I am very stressed out - and fearful that I will be laughed at. I am the typical clueless mother of 3 , ages 7, 2 and 3 months. Last year in December we bought the typical fantail goldfish from ***Mart and put it in a bowl and mom was stuck cleaning the bowl every other day because goldfish are so poopy and so I bought a little 5 gallon set up with carbon filtration and bio wheel to put silly fantail in. Happy mom with clean tank and very happy kids. The smart addition of a live plant and fun aquatic toys made us all happy. Added snail for interest and a little brown algea control. Water was too warm for goldfish running between 76 and 78, my husband speculated because of flourescent light. Not happy family to discover one and then second dead goldfish on Christmas. More gold fish - dead goldfish (looked up symptoms on internet - looked like sepsis). NO MORE GOLDFISH. Snail was fine. Treated tank with something suggested for bacteria - waited then added a single platy we named Mattie. Lonely platy gets guppy tankmate, again happy. Now here we had a simple 5 gallon standard set up with our platy, guppy and snail and a little more algea than I cared to have, but warm water - what did I expect. Cleaned tank walls as often as I could - that's the least of my worries. I saw my cousins huge 25 gallon or better tank and got starry eyed. She has the cutest crabs that do little kung fu moves. I had to have a crab - so I went to her choice of pet store. Ready to bag crab when I ask - will it bother tankmates??? Oh yes it will eat my snail - can't have that, I have small kids and envision their horrified faces at sight of eaten snail. I must have a bottom feeder for tank to help with overall eco-system. Their suggestion - a YO YO Loach. Dissappointed in just one new fish we decide to get something else - kids choose an ugly blue painted tetra. Call cousin to report crab is a no go, and she warns that tetras can be unfriendly from her personal bad experience. New tank mates - no problems for one week until today. Fish were fine all the way to last night as of feeding time - I am sure because we just moved and after I cleaned the tank I was staring at them admiring their healthy appearances - still okay this morning until this afternoon comes and my son says that the snail is on the guppy - sounds unusual and there is our fantail guppy with no fins and no tail at the bottom of the tank pretty much dead. Oh god where is the platy - stuck on the intake like one of those fish at ***Mart! Kids are horrifed and can't stop staring at it like a car wreck on the interstate. Quick call to cousin and she reiterates her tetra warning. Where is the tetra - in tank front unharmed and looking fairly guilty. I am mad. I loved that we had successfully kept healthy fish for so long. It was an achievement, and the kids were attached. The guppie and platy were lovingly swooped up and sent off to toilet heaven and the ugly blue tetra had made me so mad that it went too. I was so frustrated and sad and felt so dumb for messing up a good thing. I was also baffled. How could that tetra eat my fishes fins gone in mere hours and I not noticed. I blamed it on myself and being busing taking care of a 2 year old and 3 month old all day. Off to store to get new fish with kids. We pick 2 reliable platies and due to lack of guppy selection have also brought home a molly and inspect fins and tails carefully, perfect looking fish. Add fish to tank with no threat of tetra. Two minutes go by - watching new fish from a few feet away. What is this - oh the YO YO Loach has come out to see what's up - gosh I've never seen him swim that much and he's very fast. He attacks one of the platies. Relentless he chases it around the tank nipping at his fins and tail... he indeed is taking chunks of fin and tail. I am horrified and quickly yell for my husband. Husband is pissed. It takes fifteen minutes for us to turn the entire tank upside down - trying to net the aggressor that caused so much stress. Angry husband flushes YO YO Loach. I am sad and frustrated! There is not enough good fish help in any store. I have made countless mistakes and though I've not been buying pricey fish, spent countless dollars on this hobby. Now I look at my little (but cute) dishelveled tank with its crooked plant and uneven gravel and wonder where to go from here. I have a traumatized platy - someone tell me - will his fin and tail grow back where he was savagely nibbled? He seems a little skiddish now (understandable). I know so little and I am worried about the platy and the future of my tank. My kids love the fish and we want to keep the tank going. I am busy any tips for colorful passive tankmates or should I stop with what we've got also, advice on fin recovery would be greatly appreciated. I see cute fish and creatures and never know what will really work in my tank. Now I am terrified of making another mistake and also really feeling like a bad person for flushing the tetra and even for the loach because it was not really his fault. Please be forgiving of my mistakes this was one of the worst experiences I've ever had with pets and I feel awful. Please help... :sad
Not a new tank - but first real disaster!
