Surprised with fish but no equipment!

my mom irresponsibly got me fish without any proper equipment (which made me furious) and now I have to take care of 2 ancitrus fish, 1 goldfish (the other one died and I don't know why because at this time I got the basics and I suspect it's due to the shop keeping 100s of fish in one tank) and 1 power blue dwarf gourami(the other one died probably due to gourami disease maybe im not sure).

At the moment, I'm separating my gourami and goldfish because my goldfish was nipping it and I found some fungus on the gourami but since I don't have another tank I improvised and got a big glass container with white and red stones and some plants and decorated it with 3 glass decos. I already conditioned the water and prevented the gourami from temperature shock by leaving it in a jar in the water so it could slowly adjust to the water temperature. I got it to eat and I even have a small snail in there to keep down ammonia levels but my gourami is barely moving porbably due to stress and I don't knwo what to do! I'm only 14 and I've never had fish so im stressing because I don't want more fish to die!

Any suggestions?? I already bought more things to decorate my fishtank for my goldfish to be entertained but I'm stressing out about how to keep them alive! (fantail goldfish btw)

 

you are going to need 2 20 gallon tanks

 

my mom irresponsibly got me fish without any proper equipment (which made me furious) and now I have to take care of 2 ancitrus fish, 1 goldfish (the other one died and I don't know why because at this time I got the basics and I suspect it's due to the shop keeping 100s of fish in one tank) and 1 power blue dwarf gourami(the other one died probably due to gourami disease maybe im not sure).

At the moment, I'm separating my gourami and goldfish because my goldfish was nipping it and I found some fungus on the gourami but since I don't have another tank I improvised and got a big glass container with white and red stones and some plants and decorated it with 3 glass decos. I already conditioned the water and prevented the gourami from temperature shock by leaving it in a jar in the water so it could slowly adjust to the water temperature. I got it to eat and I even have a small snail in there to keep down ammonia levels but my gourami is barely moving porbably due to stress and I don't knwo what to do! I'm only 14 and I've never had fish so im stressing because I don't want more fish to die!

Any suggestions?? I already bought more things to decorate my fishtank for my goldfish to be entertained but I'm stressing out about how to keep them alive! (fantail goldfish btw)

Hi! Welcome to fishlore. Everyone’s first tank was stressful so I know where you’re coming from. Separating the two fish was a smart call, these two fish aren’t particularly compatible. Try bringing the gourami back to the fish store if that’s a possibility? Try to focus your effort on the goldfish, they are fun and rewarding introductions to the hobby cause they live forever.
I agree with grac3 ! I’d suggest a 20 g tank for a single goldfish and 20g for a single gourami as well.
do you have a filter heater etc?

 

Hi! Welcome to fishlore. Everyone’s first tank was stressful so I know where you’re coming from. Separating the two fish was a smart call, these two fish aren’t particularly compatible. Try bringing the gourami back to the fish store if that’s a possibility? Try to focus your effort on the goldfish, they are fun and rewarding introductions to the hobby cause they live forever.
I agree with grac3 ! I’d suggest a 20 g tank for a single goldfish and 20g for a single gourami as well.
do you have a filter heater etc?

I don't have a big tank, I wanted to get a 30 gallon since I had 2 goldfish at the time but my mom said it was too big so I had to get a way small tank, I think its 10-15 gallon tank but I'm not so sure. I don't have a heater for my fantail because they live in cold temperatures and I make sure to keep my room 23 degrees Celsius and for my Gourami, it's in the bathroom where my windows a semi open so it should be warmer as they are tropical fish.

At the moment we can't buy a bigger tank because my parents wouldn't allow me to waste this one. (I do have an air pump, working filter and sucker fish with 6-8 plants and round pebbles that are medium sized)

 

do you have any big plastic tubs? maybe she would let you get one of those if you had one laying around.
or you can also buy them super cheap

 

do you have any big plastic tubs? maybe she would let you get one of those if you had one laying around.
or you can also buy them super cheap

we don't have any and since mco we are a bit wary of going out. I might see if we can return the goldfish and gourami and I'll do some research if there are any small fish that would be better for a 10-15 gallon tank (unless that's a bad idea- im not sure)

 

there are heaps of easy to care for fish for a 10-15 gallon tank, harlequin rasboras, bettas, a dwarf gourami even

do you have any pics?

 

There are fish you can keep in a 10-15 gallon, if you're right about the size. Measure it and look up tank dimensions online to find out. If you're right about the size, may I suggest white cloud mountain minnows? They are probably the best possible fish for a beginner, and can be kept in a small tank.

