SheetalA

Hi,

I am new to this ...a complete novice & dint know that setting up an aquarium needed so much effort & patience. I bought a 29 lt tank, set it up with a filter & light, added water conditioner to the water before filling the tank (for chlorine) & then added 5 new fishes, which I now realise was my biggest blunder. Here in Dubai (middle east), fishes are sold without giving any guidelines & property maintenance guidelines. I added 3 comet goldfish & 2 silver shark. My 1st goldfish died within 24 hours & the other 2 goldfish looked sick right from the start with white grains, mucousy coating on their body. The silver shark were always nipping them. This tank has been up and running for 3 days only. I have no clues about pH, ammonia, nitrite readings as I only heard about them now. I lost another goldfish yesterday night, took the two silver shark back to the shop (coz I was stressed out with their aggressive behaviour) & am just left with one goldfish now (which looks really sick & beyond help, it's only a matter of time). The only thing I did yesterday was change the water - about 15% of the tank size. The tank has plastic plants & gravel, which is medium sized stones. I know that I will lose this fish too. My hubby wants me to give it up & return the tank to the petshop(which they may not accept). I would want to try & make this work. The worst part is most of these shops don't know or don't divulge information. The shop guy told me yesterday, that the fish had fallen sick because the water was too cold. (where as they were sick with a skin disease before I got them from the shop). Is my tank infected? How do I rectify it? Do I add a new fish if I lose this one? I'm not even sure if these guys will have kits for monitioring ammonia, nitrites etc. Atmospheric temperature varies between 14 to 22 degrees celsius...will that help. The water is cold in the tap. If I get new fish, what do I look for? What kind? Mostly goldfish are only available here. Should I give it upPlease help urgently!!!

Angela_96

Your tank is to small for that livestock. A goldfish by itself needs a 20g tank, then 10g for each goldfish after that. The Other fish that you have in it are too aggressive to be with goldfish, plus they are tropical fish and need a heater to get the temp at least 76-78 degrees.

There is a great explanation of the nitrogen cycle on the fishlore start page, one thing that I reccomend is cycling your tank w/o fish in it. Also getting a test kit to check your ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates to watch how far through the cycle you are and what you need to do. The kits can be ordered off the internet if your store does not have them.

Alot of fish store workers are out to sell fish so they don't care what size tank you have at home, whether its cycled properly. They just want to sell fish.

Lucy

Hi welcome to Fish Lore

Don't worry, a lot of us bought tanks not realizing what was involved in getting an aquarium up and running properly.

Unfortunately, 7.6g's isn't big enough for a gold fish. They're huge waste producers and it's recommended that you allow 20g for the first goldfish and another 10g for each additional goldfish.

It looks like your problems arose from an uncycled overcrowded tank.

76.6g's doesn't really allow for a lot of fish or variety. If you want tropical fish, you'll need a heater because most do well around 76F to 80F depending on the fish.

If you'd prefer cooler water fish, maybe look into a few white cloud minnows.
Or if you get a heater you could house 2 or 3 guppies or a betta.

The tank need to cycle, meaning it needs to grow beneficial bacteria that will process the ammonia created by fish waste and left over food.
Here's a link to learn about the cycling process:
Nitrogen Cycle

Good luck.

Angela_96

I am def one of the people that didn't know for a while when I started w/ my fishtanks what was really involved. I learned from loosing fish what a "cycle" was myself.

Mike19

Lucy has covered what needs to be said. Welcome


Mike

Dozey

Pet stores all over the world seem to share the same lack of knowledge. If you desire to keep fish, don't give up. You do seem to need to start over. Learn about the cycle process; learn about what fish work in your tank and together.

Best wishes

SheetalA

Thanks a lot for the support...

