I'm new, and need help stocking my 5 gallon

You guys have been quite helpful, I really appreciate this. Tons to learn I'll admit, but I'm not overwelmed, I'm a patient person usually, although I'll admit I was a bit fast with putting some of the fish in, I wasn't too sure about the cycling process that much, but I'm getting a better grip on it.

Talked to the girlfriend tonight and it looks like we might be able to get a 10 gallon soon. I'd love a 20 gallon, but my room is a bit too small for one really.

A 10 gallon would work however.

I have to admit though 1 of the Fruit Tetra died last night, and with them being almost $4 a pop and with the tank still cycling what would you guys suggest?

Would it be better to...I hate to say this but flush it? Or just leave it alone, to live a boring life without a school to swim about with?

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I'm also not sure what to do with the Gourami, I really don't feel like going into Walmart to take him back, I actually REALLY like him, unfornately you guys are right he grows to 6" WAY too big for my tank...he's pretty small now, like 2", So, I think I'll just leave him he seems to be doing alright thus far, and the Betta is doing fine as well. So, I'll do as you guys said and not get anymore fish for this 5 gallon.[/B]

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As for the 10 gallon, tell me if it sounds like these would work alright?

Tetra or Cherry Barbs x6
Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Red Fire Gourami or Red Paradise Fish x1
ADF x1
Small Bottom Feeder x1

OR

Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Red Fire Gourami x1
Red Paradise Fish x1
Female Betta x1
ADF x1
Small Bottom Feeder x1
 
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While you are thinking about more fish, take care of the ones you have... Do a 50-75% water change (properly dechlorinated if you are on City water) RIGHT NOW. The fish are gasping at the surface because the Ammonia that is surely at high levels in your water is impeding how much oxygen they can take in, and it will cause permanent damage and/or death if it continues.

You REALLY need to purchase a test kit, or at least some test strips to monitor this situation. With a tank that small and that many fish, you will likely need to do a LARGE water change EVERY day until your Ammonia and Nitrite is ZERO.

SirWired
 
I'll get some test kits at Petco. I did do a water change and it definately helped out. All the fish are now swimming around like they're supposed to be and not just staying at the top.
 
Don't feel bad this happens to alot of people. You see goldfish living in a bowl and you don't think about bacteria cycles. We had 2 goldfish and 1 snail in a 2.5 gallon, had an ammonia spike thru the roof! It wasn't until we went to get replacement fish that the one of the sales people said don't bother, whatever fish we bought would just die in an overcrowded tank anyway. At least you have some plants they suck up some of that ammonia in the water. When you get the 10 gal make sure you get some plants for it too, and if you some of the gravel from the 5 gal you can get a jump start on the cycle. And be prepared to do water testing and w/c's 2x a day, everyday. You'll probably want to go ahead and get some water conditioner to treat the ammonia. It won't get rid of the ammonia, but it converts it to a nontoxic form that is less stressful for the fish and lets them breath. Because it is still ammonia you're going to show positive readings everytime. Don't panic just keep doing water changes until the ammonia and nitrites come down.
 
As for the 10 gallon, tell me if it sounds like these would work alright?

Tetra or Cherry Barbs x6
Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Red Fire Gourami or Red Paradise Fish x1
ADF x1
Small Bottom Feeder x1

OR

Dwarf Gourami, Honey Gourami, Red Fire Gourami x1
Red Paradise Fish x1
Female Betta x1
ADF x1
Small Bottom Feeder x1

Does those work for the 10 gallon though? Something to that effect seemed to be the consensus amongst other online forums and online guides.
 
I think your first idea for the 10 gallon would be okay. The problem I'd be worried about with the second idea is that a gourami and a paradise fish might fight with each other because they are territorial and might see each other as competitors.
I like paradise fish obviously. :) They are fun because they're very hardy and seem intelligent for a fish (mine has learned to recognize me as the one who feeds him so he swims excitedly back and forth at the top of the tank when he sees me), but they can be aggressive so you have to be careful about what other fish you put them with.

I'm pretty sure that the white and black skirt tetras are cheaper than the dyed one if you want to get your fruit tetra more friends when the 10 gallon is cycled and he has moved into it (don't get any more yet!). However, even if you don't get any more tetras, keeping him alone would be better than flushing him. Flushing live fish is not a good way to dispose of them because the fish usually don't die right away so they will suffer a lot in the chlorine and cold water of the sewer systems before they die.
If you need to get rid of a fish (like if it has an incurable disease and seems to be suffering), there are a lot of discussions on this forum about more humane ways to euthanize them.
 
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