my son was given a 1gl 'aquatic garden' fishtank. The friend who gave this to us told me that he'd had 2 goldfish in there with almost no maintenance. Now I've cleaned everything with vinegar and water(google), added Start Up, and ran out and bought two goldfish, 1 starter and 1 of the $2.50 variety. I tried to give them a good home(I'm a complete novice) and bought the little aquaman aerator, the little 3 gl mechanical filter, new gravel, etc. But upon doing research it seems I've already made about 3 MAJOR errors and one of my fish is paying the price(listing, no appetite).
#1. I now realize this 1 gallon tank is completely inadequate to hold goldfish. #2. I didn't get the filter until today(24 hours) and had no idea ammonia could build so quickly. Does the mechanical filter even help here? #3. I added both the fish AND the store water to my tank immediately without allowing them time to adjust.
So is the one fish a goner? Do I need to tell my son that his new tank is no good?
2007-03-19 17:25:39 · 8 answers · asked by pyle221 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Well thx all for the answers. Unfortunately, 'Orangie' did not make it through the night. After reading your answers and some more research of my own, the poor little fellow had New Tank Toxin Sickness, or at least that's what an online vet called it. He had the 'black smudge' on his fins apparently caused by toxic levels of ammonia. I did an immediate 50-60 percent water change and added some Ammo-Lock, start right, and slime coat inducer and at first he perked right up, but alas I found him on the bottom after another hour not breathing. I mean I'm no vet but he didn't move a muscle when I pulled him out of the tank. The good news is the other fish seems to be quite happy and I've learned more about goldfish in 24 hour than I even thought I'd know in my lifetime. And with that knowledge comes a desire to start this as a hobby of my own with a suitable tank. So 'Fred' should have a new home soon, and I think my son's tank is going to be home to a nice little betta.
R.I.P. Orangie
2007-03-20 09:07:02 · update #1
The simplest immediate solution is to put the two fish into a clean, larger container - a large plastic tub, picnic cooler, a 5 gallon bucket, etc. with about 1/2 of their water (tip the container up if it has a large botton area so you're fish are able to swim). Run tap water (warm and cold) to get approximately the same temperature and get some in an approximately 1 gallon container and add what you use to dechlorinate their water.
SLOWLY, add this to their container - going from bad to good too qickly isn't a good thing for them and will stress them even more. Do this as many times as necessary to give them a better volume. If you can get the filter on your container, so much the better - run it for oxygen and water movement as soon as the water's deep enough. You may want to keep a cover over the container to keep them from jumping if they have the notion.
Then, you can see about a better (larger) tank for them. If you get your fish into a larger volume soon, your fish may pull through. They can be pretty tough.
Below are some additional websites you may like for the future - covers disease, water chemistry, etc.
2007-03-19 18:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know it's hard when you learn these lessons the hard way. The problem with these starter 1 gallon aquariums is that they are completely unreasonable for the amount of fish most people are tempted to keep. They also falsely advertise an insane amount of fish on their boxes.
I think this would be a good time to help educate your son and yourself about fish keeping and the nitrogen cycle. If you want you could start by ditching the 1 gallon, donating the goldfish to your local fish store, and getting a decent setup. There are a few all-in-one brands that are easy to maintain and offer a decent amount of space to start with.
Marineland offers some setups that include an aquarium(3,5,6,12 gallon), a filter with included biowheel that I have had great experience with, and a lighted hood. This is a good first step. I got my first 5 gallon hex tank setup for about $30 at walmart.
Since you now know the importance of giving the aquarium time to colonize with beneficial bacteria, you can educate your son about this and then add some small hardy fish, maybe a betta, a small group of neon tetras, or some guppies.
If you do in fact stick with the one gallon aquarium, I would read up on fishless cycling and give away the goldfish, then when your tank is completely cycled and ready to be inhabited, add a betta or some other fish that is comfortable living singly and will remain rather small.
This hobby is a great way to learn about aquatic life, and also teaches a great deal of patience, and I wish you the best wishes in you and your sons endeavors!
2007-03-20 01:17:23 · answer #2 · answered by ME2010 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't tell you if the fish is going to live or die. It depends on what condition it was in when you got it. A good idea is to set something up, no matter what it is as long as it's big enough. Put some of the old water in there, add about the same amount of new water, dechlorinate it, and let it sit out over night. This will serve as a water change for you current tank as well. Go to walmart or a petstore and get some ammonia tablets. Break it in half and put one half in each tank/bowl. Should remove the ammonia in a matter of a couple of minutes. You may have to stir the one that is filterless. Get some stress coat to help the fish since they are probably in shock. Good luck!
A note, goldfish are harder to care for than they are made out to be. They are really bad starter fish. I know from experiance. I've made so many mistakes with my fish. If they don't make it, I'd suggest a betta. They are good and hardy.
As to why they sell those tanks.... they do very well for a single fish. I never put more than one fish in a 1 gallon tank. I usually put a betta in them because they are no schooling, add great color to my living room, and are used to much smaller conditions.
Listen to copperhead. He knows what he is talking about. He has given me a lot of good advice!
2007-03-20 00:41:36 · answer #3 · answered by Mommy to Boys 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK a key to a happy gold fish (in a bowl or other small tank you can carry) is to change his water with a dechlorinate daily. make sure the water is close to what he's in and if in a bowl don't fill to the top( they will go to the surface breathe) make sur the fish can at least turn around an swim 3 to 4 inch's. most important don't over feed. in a bowl feed him as much as he can get before it hits the bottom and keep in mind the size of his little belly. food make waist (ammonia) and the only way to remove it is physically(water change) the little filter's will help but rely on the old fashion way to ensure he stays happy
2007-03-20 00:40:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only way you can control ammonia at this stage is to change water almost daily.The water should be de-chlorinated and close to the same temperature as the water in the tank. Google Nitrogen Cycle to learn about long term ammonia control in the aquarium. Hope this helps.
2007-03-20 00:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
change half the water for lower the ammonia, eventually a bacteria colony will grow to process this ammonia but it takes weeks. regular partial water changes until then should help.
2007-03-20 00:36:09 · answer #6 · answered by nemesis_318 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
one fish per gallon, people tell big fibs , its called being hustled, one might die , but with careful watching and care one will live fine, Think about this if your friend kept 2 in the tank why did he give it to you
2007-03-20 00:34:57 · answer #7 · answered by gunter_thehunter 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you must. 1 gallon is far too small.
2007-03-20 03:02:33 · answer #8 · answered by oops1388 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