Yes take out all of the black carbon. It will end up absorbing the meds. If there is a sponge leave that in. You can also go out and by some filter floss (polyester batting) and fill the filter with that as well. It is a very good substance that I use in all of my filters. In fact many people don't use carbon at all intheir filter unless they want to remove meds. So when you are done the treatment you put carbon in and do water changes.
Urgent Help Most Appreciated!!
- Thread starter treacle
- Start date
What Spots??? When Did you see spots??? 
Are they on various parts of the fish?
Or just on the gill covers and pectoral fins?? if so they are likely to be spawning tubercles and the fish is in breeding condition.
If they are all over the fish in various places then they might be ich.
By the way love their names
Hope this helps
Regards
Polly
Are they on various parts of the fish?
Or just on the gill covers and pectoral fins?? if so they are likely to be spawning tubercles and the fish is in breeding condition.
If they are all over the fish in various places then they might be ich.
By the way love their names
Hope this helps
Regards
Polly
I'm joining this conversation a bit late but I'd like to tell you that 10 quid for a black moor is quite a rip-off! But, you've grown attached to it by now so there's no turning back. How big is your fish tank by the way? I don't remember reading about that. For your tank you can buy a tank divider that is quite thin and the water flows through it for pretty cheap.. I'd say about 4 to 10 pounds at the most. But that's only necessary if your fish can't get along. I was thinking, though, that since your goldfish had the tank first that it would account for why it is so destructive and aggressive. But here's some advice that should help- turn off your lights for a long time in your fish room, twenty hours is good if you can go that long. It makes the fish relax or sleep and just get used to eachother's company without getting violent. It is VERY unlikely that the goldfish'll kill your moor but I'm sure you would prefer for it to not be hassled all day long. Spruce up your tank a bit and I'm sure they'll be fine!
That's quite a coincidence because I discovered for the first time today that when the light is left off for a long time, both fish settled down and they appeared to be having a little kip on the bottom (although with their eyes always wide open, I wondered whether they do actually sleep at all?)
Since I am sure you are all waiting with baited breath javascript:smilie('') you will be pleased to hear that both fish are getting on a lot better after five days together.
The goldfish still chases the Moor every now and then, but it seems to have accepted its tank mate and the behavious appears more playful than aggressive.
The tank we inherited is according to the chart 13.8 gallons (2ft x 1ft x 15 inches)
I am not sure the price of the Moor was such a rip-off, as the small Moors were only £3.50 but since the Goldfish has a body about 3inches long with another 3inches of fin at the rear (could I be right in thinking that with her wispy rear fin that is a lot less uniform and rigid looking to all the other Goldfish I saw in the pet shop, he/she could be of the Veiltail variety?), I thought I should get a similarly sized mate, so I paid a tenner for the one biggish Moor in the shop (about 4-5 inches from tip to tail)
While it is only the pet shop on our doorstep and since he doesn't carry much stock, I can't imagine it is particularly cheap to buy in there (as all his dog stuff is slightly more than elsewhere but I guess you are paying for the convenience). However I'd be surprised if he had mad prices, because he's quite a decent chap
Funnily enough, he has another job and is finding that he can no longer manage the running of this pet shop, so we have been giving some serious thought to making him an offer and taking it over from him. It's just an idea right now, but since the fish are I imagine a substantial part of his business, I guess I would have to become a lot more clued up on the subject (although we have quite a lot of ideas to try and expand the rest of the business,, where he hasn't been able to make much of an effort)
Hence I would be extremely grateful for the benefit of anyone's experience in the business of maintaining a retail stock of fish, so that I might at least consider the matter from a point of being a little bit better informed than I am now (where what I know about the business could be written on the back of a matchbox!!)
Mind you it is a bit of an extreme measure just to get myself some cheap fish! javascript:smilie('
')
Finally I am going to leave our two fish to get to know one another for a couple of weeks, but I am curious to hear other people's suggestions for introducing a couple more aquatic animals.
I am definitely not going to put in many more, as I like the idea that they have plenty of room to swim without bumping into one another, but I am curious as to the numbers this size of tank can comfortably sustain?
