Hello and New Aquarium Questions

Hello Folks:

I bought my kid a fish tank for his birthday. We set up and cycled a 60 gallon tank and water test came out fine. We we purchased our first fish today. We got a really nice pleco and one large fish. I didn't write down the name of the fish. Can anyone tell me what kind of fish this is? She's about 8 -9 inches in length.

Any recommendations on feeding schedule and amount. What to feed and how much? What would you recommend for the water change amount and frequency?

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

Can you explain how you cycled the tank?
How long has the tank been set up and running?
What did you use as an ammonia source before you added the fish?

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

 

At the pet store, i purchased the products they recommended along with the tank last week. They told me use tap water from my sink and add NovAqua water conditioner, and NovaQel conditioner. They then told me to add Fluval Cycle biological booster. They told me to come back after 3 days to test the water. They tested the water and told me if was fine. My son picked the fish he liked. They tested the water in the tank in which the big fish lived, and told me the numbers were same. PH was 7.0 both in my water tested and the tank where the big fish was. The gave me a big serving of the water where the big fish lived and told me to add that water to my new tank, along with the big fish.

I added the pleco and the big fish today and they're both chilling on opposite sides of the tank. Now my kid is asking me what species of fish we bought. I didn't think to remember the fish type when I purchased and now the fish store is closed until Tuesday.

 

At the pet store, i purchased the products they recommended along with the tank last week. They told me use tap water from my sink and add NovAqua water conditioner, and NovaQel conditioner. They then told me to add Fluval Cycle biological booster. They told me to come back after 3 days to test the water. They tested the water and told me if was fine. My son picked the fish he liked. They tested the water in the tank in which the big fish lived, and told me the numbers were same. PH was 7.0 both in my water tested and the tank where the big fish was. The gave me a big serving of the water where the big fish lived and told me to add that water to my new tank, along with the big fish.

I added the pleco and the big fish today and they're both chilling on opposite sides of the tank. Now my kid is asking me what species of fish we bought. I didn't think to remember the fish type when I purchased and now the fish store is closed until Tuesday.

Unfortunately, I think you got bad advice from the pet store, which isn’t uncommon. I’d suggest you read this. . .
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Unless you used filter media, substrate or something else from an already cycled tank, the cycling process can take 4 - 6 weeks. This means that you are likely now doing a fish-in cycle.

Before I make more suggestions, do you have your own test kit to test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH? I’d suggest the API Master Test kit.

 

Yes, I purchased the 5 test strips packet. I forgot to mention they told me to get the 110 gallon filter. They took it out of the box and set it up for me so i just went home and plugged it up when I added my water.

 

Yes, I purchased the 5 test strips packet

Assuming you weren’t adding a source of ammonia before you added the fish, the cycling process didn’t start until you added them.

My personal preference for testing, especially for an uncycled tank, is the API Master Test kit. Test strips can be unreliable.

I‘d suggest you test daily and do water changes (maybe daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

If you’re not already using it, I’d recommend you use Seachem Prime as your water conditioner.

You mentioned a larger fish and a pleco. What is the larger fish?
Edit: Sorry, I just noticed that you added you’re unsure what the large fish is.

 

I'm trying to send a picture of my fish and tank, but it keeps saying, "the uploaded file was not an image as expected"

I got a small pleco which is about 2 inches in length or smaller. And I got a large dark red lean looking fish that is at least 8-9 inches, maybe 10 inches. Beautiful fish. All red with one black circular mark on the tail. I wish I wrote the name of the fish down when I bought the fish this afternoon.

 

I'm trying to send a picture of my fish and tank, but it keeps saying, "the uploaded file was not an image as expected"

I got a small pleco which is about 2 inches in length or smaller. And I got a large dark red lean looking fish that is at least 8-9 inches, maybe 10 inches. Beautiful fish. All red with one black circular mark on the tail. I wish I wrote the name of the fish down when I bought the fish this afternoon.

I’m sorry, but it sounds as though you got bad advice and little to no direction from the pet shop. Let’s focus on the cycling process for now. . .

Do my suggestions make sense? And did you read the nitrogen cycle link I provided above?

 

Assuming you weren’t adding a source of ammonia before you added the fish, the cycling process didn’t start until you added them.

My personal preference for testing, especially for an uncycled tank, is the API Master Test kit. Test strips can be unreliable.

I‘d suggest you test daily and do water changes (maybe daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

If you’re not already using it, I’d recommend you use Seachem Prime as your water conditioner.

You mentioned a larger fish and a pleco. What is the larger fish?
Edit: Sorry, I just noticed that you added you’re unsure what the large fish is.

Thank you for this information. I will definitely monitor my levels. I tested the tank many times since I bought the tank last week. For the past few days, my tank has had no nitrates or amonia. The PH was 6.0 last week, then went to 6.5, and has been at 7.0 for the last two days.