- Thread starter momto3
- Start date
I'm not going to flame you, but you got a lot of reading to do. Read up as much as you can on this site. Use the search option and read, read, read. If you have questions, i think this site has some of the most knowledgable fishkeepers around. As for your fish, a lot of people buy fish and don't know what their actual requirements are to lead a healthy life. Its not that they mean to hurt their fish, its just that they're uneducated (when it comes to fish).
I suggest taking the fish back and starting from scratch. Know what you're getting into before you buy a tank (cycling, weekly water changes, possible disease and treatment, feeding, tank maintainance). Fish are just like a dog or cat, they can't be neglected. If you decide you want one, look into a bigger tank (20g or bigger) and get the basics of fishkeeping (tank, heater, filter, dechlorinizor, testkit). Read up on cycling a tank, from the sounds of it i think its the first time you've heard the word. Research (websites, books, ask people) as much as you can about the fish you're interested in before you buy them. Don't believe everything the fish store people tell you. For the most part, they don't care about your tank, they just want to make a sale. Don't get me wrong though, there are probably numerous responsible employees out there. Theres so much to know, so just ask away!
As for your current tank, there seems to be many issues. A 5 gallon is much to small for the majority of fish. Your tank is cycling right now (read the sticky, i don't think i'll explain clearly). In other words, theres elements in the water (originating from your fish poop) that are stressing and harming your fish. Fish each have different requirements (swimming space, groups or solitary, compatability etc). Also, Flushing a living fish down the toilet is generally shunned. Its like flushing your dog down the toilet if it gets sick (i know, its not the same, but you get the idea).
Anyways, i probably missed a lot, so anyone chime in whenever! From the sounds of it, it seems like you're panicing. Good Luck, its a great hobby and welcome to AC!
I suggest taking the fish back and starting from scratch. Know what you're getting into before you buy a tank (cycling, weekly water changes, possible disease and treatment, feeding, tank maintainance). Fish are just like a dog or cat, they can't be neglected. If you decide you want one, look into a bigger tank (20g or bigger) and get the basics of fishkeeping (tank, heater, filter, dechlorinizor, testkit). Read up on cycling a tank, from the sounds of it i think its the first time you've heard the word. Research (websites, books, ask people) as much as you can about the fish you're interested in before you buy them. Don't believe everything the fish store people tell you. For the most part, they don't care about your tank, they just want to make a sale. Don't get me wrong though, there are probably numerous responsible employees out there. Theres so much to know, so just ask away!
As for your current tank, there seems to be many issues. A 5 gallon is much to small for the majority of fish. Your tank is cycling right now (read the sticky, i don't think i'll explain clearly). In other words, theres elements in the water (originating from your fish poop) that are stressing and harming your fish. Fish each have different requirements (swimming space, groups or solitary, compatability etc). Also, Flushing a living fish down the toilet is generally shunned. Its like flushing your dog down the toilet if it gets sick (i know, its not the same, but you get the idea).
Anyways, i probably missed a lot, so anyone chime in whenever! From the sounds of it, it seems like you're panicing. Good Luck, its a great hobby and welcome to AC!
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Sorry to hear about your problems. The good news is that fins grow back really quickly. I can't pick out my danio that a week ago I named Manx because he had no tail fin at all!
As for the Loach--they are generally friendly so it was a bit of an aberation, I expect, or a matter of overcrowding.
If you like fish and the platy and wish to save it I suggest you invest in a bigger tank. The 25 gallon you describe as "huge" is actually a good sized small aquarium. An aquarium that size is much easier to maintain than the 5 gallon you currently have. When I had one that size I was changing 50% of the water twice a week. The larger the aquarium the happier the fish and the easier it is on you. So I suggest you keep an eye out for a second-hand larger tank that comes with a filter. Around here, there are quite a few coming up all the time in the second-hand newspaper.