I wish I hadn't mentioned the whole Ich matter to my missus, as no sooner had I read about it than I began to see white dots everywhere. Actually on the goldfish in particular, but I am still not certain if they weren't there to start with (or perhaps they resulted from the stress of the last week, being carried in a small goldfish bowl about a couple of miles, only to eventually end up back in its original tank
Mind you I would have thought the Moor was a far more likely candidate for any problems because I would have thought that there would have been plenty of the necessary micro organisms in the gravel that was still in the tank when we got it. Also while I have added a couple of real pieces of greenery, the tank came with an assortment of furnishings and so all I added was the water (which I assume must have exactly the same contents as what both fish were used to, when they both previously resided in water that must all come from the same source
Meanwhile I've been prattling on for long enough and better sign off before I bore you all to sleep
Thanks as ever for your suggestions
Kind regards
Bernard
Since I am sure you are all waiting with baited breath javascript:smilie('
') you will be pleased to hear that both fish are getting on a lot better after five days together.The goldfish still chases the Moor every now and then, but it seems to have accepted its tank mate and the behavious appears more playful than aggressive.
The tank we inherited is according to the chart 13.8 gallons (2ft x 1ft x 15 inches)
I am not sure the price of the Moor was such a rip-off, as the small Moors were only £3.50 but since the Goldfish has a body about 3inches long with another 3inches of fin at the rear (could I be right in thinking that with her wispy rear fin that is a lot less uniform and rigid looking to all the other Goldfish I saw in the pet shop, he/she could be of the Veiltail variety?), I thought I should get a similarly sized mate, so I paid a tenner for the one biggish Moor in the shop (about 4-5 inches from tip to tail)
While it is only the pet shop on our doorstep and since he doesn't carry much stock, I can't imagine it is particularly cheap to buy in there (as all his dog stuff is slightly more than elsewhere but I guess you are paying for the convenience). However I'd be surprised if he had mad prices, because he's quite a decent chap
Funnily enough, he has another job and is finding that he can no longer manage the running of this pet shop, so we have been giving some serious thought to making him an offer and taking it over from him. It's just an idea right now, but since the fish are I imagine a substantial part of his business, I guess I would have to become a lot more clued up on the subject (although we have quite a lot of ideas to try and expand the rest of the business,, where he hasn't been able to make much of an effort)
Hence I would be extremely grateful for the benefit of anyone's experience in the business of maintaining a retail stock of fish, so that I might at least consider the matter from a point of being a little bit better informed than I am now (where what I know about the business could be written on the back of a matchbox!!)
Mind you it is a bit of an extreme measure just to get myself some cheap fish! javascript:smilie('
')Finally I am going to leave our two fish to get to know one another for a couple of weeks, but I am curious to hear other people's suggestions for introducing a couple more aquatic animals.
I am definitely not going to put in many more, as I like the idea that they have plenty of room to swim without bumping into one another, but I am curious as to the numbers this size of tank can comfortably sustain?
I wish I hadn't mentioned the whole Ich matter to my missus, as no sooner had I read about it than I began to see white dots everywhere. Actually on the goldfish in particular, but I am still not certain if they weren't there to start with (or perhaps they resulted from the stress of the last week, being carried in a small goldfish bowl about a couple of miles, only to eventually end up back in its original tank
Mind you I would have thought the Moor was a far more likely candidate for any problems because I would have thought that there would have been plenty of the necessary micro organisms in the gravel that was still in the tank when we got it. Also while I have added a couple of real pieces of greenery, the tank came with an assortment of furnishings and so all I added was the water (which I assume must have exactly the same contents as what both fish were used to, when they both previously resided in water that must all come from the same source
Meanwhile I've been prattling on for long enough and better sign off before I bore you all to sleep
Thanks as ever for your suggestions
Kind regards
Bernard
As much fun as it is having lots of fish, I would say don't add more fish. Normally it is suggested to keep 1 goldfish per 10 gallons of water. So you are full now. That is due to the mess and the fact that they will get bigger. Probbaly 6-7 inches for fancy goldfish. Add some nice decorations and it will be nice.
One thing you can do if you end up buying the petstore is make sure to keep the cleanest tanks around. I know that there is nothing I hate more than dead fish and dirt all over tanks. Nice big clean tanks will keep a person like me coming back for more.
One thing you can do if you end up buying the petstore is make sure to keep the cleanest tanks around. I know that there is nothing I hate more than dead fish and dirt all over tanks. Nice big clean tanks will keep a person like me coming back for more.