I thought the pet store guy told me that the "dirty water" he gave me provided all the other nutrients I needed for the cycle. And he seemed very confident when I brought my water sample back today and tested the water and said it was ready for fish. But I understand what you are saying - that a tank can't be fully cycled in 11 days.

 

Thank you for this information. I will definitely monitor my levels. I tested the tank many times since I bought the tank last week. For the past few days, my tank has had no nitrates or amonia. The PH was 6.0 last week, then went to 6.5, and has been at 7.0 for the last two days.

I thought the pet store guy told me that the "dirty water" he gave me provided all the other nutrients I needed for the cycle. And he seemed very confident when I brought my water sample back today and tested the water and said it was ready for fish. But I understand what you are saying - that a tank can't be fully cycled in 11 days.

It hasn’t been 11 days if you just added fish today and you weren’t adding an ammonia source to the tank before adding fish.

Today would be day 1 of the cycling process. . . An ammonia source (the fish you added today) is necessary to start the process.

As far as the testing you’ve done before today, there was nothing to test for or no reason to test as there wasn’t a source of ammonia in the tank.

Unfortunately, the dirty water the pet store gave you will likely do very little if anything to help get your tank cycled.

 

Sorry your photos won’t post. I’m thinking just from your description that either your big fish is a cichlid or angelfish. Cichlid if a classic fish silhouette and angelfish if it’s taller rather than longer. Even if you have to wait until Tuesday, call your fish store and confirm what your fish is. Especially if it turns out your fish is a hybrid like the Blood Parrot Cichlid (was blind googling for possible fish contenders and it popped up) they apparently need special care,

All that said, welcome to the forum! I hope you find lots of helpful advice and that you and your son enjoy his new tank!

 

Also it is not a great idea to use water from a fish store to use in your tank. They could have all kinds of heebie jeebies you dont want in your tank even if it is new.

 

Sorry your photos won’t post. I’m thinking just from your description that either your big fish is a cichlid or angelfish. Cichlid if a classic fish silhouette and angelfish if it’s taller rather than longer. Even if you have to wait until Tuesday, call your fish store and confirm what your fish is. Especially if it turns out your fish is a hybrid like the Blood Parrot Cichlid (was blind googling for possible fish contenders and it popped up) they apparently need special care,

All that said, welcome to the forum! I hope you find lots of helpful advice and that you and your son enjoy his new tank!

Thank you so much! My fish is definitely not an angelfish or cichlid. My fish is literally 9 inches or so in length, much longer and more muscluar than those two. I just made this video. Does it work? Can you see it?

 

Yes it works! And no I dont know what it is! you can take a picture of it , and put that in a google serch, and it will find similar photos.

 

Wow! That is lovely, your big fish. Also not sure what it is exactly so if no replies on identification best to call your fish shop.

 

It looks like a pike cichlid. Thinking crenicichla lugubris or similar.

 

It looks like a pike cichlid. Thinking crenicichla lugubris or similar.

A red pike cichlid! Not sure how big it gets but it’s very aggressive.

Welcome to fishlore!! Hopefully you didn’t pay more than $10 for that fish. It’s not a beginner fish or a cycle a tank fish.( Price range of $80-180). If you did please return it and never go back to that shop again!!! .

That tank is far from cycled. So for now you will have to change water every few days to keep the ammonia from killing the fish.

 

Welcome! Hope everything works out! Cycle your tank….it’s so important…. I had to do a fish in cycle, and everything turned out good for me… there are allot of knowledgeable people on this site…Listen and you will learn allot… and with some work and lots of water changes you will provide a healthy, happy place for your fish Good Luck

 

This may not be an option for you, but if you transfer some filter media (foam or bio-ball/ceramic rings) from a cycled tank to your tank, it should cycle almost instantly. I just used that method the other day and it cycled my tank in 2 days.

 

Hello. Thanks everyone for the advice. I spoke to my fish store. I was definitely hustled for this fish, as far as the price. I am too embarrassed to say how much I paid for the fish, but I'll just let it be a lesson learned.

The fish store told me they believe my water is on the right track to being fully cycled and the fish will be fine. He said he would not have sold me the fish without testing the water seven days apart, and he believed my water was fine with how I treated it and what he gave me. He also lectured me that he runs an ethical pet store, and to not go by fish forums because they don't know everything (SMH).

He tested my water again yesterday, and had the following numbers:
NO3=0
NO2=0
PH=7.5
KH=80
GH=180

He told me to make 30% water changes every other day and I would be fine. He said if the fish dies in the next 30 days or less, he would make an exception and give me a refund. He seemed confident that my red pike cichlid was healthy and fine and that the tank was sufficiently cycled or well on its way.


At this point, I hate to take the fish back to the store. My son is in love with the fish, and has even named her "Serena". I will keep doing water changes. My tank looks super clear. The water is filtering well. I will keep monitoring.

