5 Gallon Tank With Too Many Fish!

[spilla]

Ok, I'll start from the start here. A few months back I bought a 5 gallon 'All-In-One' tank with light and airpump. The same day I bought a few fish from the local pet shop. (Betta and a few comets IIRC) They all died overnight. I hadn't let the tank cycle nor added any biological helper, and I used town water. I later found out that they died from chlorine in the water. A few days later I bought a small filter and set it up with some fresh rain water and let it go for a week without any fish.

I then went to an aquarium store in the city, where I bought 3 comets, along with some biological cleaner/helper and water conditioner. These have all been going fine, but I wanted some more. So I went and bought 2 Black Widow Tetras and a heater (I figured I'd need one if I wanted to get tropical fish). So then I had 4 fish (1 of the comet's died).

I then decided I wanted a few tropical fish, but I didn't want to wait until I went back to the aquarium shop 3 hours away. I found a site (www.livefish.com.au) and ordered some tropical fish online. I ordered:

1 x Guppy Female Assorted
2 x Assorted Platy
2 x Tiger Barb
2 x Zebra Danio​

I recieved these fish today, with a pleasant surprise. They gave me more than what I ordered. I got 2 Tiger Barbs, and 2 Zebra Danios, but about 7 of these: (2 have died so far)

And 4 of a red/orange one. (one of these has already died) I'll try and get a pic soon, but my camera doesn't like aquariums.

So that's a total of 16 fish. I can't buy another tank for at least a few weeks. But when I do buy a new one, it's going to be at least a 20 gallon. Any advice on what I should be doing?

 

[AndreaC]

OMG this is a nightmare happening. Sorry dont mean to sound rude.

A 5 gallon tank is way way way to small. Putting 3 comets in was bad as they grow big and 1 comet needs at least 10 gallons. My comet has grown to 10" so far. Also you cant keep cold water fish with tropical, there requirments are completly different. The tank is to small for the fish to swim in around with that amount of fish and also you are way over stocked

Please re home the fish or they will all die very fast. I would suggest having a few guppies in there.

Also tiger barbs unless kept in big groups will nip and kill the guppies and other fish.

Where do you live?? Uk or USA?

Is there anyway you can get a larger tank faster?? they wont survive otherwise that long.
Only thing I can suggest is taking the fish to a LFS and or rehoming them.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

god that is a bit of a muddled tank!!

to give you an idea recommended stocking levels are 1" of fish per us gallon of water, so for your tank your looking at 5" of fish max in that tank, out of all the fish you have only the guppies are suitable for that tank.

codlwater and tropicals don't mix, you need seperate tanks for them, and to keep commets you need 20g for 1 and 10g more for each additional one. they really do get quite big.

you need to do some research into the fish you have and decide which ones you want to keep then get a bigger tank to cater for they're requirements.

also cycling.... it sounds like you don't know much about how to set up a tank properly, read through the pinned topics about fishless cycling and cycling with fish.

to be quite honest if it was me i would re-home all the fish, start doing some research then start from scratch

 

[kpintheshed]

is it me but 2 of them from what i can see looks pregnant. the black blob is there.

 

[juwelfan]

You should be making less hasty decisions. You should be researching your hobby before you jump in head first, especially considering you dealing with living organisms.
I’m glad you are now asking questions on a forum like this. I guess the ghosts of really angry painfully poisoned fish were keeping you awake at night; hence you began on this righteous path.

See if the shop you got your fish from will take some/all of them back. Explain that you didn’t know what you were doing when you got them.
I’m surprised the shop didn’t ask you any questions about if your tank was cycled etc. Every shop I’ve bought live stock from always asked me some basic questions before they let me buy.

I’m going to stop there because I’m going to start ranting because I’m so angry at you level of ignorance.

Juwelfan.

 

[dwarfgourami]

You should be making less hasty decisions. You should be researching your hobby before you jump in head first, especially considering you dealing with living organisms.
I’m glad you are now asking questions on a forum like this. I guess the ghosts of really angry painfully poisoned fish were keeping you awake at night; hence you began on this righteous path.

See if the shop you got your fish from will take some/all of them back. Explain that you didn’t know what you were doing when you got them.
I’m surprised the shop didn’t ask you any questions about if your tank was cycled etc. Every shop I’ve bought live stock from always asked me some basic questions before they let me buy.

I’m going to stop there because I’m going to start ranting because I’m so angry at you level of ignorance.

Juwelfan.

Juwelfan, this is totally uncalled for. This poster is now trying to sort the tank out- this is not the moment to start on a course of unhelpful bashing, how do we help these fish if we frighten their owner away? And there is nothing at all uncommon in an lfs not asking basic question: I am sure we could come up with a little list for you of shops who have actively handed out misleading information to new hobbyists. It is not easy for someone setting out in the hobby to know that fish forums may be a better source of information than professional fish dealers, I know I didn't know that.

