Unwise Purchase

[LuvFish]

Hey All,
New Here and feeling pretty clueless. I have had fresh water aquariums up to 5 at a time and up to 75 gallons but not for many years. I have missed them. I convinced my husband to get me a 1 gallon tank for Christmas which has become the 1 gallon and two 3.5 gallons. I didn't want to keep up with larger tanks. I have more than the recommended amount of fish in the two 3.5 gallons (though not overly much) but have good filters and do regular maintenance. Everything is going well...except...I couldn't resist an African Feather Fin at the high price of $20. I needed a bottom feeder and it was soooo awesome. Obviously, I did not do any research and did not realize that it would grow and grow and grow (though it is still small at this time). I got frustrated because he ate my ghost shrimp and I lost two algae eaters and I rarely saw him. Because I hadn't lost any other fish, I had to suspect the Feather Fin. I have been agonizing over what to do with him since I found out about his eventual size. My hope was that its growth would be relative to the size tank. As I said, he is still very small. I gave him his own 1 gallon tank for now but don't intend to move up in size of aquarium. He has come out of his shell today after I cleaned his tank so I am enjoying him, however, I know from my research that I will have to find him a new home sooner better than later since I will be relocating to Colorado. My question is how and where? In the old days when my fish began to get very large and/or aggressive in my 75 gallon, I would take them to a pet store and they would take and/or sometimes trade them. As of yet, I have not been able to find a place that would take them, some say because I bought them at another store and they don't want to contaminate their tanks. O.K. I understand that because they don't know me or the condition of my tanks but as a responsible owner, I don't want to put him in our retention pond and hope for the best. The turtles will surely eat him within two seconds. Any guidance will be appreciated.

[bekateen]

Hi LuvFish,

First, welcome to the website. Now, about your fish. Perhaps others will have additional suggestions, but I can think of one: Look around for any aquarium clubs in your area; you can probably find someone who would like to have the fish. Alternatively, I don't know if you've exhausted your options about local fish stores - have you asked at all of the stores in your area?

And absolutely, do NOT release it into the wild. There are so many reasons that's a bad idea.

Good luck.

Cheers, Eric

[NCE12940]

You might also check out Fishkeepers Classifieds on Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FishkeepersClassifieds/

[LuvFish]

Thanks so much!!!