I read about the nitrogen cycle. Can I continue without fish in the tank, in case I lose this one? Do I need to continue partial water changes through the process? Will flake food be effective? I will check today for the test kit & let you all know. If I do add another fish, which one? As I said, the only ones most commonly available are goldfish (and shop owners sell them saying they are hassle free, maintenance free to gullible people like me). If no other option, do I go with one goldfish to keep the nitrogen cycle going? I can't afford a bigger tank, hence any suggestions on which fish will be best for this size of tank (7.6 gallons - ie. 29 liters)? I've suddenly lost all my confidence. I'm at work now & I think I won't be able to bear it if I get home & realise that I lost my last fish too... also, need to know if an additional oxygen pump is necessary for this size of tank?

Angela_96

Hang in there, everyone here is learning new things w/ fishkeeping. There is always something to learn. I would do partial changes only if you have a fish in the tank, everyday until the ammonia and nitrites are at -0-. If you have no fish in the tank ad some fish food or raw shrimp in the tank, watch the ammonia, nitrites spike, when they go back down to -0- and stay at that level for about a week your tank is cycled, while you are fishless cycling do not do waterchanges.

Its much more healthy for fish to not be in a tank that isn't properly cycled. So I recomend fishless cycling.

For that size tank guppies would be great as long as you ad a heater. Or one betta (with a heater).

If you already have an air pump then one is fine.

SheetalA

Am I right in assuming flake food should be added in 12 hr intervals? How much for a tank this size? Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Angela_96

I would ad food once every 24hours if you are using it to cycle, and not a lot just a pinch.

SheetalA

If I were to do fishless cycling, and may take some time to get my test kits, can I continue with the process anyways & check the levels when I get my kit?

Also, would you recomment whitecloud minnows for my tank? I understand that you need atleast 5 to 6 together? Will my tank be able to handle that after the nitrogen cycle with this size? Also, I don't want them to breed...so I should be specific about getting only males or females from the petshop right? When do they generally breed? At what age? Any other fishes recommended for cooler waters & with this tank size?

Dozey

You can, it will slightly complicate things a bit because you won’t be able to adjust your feedings. Don’t go overboard on feeding the tank because your readings could go through the ceiling. Until you can get a test kit less would be better.

With your tank size you will certainly be… um, encouraged to consider a betta.

SheetalA

Was wondering in case the last fish dies & it has a skin condition(don't know yet what?), should I change the water or do a partial water change before carrying on with the fishless cycle? Any answers are apperciated...thanx

capekate

Hello and welcome..
I am sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your new fish. It is disheartening to find that a hobby you thought would be so much fun can be so troublesome. If you decide to stick with it, and take it all slowly you will find a lot of help here in FishLore.
So many goldfish do come from the store with disease. I have read that they are one of the most diseased fish out there. If and when you loose the last goldie, I would take apart the tank, clean and rinse under very hot water the gravel, wash down the plastic plants and of course rinse with very hot water your tank. In other words, start from scratch again... and take the process one at a time.
You can start your fishless cycle without having the tests on hand. Just add a pinch of flakes daily in the water after you set it all up again. Do not do any partial water changes at this point. It takes about three-six weeks or so for a tank to cycle anyway. So you have time to find a water test kit.
Can you find out what types of fish are availabe where you are, and hopefully before you bring them home, we can help you determine if they are compatible or the right size for your tank.
Dont give up.. its a wonderful and can be relaxing hobby. It just takes awhile to get started..

fishlover78

well, I think everthing has been covered here. and sheetaLA, if you are looking into keeping coldwater fish (white clouds) I am providing the link to a site that has a forum (Where the people are nice, I belong to it) and many coldwater fish articles. I am doing this since most fishlorians keep tropical and sometimes can't help with coldwater fish. hang in there! -fishlover78

SheetalA

Thanks a lot for all the info. My last goldie died yesterday when I got home & I am shattered at the moment. I will need sometime before I start back as I am planning to change to a bigger tank as small ones are too risky for the fish & will need sometime to work out the space etc.(and this time with a fishless cycle) but I am going to regularly check back on this forum & may have a lot of questions for you all. Thanks once again ...

Mike19

Sorry to hear about your goldie, your welcome to comeback whenever and ask as many question you need

Have a wonderful xmas and a happy new year.

Mike

jdhef

I think I can speak for everyone when I say we look forward to your return. Good Luck