£10 for a black moor a rip off??
It very much depends on the fish and where it was bred.
Price for a nice 4-5" fish bred in Britain would start at around £10 a good quality fish could cost much more.
The same fish imported from Singapore/Hong Kong would cost around the same price but not be of the same standard as the British fish (show standards are different here to China/ Japan.)
Unfortunately prices are higher in Britain than over the pond. We get ripped off for everything.
These days if I want to buy something, if its small enough, I usually find its cheaper to order it online from America and pay shipping costs
It very much depends on the fish and where it was bred.
Price for a nice 4-5" fish bred in Britain would start at around £10 a good quality fish could cost much more.
The same fish imported from Singapore/Hong Kong would cost around the same price but not be of the same standard as the British fish (show standards are different here to China/ Japan.)
Unfortunately prices are higher in Britain than over the pond. We get ripped off for everything.
These days if I want to buy something, if its small enough, I usually find its cheaper to order it online from America and pay shipping costs
"These days if I want to buy something, if its small enough, I usually find its cheaper to order it online from America and pay shipping costs"
I assume you don't get fish in this fashion
''
Subsequent to having done my first 10 per cent clean of the tank, I have some more queries (surprise, surprise '
')
Firstly why only 10 per cent and does it matter it you remove and add a little more? Also would I be right in assuming there must be a better method than sticking the golfishbowl that the fish came in a few times and then using this in the same fashion to refill the tank from the tap?
I was going to wait for the monthly (fourth week) clean before getting the little shovel with the tube on it (gravel cleaning gadget, but if this is usable for the weekly one, then I guess I should get it now. Or is there something else more suitable?
Also is the gravel cleaning gadget just that, a shovel with a piece of tubing attached where you put the other end in a bucket lower than the tank and if so, am I right in thinking you need to suck to get it started. I hope not because this reminds me of my youth and a similar process where I invariably ended up with a mouthful of petrol and I don't fancy doing likewise with water full of golfish doings!! ''
I added more than the recomended amount of AquaSafe, the anti-chlorine treatment I was sold, because I didn't have it when I originally filled the tank. Should I always add a few drops whenever I top up the tank with tap water? (if the claims on this little bottle are to be believed - heal wounds, relieve stress etc.etc, then it must be a bloody panacea and I fully expect to find them playing the 'joanna' in the morning! '')
As suggested I washed the sponge/foam from the filter in the water I removed from the tank, but while giving it a rub and squeezing it out, I wasn't sure at what point I stopped cleaning the goldfish doings out and began washing out the good bacteria (I assumed that the dark patches on the bright blue sponge were crap?), so any advice would be most welcome
Finally (I hope!'') it was only after I'd started and noticed the carbon was missing when I took the sponge out that I realized it might not be the best thing having only started the 'Anti White Spot Plus' treatment on Thursday night? It occurred to me that I would be diluting the amount of the treatment in the water? The second dose is due four days after (on Monday night) and then according to the instructions, I am to leave the carbon out for a further seven days (is that because it reacts with the carbon, as it appears very toxic and I'm surprised it doesn't kill the fish as well as the bugs!)
Oh yes one other thing! The small transparent plastic tube (@ 2/3 inches) which fits on top of the filter and I guess draws air in, is not a particularly snug fit (especially as it is being bent by the tank lid) and so it keepd falling off when I remove the filter. Every time I stick my hand in to the tank to retrieve it from the bottom, or have any other cause to put my hands in the water, my missus freaks out, saying that the fish will get nicotine poisonning from my often disgustingly stained fingers (if I haven't had a go at them with the pumice stone recently - yugh, hope you've already had your brekkie!), or some other germs from off my hairy forearms, or my pinkie ring? I therefore wondered whether I need to avoid putting my hands in the tank and if so how does one go about doing stuff, eg. moving the furniture after the Moor has sucked up all the stones and uncovered the base of the plastic plants
I am sure I will think of loads more things I wanted to ask the moment I hit the send key...oh yeh, I read the advice about 1 fish per 10 gallons but we were talking about getting another couple of small fishes once these two had settled down in there, would this be in any way cruel, or would we be asking for trouble having two 3/4 inch fishes and a couple of tiddlers in a tank which is 2ft x 1ft x 15". Also is there any way of knowing how big the Goldfish and the Moor will get (as in the way one can check the paw size of a puppy to get a clue) and at what point would one be forced to transfer the fish to a bigger tank (not really an option) or give the to the pet shop?
