Just bought my first fish!

Mikey101 said:
Okay. So give me some advice. It's a 5g tank filled pretty well to the top. The fish have been in it for a little over 24 hours. So until I get the needed supplies what do I need to do without killing my fish. If I need to change the water, how do I do so without stressing the fish out.
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for now just use a cup and scoop water out of the tank until you have taken out about 75%. turn your filter off while you are doing this. then fill up a bucket from the tap, making sure to match the temperature of the new water with the water in the tank. add the appropriate amount of dechlorinator for the amount of water in the bucket (check the label on the dechlor for amount needed). use the same cup to scoop and pour water into the tank.

you have gravel in the tank? don't disturb it too much for now, until your tank 'gets healthy'. helps to pour the new water into the tank down a tank wall.
 
Wow I would have never guessed you dont remove the fish. By the way, the guppies seem happy. The just follow each other around all day. They move to the bottom and top. But the molly just swims in the same spot all day long. It looks sad.
 
Mikey101 said:
Wow I would have never guessed you dont remove the fish. By the way, the guppies seem happy. The just follow each other around all day. They move to the bottom and top. But the molly just swims in the same spot all day long. It looks sad.
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Mollies are schooling fish. If you can, get a larger tank, and then, once its cycle, get 1-2 more mollies. But before that, check to see what gender it is. How long is the molly? I have tons (they breed... a lot) and it looks to be either a male or a younger one. It also appears to be a little unhealthy, its fins seem to be clamped in the picture you provided. Mollies are easy to care for, but harder then guppies, FME, so if any of the fish will die it will be that one, most likely.

Your tank hasn't gone through the cycle yet, so none of your fish will be perfectly healthy until thats over. Was the molly acting like that in the pet store? And does it actually have clamped fins (fins pulled against its body) or is that just the picture playing tricks on me?
 
All good sound advice here Mikey, you'll do well if you learn one valuable lesson here and now...

Most (NOT ALL) pet stores only care about selling you as much as possible.

Have Problem 'A'? Buy Remedy 'Z'.
Remedy 'Z' caused problem 'B'? Buy Treatment 'Y'
Problem 'B' wasn't fixed by Remedy 'Y'?, try 2 Drops of Treatment 'X' and half a bottle of Snake Oil 'W' and your good to go to buy fish XYZ that you have no room to keep in your tank.

These types of LFS (Local Fish Shop) get added to my never visit again list, over time you'll learn to spot the bad ones by the advice they give when you talk with them.
 
Okay so I just put some new water in there and dechlorinated it. The molly is being much more active and the guppys are still just as playful as ever. The Molly does seem to like the taste of shrimp though, he keeps following the shrimp around biting them. But has stopped for the time being. The Molly does seem to be more social with the guppys also. I am gonna post a video so you can see their behavior. Also yall forgot to mention I needed to put some more aquarium salt in there. But its cool I realized it.

Anyway check out the video and let me know how my fish look. And if you can tell the sexes let me know. But I doubt you will be able to.

Edit: Video will be here shortly.

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those guys look like they are doing good!!

They might be happier with some decorations ^_^ like plants
 
Welll, all looks ok so far, the guppies have really nice color.
Good luck kiddo, you'll get really good help on this forum, lot's
of really nice folk ready to help. As I gain experience I'm just hoping
I can help half as much as some of the members her do. Good luck with
your tank:)
 
That's great Mikey, they seem like they are doing much better =) I am glad you found AC, there's great people on here who can help you out as you venture into the fishy world. You will be addicted in no time!! :rofl:

Keep up with regular water changes for the time being (first couple weeks anyways) to make sure it cycles up and your fish stay healthy.

And yep, it is a myth that you should remove fish to clean the tank. The more you move around the fish the more it stresses them out, so let them stay put.. (imagine being scooped up ina giant net? Scaaaary!) ;) .. They will get more and more used to the water changes too. In fact, my guppy likes to come play with my hand when I vacuum my gravel now :)

And some decorations in the tank will help to keep your little guys entertained, they like to explore.

Good luck and enjoy them!!
 
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