Get 5 of them if your tank is a 10 gallon and 7 if it's 15. They like to be kept in groups. Don't get that many at the same time, though. Research the nitrogen cycle and add fish with that in mind. There's a great article about it on this site, so you can start there.

If your tank isn't a 10-15 gallon, come back here for some different suggestions. Oh, and they aren't your only options; research can tell you the minimum tank size and difficulty for any cool looking fish at the aquarium store. Just Google the name.

 

there are heaps of easy to care for fish for a 10-15 gallon tank, harlequin rasboras, bettas, a dwarf gourami even

do you have any pics?

yup, I don't think I can get a gourami because my dad doesn't think it's worth getting a heater so I'll have to stick with cold water fish. Btw, is that a good aquarium for the Gouramis quarintine(not temporary)? I couldn't find a bigger bowl.

I'm buying a but of driftwood and duckweed for my tank.

There are fish you can keep in a 10-15 gallon, if you're right about the size. Measure it and look up tank dimensions online to find out. If you're right about the size, may I suggest white cloud mountain minnows? They are probably the best possible fish for a beginner, and can be kept in a small tank.

Get 5 of them if your tank is a 10 gallon and 7 if it's 15. They like to be kept in groups. Don't get that many at the same time, though. Research the nitrogen cycle and add fish with that in mind. There's a great article about it on this site, so you can start there.

If your tank isn't a 10-15 gallon, come back here for some different suggestions. Oh, and they aren't your only options; research can tell you the minimum tank size and difficulty for any cool looking fish at the aquarium store. Just Google the name.

Thank you, I also have to be aware of the type of fish available get here because lately, the fish I find in fish shops are kept cheaply and there isn't much of a variety. I'll look into it after I do research and set up a proper tank with appropriate equipment

There are fish you can keep in a 10-15 gallon, if you're right about the size. Measure it and look up tank dimensions online to find out. If you're right about the size, may I suggest white cloud mountain minnows? They are probably the best possible fish for a beginner, and can be kept in a small tank.

Get 5 of them if your tank is a 10 gallon and 7 if it's 15. They like to be kept in groups. Don't get that many at the same time, though. Research the nitrogen cycle and add fish with that in mind. There's a great article about it on this site, so you can start there.

If your tank isn't a 10-15 gallon, come back here for some different suggestions. Oh, and they aren't your only options; research can tell you the minimum tank size and difficulty for any cool looking fish at the aquarium store. Just Google the name.

Thank you, I also have to be aware of the type of fish available get here because lately, the fish I find in fish shops are kept cheaply and there isn't much of a variety. I'll look into it after I do research and set up a proper tank with appropriate equipment

 

Pretty tanks! The small circular one would probably be suitable for a betta or cherry shrimp.

On a related note, I really do not like it when people consider fish disposable decorations.

 

ike it when people consider fish disposable decorations.

Me too! My mom bought me fish out of no where with no proper care and I got furious because my family wouldn't take me seriously when I kept stressing over how they are living things and should have as much care as a pet and not just decoration.

 

poggers youre doing the right thing! Keep researching and show your parents facts that back up your argument. It’s tough but stay motivated and focus on your research! I’ve been keeping fish for 10 years and my parents still think I’m nuts when I talk about my fish. We’re always here for you at fishlore! Please reach out with any additional questions!
best, Emily

 

Welcome to FishLore!

Trust me when I say you're not the first person to be given fish that weren't asked for. It can become a real headache...espcially when you are 14 and have listen to your parents about what equipment you need.

People who don't keep fish, think getting fish is like getting a puppy or a parakette. But puppies and parakettes live in the same environment humans live it. With fish you need to recreate their environment. Think if you tried to keep a puppy or a parakette in a tank full of water...it would end badly!

The very first thing I recommend is reading up on, and fully understanding the nitrogen cycle. In the post above by Madeline Peterson the works nitrogen cycle are a link that will take you to an article explaining it. Undrestanding the nitrogen cycle (also known as "the cycle" is the most imortant thing to understand when keeping fish.

Once you understand the cycle, you will see that you really need a filter, because you cannot cycle a tank without one.

If you are unable to get at least a 20g (long not high) tank for the goldfish, it would be better if you could rehome him. I think the idea of the White Cloud Mountain Minnows is a good idea. All you would need is a filter, no heater.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

 

Welcome to FishLore!