And one more thing (!!). When I was flapping the other night about the 2 fishes fighting, I posted on all the fishy sites I could find (except those for people interested in sticking a great big hook in their mouths rather than looking after them - has it been proved yet whether fish feel pain?), as I was panicking so much that I wanted an immediate answer.
On one of these, I recieved a reply where the person told me that the Moor was a salt water fish and without salt in my water, the PH value could end up killing it? I couldn't believe this as I don't think the feller in the pet shop would have stitched me up, so does anyone know what this person was talking about because he sure succeded in winding me up to the point where I was concerned for the Moor's welfare?
Enough from me for the time being. '' Are all us aquatic virgins such a pain in the bum when breaking our tank cherry?
TTFN
Bernard
PS. At least I've now learnt how to use the 'smiies' correctly
I assume you don't get fish in this fashion
'
'Subsequent to having done my first 10 per cent clean of the tank, I have some more queries (surprise, surprise '
')Firstly why only 10 per cent and does it matter it you remove and add a little more? Also would I be right in assuming there must be a better method than sticking the golfishbowl that the fish came in a few times and then using this in the same fashion to refill the tank from the tap?
I was going to wait for the monthly (fourth week) clean before getting the little shovel with the tube on it (gravel cleaning gadget, but if this is usable for the weekly one, then I guess I should get it now. Or is there something else more suitable?
Also is the gravel cleaning gadget just that, a shovel with a piece of tubing attached where you put the other end in a bucket lower than the tank and if so, am I right in thinking you need to suck to get it started. I hope not because this reminds me of my youth and a similar process where I invariably ended up with a mouthful of petrol and I don't fancy doing likewise with water full of golfish doings!! '
'I added more than the recomended amount of AquaSafe, the anti-chlorine treatment I was sold, because I didn't have it when I originally filled the tank. Should I always add a few drops whenever I top up the tank with tap water? (if the claims on this little bottle are to be believed - heal wounds, relieve stress etc.etc, then it must be a bloody panacea and I fully expect to find them playing the 'joanna' in the morning! '
')As suggested I washed the sponge/foam from the filter in the water I removed from the tank, but while giving it a rub and squeezing it out, I wasn't sure at what point I stopped cleaning the goldfish doings out and began washing out the good bacteria (I assumed that the dark patches on the bright blue sponge were crap?), so any advice would be most welcome
Finally (I hope!'
') it was only after I'd started and noticed the carbon was missing when I took the sponge out that I realized it might not be the best thing having only started the 'Anti White Spot Plus' treatment on Thursday night? It occurred to me that I would be diluting the amount of the treatment in the water? The second dose is due four days after (on Monday night) and then according to the instructions, I am to leave the carbon out for a further seven days (is that because it reacts with the carbon, as it appears very toxic and I'm surprised it doesn't kill the fish as well as the bugs!)Oh yes one other thing! The small transparent plastic tube (@ 2/3 inches) which fits on top of the filter and I guess draws air in, is not a particularly snug fit (especially as it is being bent by the tank lid) and so it keepd falling off when I remove the filter. Every time I stick my hand in to the tank to retrieve it from the bottom, or have any other cause to put my hands in the water, my missus freaks out, saying that the fish will get nicotine poisonning from my often disgustingly stained fingers (if I haven't had a go at them with the pumice stone recently - yugh, hope you've already had your brekkie!), or some other germs from off my hairy forearms, or my pinkie ring? I therefore wondered whether I need to avoid putting my hands in the tank and if so how does one go about doing stuff, eg. moving the furniture after the Moor has sucked up all the stones and uncovered the base of the plastic plants
I am sure I will think of loads more things I wanted to ask the moment I hit the send key...oh yeh, I read the advice about 1 fish per 10 gallons but we were talking about getting another couple of small fishes once these two had settled down in there, would this be in any way cruel, or would we be asking for trouble having two 3/4 inch fishes and a couple of tiddlers in a tank which is 2ft x 1ft x 15". Also is there any way of knowing how big the Goldfish and the Moor will get (as in the way one can check the paw size of a puppy to get a clue) and at what point would one be forced to transfer the fish to a bigger tank (not really an option) or give the to the pet shop?
