Elsiecat
Well-Known Member
Also, how did fish from the fair survive in my tiny little circle tank with no filter system and no air pumps etc?
Fish people? Help :( high fishy casualties!
- Thread starter Elsiecat
- Start date
Elsiecat
Well-Known Member
^I promise that'll be my last question! 
catxx
Well-Known Member
They don't survive for long. Any that survive for more than a week is down to luck and nothing more! They suffer from ammonia poisoning, stunting, and then they die a miserable death.
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
Have a look at mud skippers. There an interesting pet to have and not hugely difficult to keep. My friend has them.
I think, if I was you, I'd go for a basic tropical set up. Start of with some guppies or platys (both easy and pretty) then think about other fish types later.
I think, if I was you, I'd go for a basic tropical set up. Start of with some guppies or platys (both easy and pretty) then think about other fish types later.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
I know very little about fish, so I looked Guppies up and they are very pretty. Lots of colours too.
http://rioslibres.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/guppychart.jpg
catxx
Well-Known Member
FYI Guppies are not as hardy as they used to be. They are intensively in bred to get those colours and equally intensively farmed for the pet trade, no longer are they the hardy beginner fish they used to be! A similar fate has befallen the Neon Tetra.
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
Agreed about guppies but they're still easier than cichlids etc! Platys or mollys (with a little salt) are prob hardier. Or the other indestructible little fish seems to be corydoras, although they need to be kept in groups so not ideal for start up.
Last edited:
Luci07
Well-Known Member
Agree with tropical and that would be my choice if I was starting over again. Much more colourful! But do go tropical and NOT marine. The latter is a lot more work! If you had a smallish tank I would look at buying a number if tetras, but you do need the heater and air pump.
catxx
Well-Known Member
You don't necessarily need an air pump, you do of course need a filter. The simple act of the filter outflow breaking the surface of the water produces enough oxygen for the average community fish. It's only fish from very fast flowing water that need an extra boost of oxygen (such as White Cloud Minnows or Hillstream Loaches) - in which case I would actually recommend a powerhead blowing across the water and NOT an air stone!
Air stones and little bubbles are just decoration. It's only when they pop on the surface that they make any impact on the oxygen content in the water.
Remember to research any species you may consider! Not all Tetras or Corydoras have the same needs. There are around 150-200 species of Corydora for instance!
dunthing
Well-Known Member
Tropical is so much easier than cold water and strangely, the bigger the tank, the easier it is to keep the water in good condition. I would suggest a good book which takes you through the setting up process to planting, buying compatible fish and diseases. "The bumper guide to tropical fish" by Interpet is an excellent starter. Pet shops know very little about the animals/fish that they sell. Try to find a proper fish breeder/keeper who can advise you. I have two corys left out of a tank that I had about 7 or 8 years ago. I'm giving up on fish so just waiting for old age to catch up with them. Don't feel guilty about the fish you've lost, we've all done it at some time.
GrumpyHero
Well-Known Member
i kept a goldfish i won from a fair for 7 years! she grew absolutely huge and we never had any filters or anything
catxx
Well-Known Member
Again, that was down to luck and you got lucky with a fish that could put up with crappy water quality. Doesn't make the method of keeping Goldies right. Especially considering their real life span is 15-20 years
GrumpyHero
Well-Known Member
Ahh i see. Aw my poor flow, i was only young at the time and i feel bad now thinking that she lived in crap water even though her tank always had clean water etc.