As for the platy I believe fungus is the main problem you need to look out for. Check online for faqs on it and possible medications.
The thing of it is you have what it takes to keep happy and healthy fish--you care about them. Just make it easier on yourself and have a larger tank that can take care of itself when you are busy. Good luck and I hope your platy pulls through.
As for the Loach--they are generally friendly so it was a bit of an aberation, I expect, or a matter of overcrowding.
If you like fish and the platy and wish to save it I suggest you invest in a bigger tank. The 25 gallon you describe as "huge" is actually a good sized small aquarium. An aquarium that size is much easier to maintain than the 5 gallon you currently have. When I had one that size I was changing 50% of the water twice a week. The larger the aquarium the happier the fish and the easier it is on you. So I suggest you keep an eye out for a second-hand larger tank that comes with a filter. Around here, there are quite a few coming up all the time in the second-hand newspaper.
As for the platy I believe fungus is the main problem you need to look out for. Check online for faqs on it and possible medications.
The thing of it is you have what it takes to keep happy and healthy fish--you care about them. Just make it easier on yourself and have a larger tank that can take care of itself when you are busy. Good luck and I hope your platy pulls through.
:thud: 
Well I agree with the above, def suggest bigger tank as the smaller the tank the harder to maintain sonds silly I know but it means that if any amonia/nitrite spike is gonna kick in and do potential devestation before you even notice. Fish keeping dosent need to be scary you just need a routine with your cleaning and feeding etc.
Have a look on amazon for some good beginer books which will give you all the basics of maintenance, stocking calculation so you dont over stock how to spot signs of illness and a lot of them also give brief discriptions on common fish in the hobby including aproximate adult size so you dont end up with them out growing your tank!
Be wary of a lot of barbs and tetras if you stay with your small tank as they are the worst culprits of fin nipping amounst small fish. Also the faster fish that normally like a bit more swimming room.
Try fish like your guppy,
blue neons
dwarf gourami (only one or one will bully the other)
a molly
a betta
Try to add a plant or rock to your tank so they do have the option of a hide away.
And next time you need to get rid of a fish pop it with some of the water from the tank in a little bag and pop it back to your LFS!
Have a look on amazon for some good beginer books which will give you all the basics of maintenance, stocking calculation so you dont over stock how to spot signs of illness and a lot of them also give brief discriptions on common fish in the hobby including aproximate adult size so you dont end up with them out growing your tank!
Be wary of a lot of barbs and tetras if you stay with your small tank as they are the worst culprits of fin nipping amounst small fish. Also the faster fish that normally like a bit more swimming room.
Try fish like your guppy,
blue neons
dwarf gourami (only one or one will bully the other)
a molly
a betta
Try to add a plant or rock to your tank so they do have the option of a hide away.
And next time you need to get rid of a fish pop it with some of the water from the tank in a little bag and pop it back to your LFS!
Thanks All
Thank you all for your advice - I have spent a couple of hours just reading up the sticky on beginner mistakes and cycle. I am trying not to get overwhelmed and will be shopping for a larger tank. I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming months and will be reading here and researching everything before I do it - I will also not be doing any impulse fish shopping. Thanks again I know everyone out there was a beginner once...
Thank you all for your advice - I have spent a couple of hours just reading up the sticky on beginner mistakes and cycle. I am trying not to get overwhelmed and will be shopping for a larger tank. I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming months and will be reading here and researching everything before I do it - I will also not be doing any impulse fish shopping. Thanks again I know everyone out there was a beginner once...
I can feel your frustration.....but you've taken a step in the right direction and asked for help. Try not to get too stressed out over this, as it seems like you have a lot on your plate with the little ones and all. Setting up a larger tank can be real easy and simple to maintain. Continue to educate yourself and ask questions.
