ACFs with Tetras

[artes]

Hello! I have two ACF frogs that I just moved to a 20 gallon, and they're hanging out with 5 black skirted tetras to help the tank cycle (I used 10 gallons of precycled water, and their original rocks, but I wanted to make sure it cycled right). The guy at the pet store told me that the tetras could stay with the frogs, because even at full size the tetras are too big for them to eat. Is that actually true? The frogs are only half grown now, so currently they're definitely too small to eat them.

Thanks for the help.

[Wormwood]

They will still nip at the fish fins (even if they can't ingest the entire fish) and cause them stress, which can lead to death with fish pretty easily.

[artes]

Ok, thanks. I'll move them out after the tank is finished cycling. I don't want to stress them to death.

[rodsboys]

How big is "half grown"? I don't think there is a tetra that can co-exist with ACF. They will become food. ACF's can fit huge items into their mouths/guts.
There is no such thing as "cycled water" either. You just moved over some "used water". If you would like to shorten the cycle you should transfer over a portion of your filter media to the new tank.
If your frogs are tiny still and not "half grown" then you may still be fine. However if you had an old setup for the frogs that was cycled you should perhaps keep them in it until the new set up is cycled.

[artes]

Their body is roughly 2.5-3 inches long, which is why I said "half". They've been living with the tetras for about a month now and haven't even paid attention to them, I was more asking about what they would do as adults.
Unfortunately, due to the way my electrical outlets are set up, I couldn't move over the old filter, and the new filter is a completely different type. I suppose I could drop the sponge from the old filter into the water, but I figured that would be silly.
Due to space availability, the new tank went exactly where the old tank was. So, if I left them in the old tank, they would have been sitting on the floor, where my cats sure would have enjoyed watching them. Some of the cycling media is also in the old substrate, which was moved over as well.

[rodsboys]

Sounds like you are doing the best you can with your situation. What kind of tetras do you have that they are too big for a 2"-3" frog? Buenos Aires?
You can add a couple of hardy cheap live plants to the new tank to help with the cycle too. Plants are fresh water's answer to live rock.

[artes]

They're black skirted tetras. Their fins make them look bigger than they actually are, so the guy said the frogs won't try. Which so far, they haven't.

I have an anubia growing on a lava rock. I was thinking about adding more, but I wasn't sure what kind. Any suggestions?

[rodsboys]

I really like Hornwort. Grows anywhere and has a nice full look. Stands up to the frogs pretty good. Java fern is another good one. It is tough and low maintainance.
You should look into getting that lava rock out of the tank and attaching to something else. That may be too sharp on the frogs delicate skin.

[artes]

Oh ok, I never knew it might hurt their skin. I'll see if I can pry it off, and maybe attach it to some driftwood instead. I'll pick up some Hornwort next time I'm at the pet store - thanks for the suggestions.

[Jenste]

Hi,
a great no maintenance and fast growing plant is Water wisteria - - it is in all my tanks and left floating. the frogs love it!

As for the tetras, they will be no challenge for the frogs - - a 3" ACF can eat a 3" goldfish...


and keep an eye on your water quality! Using water from the original tank does absolutely nothing to aid cycling. What kind of filter are you now using, how long has the tank been set up, and how long had your previous tank been set up and what filter were you using then.

It takes about 2-3 months for a beneficial bacteria colony to develop in a filter and is sensitive even to trace amounts of chlorine - always use a tap water conditioner when doing a water change and never run a filter cartridge under the tap to rinse it off, rinse it off in a bucket of dirty tank water to remove any waste. A filter cartridge should only be replaced when it is literally falling apart- maybe once a year. And even then only replace a portion of the cartridge at a time to prevent throwing your tank into a mini-cycle due to a severe loss of your bacteria colony.

[artes]

They haven't even so much as glanced at the tetras, so I assume they'll be ok for the cycling. I keep them well fed and happy.

The previous tank had only been set up for about a month and a half. It was a 10 gallon, and once I learned that two needed a 20, I set up a 20 gallon as soon as I could (which was a couple of days ago). I've kept fish for years, so I have water conditioner, as well as some nitrite removal/cycling stuff going. With the chemical stuff I use, it takes about a month to fully finish cycling.

The frogs seem really happy though. They're swimming around like crazy, and they're eating well. So, the chemical stuff seems to be easing their transition.

[artes]

If anybody is curious, the tank is still doing really well. I ended up adding water wisteria, because I couldn't find any hornwort. Some of it is planted, and some is left floating. The cycle is going pretty well according to the water test strips. The froggies are both delighted with the extra space, and regularly swim laps around the tank. They've also started taking food out of my hand whenever I present them with treats (bloodworms and the occasional small bit of beefheart). All five tetras are doing well too - the frogs are seriously ignoring them. I guess since they've pretty much been together since the tank started the frogs don't mind them being there.

[artes]

Here is a recent photo:

[berksmike]

Looking good but make sure you keep them well fed - if hungry they could easily woof down those tetra. My Acfs would easily catch and eat freshwater shrimp bigger than those