how many cleaning fish do I need?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank. I did have 2 cleaning fish along with 2 goldfish. One of the goldfish recently died. Just a few minutes ago
I discovered one of my cleaning fish was dead. Is it possible the gold fish killed the little fish? And do fish need companions?

Answer 1

Having 2 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank is overstocked enough that any additional fish will just cause the tank to become that much more deadly. Fancy goldfish need a minimum of 10 gallons each when babies and single tailed goldfish need a minimum of 20 gallons each when babies. If the cleaning fish was a common pleco they not only aren't compatible with goldfish since they like to eat their slime coat and can kill them but they need 55 gallons. Cleaning fish aren't even needed anyway, since they don't eat the poo that collects in the gravel you still need to do weekly gravel vacs and water changes, they also add to the poo so you will actually be cleaning more with them. So with all of those fish in there the ammonia was and could still be up so high that it is poisoning your fish and killing them. If you would like the fish that are still alive to live then I suggest getting them a bigger tank and reading up about cycling a tank.

Answer 2

You don't have to buy one, I have had goldfish for over 30 years and have never had any! Just maintain a clean tank (replace 30% of the water once a month), don't put too many fish in one tank, follow the 10 gallon 10 inches of fish rule and you will be OK. Besides that, goldfish are really good about keeping their home clean. Keep the filter clean and bubbles going and you and your fish will be just fine. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

I have owned a large variety of fish and usually when one fish is sick and dies at least one other fish gets sick and dies also since many fish are usually kept in the same tank they are very succeptible to disease. I have discovered that cleaner fish are very hardy fish because I have one cleaner fish and I have had him for about 3 years and I've gone through about 50 guppies in that time period. I <3 my cleaner fish and I only have him and 3 goldfish and 3 catfish.

Answer 4

It's highly unlikely that the goldfish killed the other fish. It sounds like your tank hasn't finished cycling yet.

When you set up a new tank it goes through the nitrogen cycle.
http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12
During this period different types of bacteria are multiplying in the tank and they will break down the fish wastes. Until the tank has cycled the fish will excrete ammonia which is highly toxic to fish.

You should have your tank water tested for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates to see where it is in the cycling process.

Answer 5

I actually have a million chinese language algae eater and a million pletco in a 10 gallon tank. there isn't any alga contained in the tank what so ever. They sparkling the tank rather sturdy and devour all the foodstuff that the different fish don`t devour therefore scuffling with the upward push of algae. in case you opt for merely a million fish a chinese language algae eater is your perfect determination

Answer 6

yes and for a 10 gallon tank 3-4

Answer 7

I would say it's probably good to have about 2...that's how many I had when I had a 10 gallon tank.

Answer 8

yes gold fish have a lot of ammonia in there poo and that can kill many kids of fish including allgea eaters ( cleaning fish) you need strong filter if you dont have one allready and you also need good airiation (air pumps)

Answer 9

one fish really to clean a catfish is fine being alone. also ask your pet store how many each breed requires.

Answer 10

yes and probably 4