You’ve Bought A Tankbuster! Now What?

By Jeff Kurtz

At one time or another in their fishkeeping career, many marine aquarium hobbyists make the mistake of purchasing a fish that is destined to grow too large for their tank. They may do so completely unwittingly (because they didn’t research that “pretty little fish” in advance), or they may be more or less aware of the species’ growth potential but underestimate how much tank space it truly needs in order to thrive.

Regardless of how hobbyists manage to make this blunder, they’re left with the problem of what to do with the fish now that it’s in their aquarium and growing fast. If you should find yourself in such a predicament, here are a few possible solutions to explore. I’ve listed them in the order of (in my opinion) best to worst options.

Upsize your tank

It may be that the fish in question is a tankbuster only with respect to your current aquarium. For instance, that harlequin tuskfish may prove to be too much fish for your 75-gallon, but if you …read more

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