Whistler225
10-05-2004, 2:20 PM
it appears I have a space issue where my goldfish are concerned. After reading several threads in this forum, and seeing what size recommendations most folks around here have, I need some help to make sure I'm treating the fish I have right. Let me tell you guys what I have right now.
55G
Penguin 300
heated to 78
air pump
rock formations X3, 2 medium river rocks, a 6" lighthouse, and a small Jaguar skull
1/4 inch substrate, 1/4 inch deep
15" Giant Gourami
2" Blood Parrot
3" Pleco
29G
Topfin 30 (it was a kit)
heater (78 degrees)
air pump
medium decor, fake plants and rock, coral, etc
1/4 inch substrate, 1" deep
1 4" Oranda
3 1" commons
4 1/2-1" Red Minor Tetras
1 4" pleco
now, here is how I came about rhis mess:
I bought the 29 gallon as an upgrade from a 10, which had three commons and a BGK in it.....the BGK got stuck on some decor and died during the night (first fish loss....it sucks :-( so I put the three commons in the 29G, thinking that would be ok (I was using the inch rule....didn't know any better then) and added the Oranda. My boss lost interest in fish keeping and gave me all of his stuff. I wasn't expecting that stuff to include all of his fish as well. everything was a complete disgusting disaster when I got there to pick it up....two 55 Gallon tanks, the Giant Gourami, the Parrot, and one of the four Tetras I now have. The equipment and tanks had obviously not seen any maintenance in some time (neither of the filters was even moving water), the heater in the Gourami tank was actually broken, but I didn't know until I had drained about half the slimy green water out of it and used a bucket to catch the Gourami (he fought me, but I was gentle), and put him into a ten gallon moving tank for the ride home. So needless to say I was surprised these fish were even still alive, especially the Gourami, who has a defect I can only think is the result of a bacterial infection that ran its course. He now has two mouths, both of which are crooked and neither of which open very wide. He can get pelets into his mouth, but nothing bigger (which is why the two smaller fish in the tank are still alive. He chases them, but he can't catch or hurt them). And one lonely Tetra....I have no idea why he thought that would be ok. So basically, this became a lame attempt to rescue these fish, and get one 55G setup up and running from what he gave me (the other 55G tank cracked and started leaking so I had to stop using it).
Can anyone tell me what I should do? I was actually considering putting one or two of the commons in the tank with the Gourami. They are quicker than the Oranda, and probably Popeye (the Gourami, I named him that because of his crooked mouth)...and it would even up the tank usage a bit.
I am also aware that the 55G is a bit small for the Gourami, but he's been in it for at least 2 years now, and at least now the water is clean. Until I can build the tank I am planning (probably 3-400 gallons, wall tank is what I'm going to try), I can't do much about the Gourami.....he can turn in the tank, and he seems happy, so I'm hoping he'll be ok for now.
I'm sure there will be other questions about my setup, because I'm sure I've left out something important. Any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.
55G
Penguin 300
heated to 78
air pump
rock formations X3, 2 medium river rocks, a 6" lighthouse, and a small Jaguar skull
1/4 inch substrate, 1/4 inch deep
15" Giant Gourami
2" Blood Parrot
3" Pleco
29G
Topfin 30 (it was a kit)
heater (78 degrees)
air pump
medium decor, fake plants and rock, coral, etc
1/4 inch substrate, 1" deep
1 4" Oranda
3 1" commons
4 1/2-1" Red Minor Tetras
1 4" pleco
now, here is how I came about rhis mess:
I bought the 29 gallon as an upgrade from a 10, which had three commons and a BGK in it.....the BGK got stuck on some decor and died during the night (first fish loss....it sucks :-( so I put the three commons in the 29G, thinking that would be ok (I was using the inch rule....didn't know any better then) and added the Oranda. My boss lost interest in fish keeping and gave me all of his stuff. I wasn't expecting that stuff to include all of his fish as well. everything was a complete disgusting disaster when I got there to pick it up....two 55 Gallon tanks, the Giant Gourami, the Parrot, and one of the four Tetras I now have. The equipment and tanks had obviously not seen any maintenance in some time (neither of the filters was even moving water), the heater in the Gourami tank was actually broken, but I didn't know until I had drained about half the slimy green water out of it and used a bucket to catch the Gourami (he fought me, but I was gentle), and put him into a ten gallon moving tank for the ride home. So needless to say I was surprised these fish were even still alive, especially the Gourami, who has a defect I can only think is the result of a bacterial infection that ran its course. He now has two mouths, both of which are crooked and neither of which open very wide. He can get pelets into his mouth, but nothing bigger (which is why the two smaller fish in the tank are still alive. He chases them, but he can't catch or hurt them). And one lonely Tetra....I have no idea why he thought that would be ok. So basically, this became a lame attempt to rescue these fish, and get one 55G setup up and running from what he gave me (the other 55G tank cracked and started leaking so I had to stop using it).
Can anyone tell me what I should do? I was actually considering putting one or two of the commons in the tank with the Gourami. They are quicker than the Oranda, and probably Popeye (the Gourami, I named him that because of his crooked mouth)...and it would even up the tank usage a bit.
I am also aware that the 55G is a bit small for the Gourami, but he's been in it for at least 2 years now, and at least now the water is clean. Until I can build the tank I am planning (probably 3-400 gallons, wall tank is what I'm going to try), I can't do much about the Gourami.....he can turn in the tank, and he seems happy, so I'm hoping he'll be ok for now.
I'm sure there will be other questions about my setup, because I'm sure I've left out something important. Any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.