Trust me when I say you're not the first person to be given fish that weren't asked for. It can become a real headache...espcially when you are 14 and have listen to your parents about what equipment you need.

People who don't keep fish, think getting fish is like getting a puppy or a parakette. But puppies and parakettes live in the same environment humans live it. With fish you need to recreate their environment. Think if you tried to keep a puppy or a parakette in a tank full of water...it would end badly!

The very first thing I recommend is reading up on, and fully understanding the nitrogen cycle. In the post above by Madeline Peterson the works nitrogen cycle are a link that will take you to an article explaining it. Undrestanding the nitrogen cycle (also known as "the cycle" is the most imortant thing to understand when keeping fish.

Once you understand the cycle, you will see that you really need a filter, because you cannot cycle a tank without one.

If you are unable to get at least a 20g (long not high) tank for the goldfish, it would be better if you could rehome him. I think the idea of the White Cloud Mountain Minnows is a good idea. All you would need is a filter, no heater.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

Thank you so much! Sadly, the fish stores around don't allow returns or at least I couldn't find any that allowed returns. I do have a working filter and the tank at the moment seems big enough for now but will probably not support him for too long. I also noticed my fish acting quite strange and U keep researching and tried a lot but I can't seem to find the answer.

 

Do you hap

Thank you so much! Sadly, the fish stores around don't allow returns or at least I couldn't find any that allowed returns. I do have a working filter and the tank at the moment seems big enough for now but will probably not support him for too long. I also noticed my fish acting quite strange and U keep researching and tried a lot but I can't seem to find the answer.

Do you happen to have a freshwater test kit? You still have the gourami in one tank and the goldfish in another correct?

 

I don't but I ordered one online and it will arrive within a week. I can't really go out because my mum and dad don't wanna risk it

 

I don't but I ordered one online and it will arrive within a week. I can't really go out because my mum and dad don't wanna risk it

It’s a difficult time right now so I understand that! Thank goodness for Amazon! My best suggestion right now is to keep an aquarium journal and keep track of anythig you notice in the tank!

 

It’s a difficult time right now so I understand that! Thank goodness for Amazon! My best suggestion right now is to keep an aquarium journal and keep track of anythig you notice in the tank!

thank you so much! That sounds like a good idea : D

 

Come back and let us know when you receive your testing kit! Keep up the good work and if you have a camera take pictures so we can see what’s going on in the tank!

 

Come back and let us know when you receive your testing kit! Keep up the good work and if you have a camera take pictures so we can see what’s going on in the tank!

I just got it an I'm testing the pH and ammonia levels right now! I'll write back in a sec

Edit// I did it and the pH test is on the left and the Ammonia is on the right. I believe this is good, well I compared with the colors on the sheet and I think it's good meaning my fish isn't struggling with ammonia nor pH but the why does he (only sometimes) just lay still on the bottom?

 

I just got it an I'm testing the pH and ammonia levels right now! I'll write back in a sec

Edit// I did it and the pH test is on the left and the Ammonia is on the right. I believe this is good, well I compared with the colors on the sheet and I think it's good meaning my fish isn't struggling with ammonia nor pH but the why does he (only sometimes) just lay still on the bottom?

Do you have the sheet colors for us to compare to?

 

I just got it an I'm testing the pH and ammonia levels right now! I'll write back in a sec

Edit// I did it and the pH test is on the left and the Ammonia is on the right. I believe this is good, well I compared with the colors on the sheet and I think it's good meaning my fish isn't struggling with ammonia nor pH but the why does he (only sometimes) just lay still on the bottom?

Do you have a test for nitrite and nitrate? Those are two other essential things to test for. I can’t really interpret those results as they are because I don’t have that kit. Could you post a picture of the color comparison sheet they sent along?
Testing for nitrite & nitrate might give us more insight on why he likes to lay around?

 

Do you have a test for nitrite and nitrate? Those are two other essential things to test for. I can’t really interpret those results as they are because I don’t have that kit. Could you post a picture of the color comparison sheet they sent along?
Testing for nitrite & nitrate might give us more insight on why he likes to lay around?

The sheet was very confusing, the pH was good but the ammonia levels weren't so good. I'm actually not sure if they were good results or not but I cleaned my tank anyway and did find a lot of gunk in the gravel so I'm guessing the ammonia levels weren't so good.

And about the Nitrate and Nitrite test, I asked for them and he said they were in the Ammonia test and on the box it had NH4 and NH3 on it.