As far as food, the fish store says I should feed the pike 1 goldfish a day for a while because that's what the fish has been eating already; but he said I can transition the fish to this product called Jumbo Carnisticks. I didn't purchase the Jumbo Carnisticks yet. I wanted to see what you all recommended for food. Do you agree I should continue to feed with goldfish? Any advice on feeding and feeding schedule?

Any other feedback?

Thanks again everyone

 

It looks like a pike cichlid. Thinking crenicichla lugubris or similar.

Agree, a Crenicichla.

As far as food, the fish store says I should feed the pike 1 goldfish a day for a while because that's what the fish has been eating already; but he said I can transition the fish to this product called Jumbo Carnisticks. I didn't purchase the Jumbo Carnisticks yet. I wanted to see what you all recommended for food. Do you agree I should continue to feed with goldfish. Any advise on feeding and feeding schedule?

Don't like to be the one to break it to you, but: Return the fish and never go back to that store again. Although... no. Rehome it somewhere else, that store should not make money on it twice.
That store owner is stuck in the stone age of fishkeeping. Unbelievable... completely reckless to sell a fish like this to a beginner.

Goldfish are nutritionally bad as feeders, you can get any type of parasite or diseases into your tank with them and that store owner makes more money.

Oh and it's a male, not a female. You've got a boy named Serena.

 

Hopefully others will join in. The thing is for a 60g that fish is or will be to big. Being it’s an aggressive fish there’s not much else you can put with it. So you’ll have a tank with just the pile and the pleco till the pike eats it. I’d still return it. It will need a 6’ tank down the line.

 

OK. I will go to another fish store and see if I can rehome the fish there and start over. Frustrating but I see now that this was not the right fish to get.

 

Well if the first guy will give you back your money give it back. If not that pretty much says it all!! He’s just a thief! Next before you get something else post up some ideas of what you’d like. You will find lots of help and ideas here. Good luck!!

 

Hello. Thanks everyone for the advice. I spoke to my fish store. I was definitely hustled for this fish, as far as the price. I am too embarrassed to say how much I paid for the fish, but I'll just let it be a lesson learned.

The fish store told me they believe my water is on the right track to being fully cycled and the fish will be fine. He said he would not have sold me the fish without testing the water seven days apart, and he believed my water was fine with how I treated it and what he gave me. He also lectured me that he runs an ethical pet store, and to not go by fish forums because they don't know everything (SMH).

He tested my water again yesterday, and had the following numbers:
NO3=0
NO2=0
PH=7.5
KH=80
GH=180

He told me to make 30% water changes every other day and I would be fine. He said if the fish dies in the next 30 days or less, he would make an exception and give me a refund. He seemed confident that my red pike cichlid was healthy and fine and that the tank was sufficiently cycled or well on its way.


At this point, I hate to take the fish back to the store. My son is in love with the fish, and has even named her "Serena". I will keep doing water changes. My tank looks super clear. The water is filtering well. I will keep monitoring.

As far as food, the fish store says I should feed the pike 1 goldfish a day for a while because that's what the fish has been eating already; but he said I can transition the fish to this product called Jumbo Carnisticks. I didn't purchase the Jumbo Carnisticks yet. I wanted to see what you all recommended for food. Do you agree I should continue to feed with goldfish? Any advice on feeding and feeding schedule?

Any other feedback?

Thanks again everyone

Unbelievable!

Personally, I would have told the fish store that the folks on this Forum have forgotten more about fish keeping and cycling than he or she apparently knows.

As for getting your tank cycled, I gave you my best advice in the posts above. Happy to help more if you have questions.

Best of luck to you!

 

Thanks Everyone. After me threatening to file a police report and give an awful Yelp review, the fish store owner agreed to give me my money back and took the fish back. He said he wasn't going to sell me anymore fish, which is exactly what I was thinking. LOL.

My kid was okay with it all, because I told him the truth, that our tank was not quite ready for the fish and might die if we keep it. He was cool and I promised him a new fish soon! That plus some ice cream made my kid okay with everything.

Anyway, this will give me time to take my time and fully cycle my tank. I am excited now that I can get this right without worrying. Thanks everyone. I am reading everyone's tips, from this and other threads. I'll keep you posted!

 

That is a happy ending. Plenty of nice fish that will look great in your tank. Buy yourself a API liquid test kit and test your water. Did you keep the pleco?

 

Anyway, this will give me time to take my time and fully cycle my tank. I am excited now that I can get this right without worrying. Thanks everyone. I am reading everyone's tips, from this and other threads. I'll keep you posted!

Glad you landed in a better spot. And that your kid was ok with it! Ice cream gets ‘em every time.

For whatever it’s worth, you’re one of many to learn a hard lesson from fish stores whose only interest is apparently selling stuff.

Anyway, do you have a plan to cycle your tank?