Need Help- Do not know what I'm doing

J

jamiejam312

Registered Member
Dec 29, 2009
4
0
0
in MD
Good Morning!

So I'll start from the begining. About a month ago my sisters bf got her a **** pink kissing fish. She had been keeping him in a bowl and he like didn't move at all, she then got another fish and that fish died with in a day. She came home for Xmas, so last week (Tuesday) I went out to PetSmart and we found out that the **** fish needs a heater and filter and to be in a tank! Well I bought a 10 gallon tank, heater, filter, gravel some cool little house thingies and a live plant he also let me leave with another pink kissing fish and a rainbow shark. I went back the next day (Xmas eve) and got a therometer (sp?) to keep an eye on the temp and some freeze dried shrimp and nasty *** blood worms and I also got to leave with another rainbow shark and a blue Gourami.

So, I have been doing research on the internet and bought a book about fish. Turns out the 2 rainbow sharks will kill each other when they become adults and I think the pink gouramis are semi-agressive. I also read about the cycling crap and really don't understand that. I have a test kit and have been keeping an eye on the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels along with the PH levels. I read your suppsoed to set up the tank first and well we weren't able to do that.

I also read I need a bigger tank 75 gallons which seems huge. I don't have that kind of money right now, I know ti's easier to care for a bigger tank.

My question is, I'm worried about the cycling. The **** sharks are already picking on each other alittle bit and our biggest pink gourami (Puff) is picking on our smallest pink gourami (Flash- he is fast!) and our blue Gourami (Violet). How long will the be OK in the 10 gallon tank? A week, 2? Also, what am I to do about the sharks- will they be OK in a bigger tank together? Would a 55 gallon tank work? Also, is it best to feed them live and frozen foods every once in a while? All 3 gouramis are starting to beg for food lol they are pigs, I feed them 3 times a day is that OK? Also, once I do get a bigger tank I am to let it sit for a few days with water and the filter right? Can I put more fish in it? What fish are best for a 10 gallon tank?

ANy suggestions and help you can give me I'd appreciate it.

As you see I have named all the fish (we have 1 albion shark named Cotton and 1 black shark named Blackie- lol).

I do love them already and want to do right by them.

Please help me!

Thank you!

*BTW- We have 8 cats and 4 dogs- we didn't know what the cats would do- but they LOVE the tank and the fish love them too lol- right now it's sitting on our countertop in the kitchen as thats the only place that was availble- we have a decent size spot elsewhere for a bigger tank- Would the tank be OK in the kitchen still though? The spot for the bigger tank gets adequate sun light- the sun doesn't shine directly on that spot)
 
I would return all the fish you have..they are not suitable at all for a 10 gallon tank.
 
Agreed. If you want to do right by them, return them. Anyone who suggested those fish for a 10 gallon should have their fish-selling license revoked. A ten gallon tank might ideally house 6 to maybe 12 SMALLER fish. You'll get some good advice here, but starting out with kissiing gouramis in a ten gallon isn't the way to go.
 
Thank you all SO much for your help. It is SO nice to see how PEOPLE CARE here. I will be unsubsciribing from this site. I thought coming here people would be NICE AND HELPFUL. But instead you make smart little comments. Hey Bob BIshop I hope someone RETURNS YOU BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

I AM NOT RETURNING THESE FISH . PEOPLE LEARN HOW TO READ. I AM ASKING FOR FRICKING SIMPLE ADVICE. INSTEAD I GET STUPID COMMENTS. LEARN HOW TO READ I ALREADY CARE FOR THESE FISH. THERE IS NO SENSE IN SENDING THEM BACK TO A **** PET STORE WHERE THEY WILL BE KEPT IN EVEN WORSE CONDITIONS. DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!????????? NO.

YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET OFF YOUR LITTLE HIGH HORSES AND ACTUALLY HELP SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO DO RIGHT FOR THEIR FISH.

I WILL ASK FOR ADVICE ELSWHERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WASTING MY TIME.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
No need to be that way. If you insist on keeping them, then you will need to get at least a 55 gallon tanks now, and you will still most likely have issues of aggression with the mixture of gourami.

And letting the tank sit for a few days with a filter will not cycle it and prepare it for fish. Though moving an established filter over from the 10 gallon may help start things off.

There are many small fish that will work in a 10 gallon tank...depending on your interests.
 
They were only trying to help you do what is best for the fish. If you cannot provide suitable conditions for the fish then maybe it is best you take them back so they can have a chance. If you REALLY wany to keep them you are going to need at least a 75 gallon tank as you previously stated. They will not be okay for long in that tank. It is going through a cycle right now, so you'll need to get a reliable liquid test kit and change water and do testing EVERY DAY if you want the fish to live. You should start looking for a good deal on a used 75 gallon tank if you can't afford a new one right away so that you can get it cycled and ready for the fish ASAP. I hope that helps.
 
Rbishop said:
No need to be that way. If you insist on keeping them, then you will need to get at least a 55 gallon tanks now, and you will still most likely have issues of aggression with the mixture of gourami.

And letting the tank sit for a few days with a filter will not cycle it and prepare it for fish. Though moving an established filter over from the 10 gallon may help start things off.

There are many small fish that will work in a 10 gallon tank...depending on your interests.
Click to expand...

All of this....:thumbsup:..

Start over and this forum will offer more advice with better direction and greater knowledge than almost any LFS...
 
I agree with the above, either get a new tank(75 g) or return the fish. With that many fish in a small uncycled tank, the ammonia will rise to deadly levels quickly. This will kill your fish unless you are doing large daily water changes even then you risk loosing the fish. A larger tank is easier because there is more water and more room for mistakes, but it will cost more money. I would return your fish and get some fish that are more suitable to the size tank you have. A 10 gallon is a nice size and you will have many options.
You can't get mad at people telling you the truth.
 
There are lots of great people here who would love to help you. I think Rbishop gave great advice as your tank is too small and you have way too many fish for a new(uncycled)tank. If you keep them all you will lose some or all of them.
 
Jamie - Out of complete respect for you and with no intention to offend you (sincerely...), with the current livestock you have, you are going to have to seriously consider upgrading your tank very soon. Just imagine this as a example for the choice of fishes you currently have -- it's like keeping a golden retriever in a small kennel. If you truly wish to keep the species of fish you already have, please please please consider upgrading your tank to something much bigger. I'm in no way trying to act or be righteous or pompous - it's out of concern for the species of fish that you have that will quickly outgrow the 10 gallon tank you have.

But to answer your questions:

Yes, it's okay that you're feeding the fish three times a day. No, I would not add any additional fish untill you are able to upgrade your tank. And yes, you will want to add water, run the filter, and add some sort of water conditioner into your new tank when you upgrade. A great water conditioner is Seachem's PRIME that can be found at Petco and at Petsmart. What fish are suitable for a 10 gallon? Guppies, corydoras, tetras, a betta, platies, mollies, otos, etc. Good luck! :)
 
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