Spilla, you've had good advice from Andrea and miss Wiggle. I agree with them both that finding a new home for the goldfish is a top priority, also to rehome the tiger barbs. If I were you, I would immediately rehome everything except possibly a couple of guppies. If you leave them as it is, all your fish are likely to die, so that wouldn't be a very happy solution. If you buy a 20 gallon tank, that would still be too small for the comets, and also to small to keep tiger barbs as they need to be kept, i.e. in a proper school of 6-8. A 20 gallon tank would be enough for a school of 6 black widow tetras (they need to be kept in schools) and maybe 4 platies (if they
were the red fish), but you couldn't add them all at once; they would need to be added slowly. On the whole, I think it would be easiest to take miss Wiggle's advice and rehome everything, then start reading up and planning the tank the way you really want it. Fishkeeping is a hobby that demands a good deal of patience and planning, but is very rewarding. The number one rule is never to buy a fish that you have not researched thoroughly, as all fish have their own separate requirements. Like mammals- you wouldn't look after a horse and a dog in the same way, so it pays to know beforehand what you are getting

 

[sarena_rye]

I agree with rehoming the fish if possible, as you are looking at a serious die off in the near future. If the LFS won't take the fish and you can't find homes, a temporary help is to set up a rubbermaid container (the largest you can get considering the amount of fish you are looking at here) to give them a closer approximation of the amount of room they'll need to survive until you can get them set up properly. Remember to buy two tanks and nest them together to avoid the sides bowing from the water pressure. Ask your local LFS if you could get some of their already cycled water for the container, as this will help a lot. Some of their filter media would be a big bonus also if they are willing to help out.

Granted this isn't a permanent fix (unless you like the idea of having a few rubbermaid containers around) but should help to keep them alive until you can either rehome them or get proper setups for all of them. You will need filter systems for the rubbermaid containers just like you would in a regular glass tank and will have to do proper water changes just the same also.

Hopefully you'll be able to sort it out soon, as I hate to see anyone have to sing Taps over a toilet while flushing .

 

[newtotropical]

You should be making less hasty decisions. You should be researching your hobby before you jump in head first, especially considering you dealing with living organisms.
I’m glad you are now asking questions on a forum like this. I guess the ghosts of really angry painfully poisoned fish were keeping you awake at night; hence you began on this righteous path.

See if the shop you got your fish from will take some/all of them back. Explain that you didn’t know what you were doing when you got them.
I’m surprised the shop didn’t ask you any questions about if your tank was cycled etc. Every shop I’ve bought live stock from always asked me some basic questions before they let me buy.

I’m going to stop there because I’m going to start ranting because I’m so angry at you level of ignorance.

Juwelfan.

Put your toys back in the pram mate........

I agree with rehoming the fish if possible, as you are looking at a serious die off in the near future. If the LFS won't take the fish and you can't find homes, a temporary help is to set up a rubbermaid container (the largest you can get considering the amount of fish you are looking at here) to give them a closer approximation of the amount of room they'll need to survive until you can get them set up properly. Remember to buy two tanks and nest them together to avoid the sides bowing from the water pressure. Ask your local LFS if you could get some of their already cycled water for the container, as this will help a lot. Some of their filter media would be a big bonus also if they are willing to help out.

Granted this isn't a permanent fix (unless you like the idea of having a few rubbermaid containers around) but should help to keep them alive until you can either rehome them or get proper setups for all of them. You will need filter systems for the rubbermaid containers just like you would in a regular glass tank and will have to do proper water changes just the same also.

Hopefully you'll be able to sort it out soon, as I hate to see anyone have to sing Taps over a toilet while flushing .

Filter water wont help much, what you need is mature media........

 

[juwelfan]

Juwelfan, this is totally uncalled for. This poster is now trying to sort the tank out- this is not the moment to start on a course of unhelpful bashing, how do we help these fish if we frighten their owner away?

I disagree with your comment that my post was uncalled for. I said that I was happy they were now looking for help. People should take more care when buying pets. People should research on the internet/books etc. If there is a problem then people should look to rehome. It appears you agree with these last two points i made.
But i agree i should'nt have shown my anger at their lack of understanding. So, sorry for that.

Juwelfan

p.s. newtotropical, my toys have all been put back in the pram.

 

[sarena_rye]

I agree with rehoming the fish if possible, as you are looking at a serious die off in the near future. If the LFS won't take the fish and you can't find homes, a temporary help is to set up a rubbermaid container (the largest you can get considering the amount of fish you are looking at here) to give them a closer approximation of the amount of room they'll need to survive until you can get them set up properly. Remember to buy two tanks and nest them together to avoid the sides bowing from the water pressure. Ask your local LFS if you could get some of their already cycled water for the container, as this will help a lot. Some of their filter media would be a big bonus also if they are willing to help out.