Excellent news. Make sure you keep us updated with pics and stuff and dont forget you can allways come on here and ask questions.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Firstly, stop flying live fish down the toilet. That is woefully barbaric. Secondly, paragraphs are you friend. Please learn to use them. Lastly, it sounds like your finally learning the stuff you need to know for having these tanks. Maintaining them properly is a chore. When/if you get hte new tank, make sure you cycle it properly. Which could mean a while with no fish at all.
P.S. Please teach your kids that flushing live fish that "look" guilty is a very bad idea and decidedly immoral for a variety of reasons. :rant:
Lastly, it sounds like your finally learning the stuff you need to know for having these tanks. Maintaining them properly is a chore. When/if you get hte new tank, make sure you cycle it properly. Which could mean a while with no fish at all.P.S. Please teach your kids that flushing live fish that "look" guilty is a very bad idea and decidedly immoral for a variety of reasons. :rant:
Need answer to water questions before next change please!
I apologize for not using paragraphs - I was in a rant! I made many mistakes...
I do (always have done) my partial water changes weekly - is that enough? I usually remove a gallon with the gravel vac, change the filter and wipe down the walls of the tank with a pad (magnet thing). I always use the same tank specified stuff and always paper towels to wipe or dry anything.
Now I need to know more about my water though. Until my fish massacre, I never had tested my water and never had heard of cycling the tank until I already had fish for a long time. I am reading up on cycling before I get the new tank. This tank has had partial water changes since I bought it and I have never started over with new water because I heard that was bad. I had the platy and the guppie since Feb. - they were fine until eaten. Should I assume my water has been okay and cycled and begin a testing regimen now?
Also I don't use tap water for my tank because our city water is not good. By law they have to provide bottled water because of copper in the water - so I have been using distilled water to fill my tank. In our old house the water was also extremely hard - calcified and limey. Now we have a water softener in the new house and the city is drilling a new well to eliminate the copper. Our city water is also deemed not fit to drink due to high levels of nitrate. I have never used it because I thought that if it was not fit for us then therefore not for the fish... I don't want to use the softened water before I know if it's okay. I'm sure I will be crucified for my choice of water but I need to know - didn't read anything about this in cycling. This is at a very basic level of fishkeeping, I realize.
I do have a live plant which is just as green and gorgeous as ever and roots are about 6 inches long since first purchase (Feb also) doing very well. The leaves and stalk are still firm and glossy and my fish don't nibble. It seems to be doing well - having it is good for my tank right?
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to have found you all and this great site? :bowing:
I apologize for not using paragraphs - I was in a rant! I made many mistakes...
I do (always have done) my partial water changes weekly - is that enough? I usually remove a gallon with the gravel vac, change the filter and wipe down the walls of the tank with a pad (magnet thing). I always use the same tank specified stuff and always paper towels to wipe or dry anything.
Now I need to know more about my water though. Until my fish massacre, I never had tested my water and never had heard of cycling the tank until I already had fish for a long time. I am reading up on cycling before I get the new tank. This tank has had partial water changes since I bought it and I have never started over with new water because I heard that was bad. I had the platy and the guppie since Feb. - they were fine until eaten. Should I assume my water has been okay and cycled and begin a testing regimen now?
Also I don't use tap water for my tank because our city water is not good. By law they have to provide bottled water because of copper in the water - so I have been using distilled water to fill my tank. In our old house the water was also extremely hard - calcified and limey. Now we have a water softener in the new house and the city is drilling a new well to eliminate the copper. Our city water is also deemed not fit to drink due to high levels of nitrate. I have never used it because I thought that if it was not fit for us then therefore not for the fish... I don't want to use the softened water before I know if it's okay. I'm sure I will be crucified for my choice of water but I need to know - didn't read anything about this in cycling. This is at a very basic level of fishkeeping, I realize.
I do have a live plant which is just as green and gorgeous as ever and roots are about 6 inches long since first purchase (Feb also) doing very well. The leaves and stalk are still firm and glossy and my fish don't nibble. It seems to be doing well - having it is good for my tank right?
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to have found you all and this great site? :bowing: