will react. You can throw in your shrimp if ud like, what i like to do is get a float the ones u use while going fishing and hook up some fishing line to the shirmp and let the shrimp float in there but i doubt they will eat for the first couple of days it took my carbies 2 weeks before i saw them eat something so yea and wait till at least a week till u move stuff around i pretty sure they are stressed from the move and i wouldnt use lights untill tehy get use to there new home just use sun light hope that helps

 

[shoe997bed263]

i would get a couple of feeders and put them in the tank. not gold fish though like mollies or guppies. dont turn the light on and i would put a sheet over the tank. give them some time. your fish just went through a scary experience. give them time

 

[shoe997bed263]

also u should have had the tank set up before u put the p's in there. set the tank up how u want it them put some feeders in there and put a cover over the tank and leave it alone

 

[haitwun]

Since those used to be my fish, i know them pretty well. Here is what i suggest you do.
It is okay to feed them now but they will not eat in front of you, no matter what. Put something in there and leave the room for about an hour. If the food is not gone, remove it. This is how i used to feed them. I recommend any of the following. Shrimp, chicken, catfish fillets, and Hikari foodsticks because these are what i've been feeding them. (sacrafice the kissing gourami)
That 5 incher has been non-aggressive ever since he hatched. You'll notice the larger of the 3 inchers picking on him from time to time. Dun worry about them getting along, they have been living together for almost 2 months now. I do suggest you getting a bigger tank though, because they have been living in a 55 gallon before i gave them to you.
It took them 2 weeks to get used to me. Keep the lights dim and dun startle them too much. They had to sit in the car for a whole 2 hours. They may have gotten carsick, just give them lots of time and patience and they will be the most awesome fish you ever owned.

 

[PYROPYGO1]

i would have the tank set up first and have a decorative backdrop or something to block out excess light. you may have to move the 5 incher eventually because they can violently run into the side of the tank and damage their mouth. i have seen this happen, the lips will get torn off.

 

[Guest]

The Hikari carnivorous food sticks are a good idea as haitwun suggested. They float and they are easy to remove if they don't get eaten. I stuff them in king prawn so my P will eat them!

It would be a good idea to let them relax a little without lights or too much disturbance.

 

[cmsCheerFish]

leave em be for a lil bit and get used to that tank!