ok, ok I pulled all the rookie mistakes. I listened to the people at the pet store, I let my tank run fishless for a day ( to be on the safe side! ) then I rushed out to buy some fish.(I did have a friend that saved me some hassle by giving me a scoop of gravel from his established tank. THANK GOD!) This all has happened this weekend and now I am sitting with two dead fish in a baggie waiting to be returned to the pet store and three fish who seem to be having a good time even though I don't have anything fun in the tank as of this moment. When I went to pick out fish I had no idea what I wanted and ended up coming home with 2 Kissing gouramis, a Red tailed shark and a silvery catfish (that I can;t seem to find a similar picture or on the internet anywhere), and the obligatory algea eater. I put the fish in while they were in the bag as to aclimate them and then they seemed great except for a sluggish gourami. an hour later that one died and two hours after that the other gourami died. The ph was a little alkali and the ammonia is not even reading, the temp got a little warm (almost 82) and I think that might have contributed to their demise. However, the other fish seem to be doing well. the catfish has been swimming around like crazy on the side of the tank. Is this normal? and the red shark has been cruising the currents caused by my biowheel. So, I guess I just need some info so that when I go to the store I know what I am gonna get this time. Apparently I picked some fish that don't go with everything ( aka the red shark) although he seems pretty mellow at moment. I am thinking that live plants arent gonna be worth the work I would have to put in and I am already feeling overwhelmed. Am I going to be ok with fake plants?What kind of fakes plants should I get? whatever I think looks good? do I need sand or a cave-like area for my catfish since he isn;t really ever on the bottom? why did my kissers die? what should I get to replace my dearly departed gouramis? I was thinking about some bleeding heart tetras ? 3 of them but I am not sure. should I get something heartier ( no pun intended ) ? thanks for your help!
Ok this is a giant post! WOW holy crap over 2000 words! man I am officially a fish nerd. lol.
Ok this is a giant post! WOW holy crap over 2000 words! man I am officially a fish nerd. lol.