And one more thing (!!). When I was flapping the other night about the 2 fishes fighting, I posted on all the fishy sites I could find (except those for people interested in sticking a great big hook in their mouths rather than looking after them - has it been proved yet whether fish feel pain?), as I was panicking so much that I wanted an immediate answer.
On one of these, I recieved a reply where the person told me that the Moor was a salt water fish and without salt in my water, the PH value could end up killing it? I couldn't believe this as I don't think the feller in the pet shop would have stitched me up, so does anyone know what this person was talking about because he sure succeded in winding me up to the point where I was concerned for the Moor's welfare?
Enough from me for the time being. '
' Are all us aquatic virgins such a pain in the bum when breaking our tank cherry?TTFN
Bernard
PS. At least I've now learnt how to use the 'smiies' correctly
The exact amount of water is not that important--more is actually better. I do weekly changes of about 25% on all my tanks--larger changes are only done as needed (can't recall the last one on my oldest tank) for disease, large cleaning, etc. I use 2 large tubs--siphon the water into one for use on my garden and plants, and then a second to bring the new water in (after treating it for chlorine, of course). The siphon/grval cleaners are great, and used for all my tank cleaning. You can submerge the entire gadget--hose and all-with water, then cover one end with your thumb and direst it to the tub. This starts the siphon without having drink with your fish as well.
Yep, the dechlorinator should be used for most water changes. The chlorine can be gassed off through aeration, or leaving it in a open mouthed container overnight--not a bad idea, as this will also bring the water to room temperature. The additional claims are mostly silly-they shouldn't harm the fish, but I wouldn't expect to see them beating you at chess any time soon.
I always wash my hands, and rinse them twice in very hot water before I put them in the tank--and repeat this after doing maintenance as well. While there are not many diseases you could introduce, there are a number of toxins such as soap, hair spray, oils, and such. Also, there are nasties that you can pick up from the tank--though this really is a very infrequent occurance.
You will really have to scrub to get rid of the bacteria. They are tough buggers, and on more than just the surface of the sponge. Short of damage to the sponge, you shouldn't be shy about cleaning it off. Basically, the bacteria are too small to see--if you see guck, it probably ain't them.
I wouldn't add more fish to this tank. The fancy goldies will get to about 6-8 inches, depending on their water conditions and feeding. You won't find many fish that will fit in there with them and not be a possible meal (goldies don't normally eat fish, but it's been known to happen). This is one reason why those of us hooked by fish end up with numerous tanks (I have a total of 9 tanks running right now).
The poster who said your moor was a SW fish was a bit confused--there is a SW fish called a Moorish Idol, but it is in no way related to the Moor you own. Aside from needing SW, Moorish Idols are extremely delicate fish that have very poor survival rates in the aquarium--and you would have paid way more then 10 pounds for one--last one I saw went for about $500 American.
Yep, the dechlorinator should be used for most water changes. The chlorine can be gassed off through aeration, or leaving it in a open mouthed container overnight--not a bad idea, as this will also bring the water to room temperature. The additional claims are mostly silly-they shouldn't harm the fish, but I wouldn't expect to see them beating you at chess any time soon.
I always wash my hands, and rinse them twice in very hot water before I put them in the tank--and repeat this after doing maintenance as well. While there are not many diseases you could introduce, there are a number of toxins such as soap, hair spray, oils, and such. Also, there are nasties that you can pick up from the tank--though this really is a very infrequent occurance.
You will really have to scrub to get rid of the bacteria. They are tough buggers, and on more than just the surface of the sponge. Short of damage to the sponge, you shouldn't be shy about cleaning it off. Basically, the bacteria are too small to see--if you see guck, it probably ain't them.
I wouldn't add more fish to this tank. The fancy goldies will get to about 6-8 inches, depending on their water conditions and feeding. You won't find many fish that will fit in there with them and not be a possible meal (goldies don't normally eat fish, but it's been known to happen). This is one reason why those of us hooked by fish end up with numerous tanks (I have a total of 9 tanks running right now).
The poster who said your moor was a SW fish was a bit confused--there is a SW fish called a Moorish Idol, but it is in no way related to the Moor you own. Aside from needing SW, Moorish Idols are extremely delicate fish that have very poor survival rates in the aquarium--and you would have paid way more then 10 pounds for one--last one I saw went for about $500 American.