Granted this isn't a permanent fix (unless you like the idea of having a few rubbermaid containers around) but should help to keep them alive until you can either rehome them or get proper setups for all of them. You will need filter systems for the rubbermaid containers just like you would in a regular glass tank and will have to do proper water changes just the same also.

Hopefully you'll be able to sort it out soon, as I hate to see anyone have to sing Taps over a toilet while flushing .

Filter water wont help much, what you need is mature media........

Actually what I suggested was cycled water AND filter media lol. I'm quite bad about breaking up my posts like I should, I really need to work on that .

 

[spilla]

Ok, first off, I'll just apologise to all those who I've offended with my ignorance/noobness. I did do a small amount of research before I went to buy, but the aquarium store told me otherwise, and seeing as they looked reputable, I trusted them.

When I went to the LFS, they recommended 3 comets for my 5 gallon (I asked them if would be able to keep any more in a tank this size, and they said I could).

As I live in pretty much the middle of nowhere, there's no-one I can give my fish to, and driving to the LFS is out of the question at the moment. Last night, all of the Platys died, and only 2 or 3 guppies are left. The Tiger Barbs and Zebra Danios are looking great, as are the Comets and Black Widows.

I've got 2 questions right now:

1. I've got a plastic 3 gallon tank that I could use to house some fish temporarily, but I only have 1 extra air pump. Should I relocate some fish into this, if so what fish?

2. If I do find someone to take my fish away, (or they die), what would be the best way to start off?

Thanks to those that have given me advice, it really is appreciated.

 

[TerraDreamer]

And there is nothing at all uncommon in an lfs not asking basic question: I am sure we could come up with a little list for you of shops who have actively handed out misleading information to new hobbyists.

Well, maybe it's high-time we started posting the names of these lfs as well as the names of the owners of them on this web site in a forum that is specifically dedicated to BAD fish shops that give BAD advice. Then send them an e-mail or give them a ring with a link back here for them to admire.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

Heh, we've all had our ignorant moments, what matters most is that you're trying. =)

First off, the water for the 3gallon tank... make sure it's nice and chlorine free. Hehe, I've set up a quarantine tank, forgot about that aspect, and killed my poor dear guppy. >.>

I'd put either the guppies or the barbs in there. Guppies, in my experience, are the most likely to be picked on, especially in a crowded, zippy tank. They're kinda prone to dying off when you're getting used to raising fish, so... yeah. And besides, with 2 (and quite possibly more) pregnant, a little bit more isolation would be nice for them.
The barbs, being a bit more aggressive and such, would probably benefit being in the 3g too, and putting them there would protect the other fish.
From what I've seen, danios and comets can actually be pretty hardy - they won't love the cramped tank, but they'll be able to cope for a bit.

If you start again... a tank with the danios would probably be lovely. They're on the smaller side (though, still not quite small enough for a 5g), fairly docile but zippy & fun to watch, and... with me, have been pretty bomb-proof. But hehe, study up on them a bit first - I'm sure anyone here would be willing to help if you've got questions. ^__^
Goodluck!

 

[sarena_rye]

No need to apologize. Being mislead by an LFS isn't a fun thing to experience The fact that you are trying to fix things is what counts. You wouldn't be able to fit many fish in the 3 gallon, and since it's not already set up you will have alot of the same problems since it won't be cycled, but it's worth a shot at this stage since you have no way to rehome the fish. I'm sorry to hear that you've lost so many already The most you could move to the 3 gallon with any chance of survival would be either the guppies, a few tiger barbs, or perhaps the comets. One of those three options. Hopefully things work out.

edit: I really need to type things out fully without wandering away from my comp because people end up saying the same thing first lol. Again though, the gups or tiger barbs are the best bet for the 3 gallon as Moonstruck said

 

[Tolak]

First of all, welcome to TFF! Joining this site is probably top of the list of best things you can do for your fish.

No need to apoligize, most everyone starts off where you have, myself included. You have already learned a couple of important things; take lfs advice with a grain of salt, and many members on here get very upset when they see a fish or other animal in harm's way.

1 I would put the comets in the 3 gallon, they are the biggest waste producers. The tupperware or rubbermaid tub idea is a good one, many people have used them. If this is an option, put the barbs or tetras in there.

2 Best way to start off would be with the 20 gallon, but keep the smaller tanks for med or quar tanks. A larger tank is more stable, and easier than a small tank at first. Do a fishless cycle on this tank, that way no fish are harmed.

For now feed the fish once every other day. Less food consumed means less waste produced. This will keep the water a little cleaner, and keep ammonia & nitrite levels down. Do a 50% water change daily until you can rehome some of the fish. The danios are the most hardy fish of the group, along with the comets. Try to rehome the other fish first if at all possible.