Angel Fish, Catfish, Swordfish And Goldfish Advice Needed

[Charmian]

I have been given an Angel Fish that is about two inches in depth without the fins. It is silver and black patterned (not striped). Also along with this fish came a Swordfish and a Catfish.
The person gave me a 100l tank but when I got it home there was no place to put it where a plug was and it is too big. So I have started up my 60L Juwel Rekord. I put 10l of their water in fresh treated water in last night. Then the original pump would not fit in this tank as it was too high so I have put in 2 small pumps that are really only for a 10 litre tank as an emergency measure. Then I realised that the heater does not work and that is probably why this person lost nearly all his fish?
Anyway the water is 22.5 degrees. I don't know how long they have been in that kind of temp in the other tank?
I am going to the Pet shop at 10.30 when they open to buy a heater and a pump suitable for this tank.
Do you think these fish will die or are already in the process of dying?
I have never had tropical fish before so I am completely green in this area.
I also have 3 two inch goldfish that my neighbour was going to throw in the pond where we live as he didn't want them any longer so I took them off him and put them in my 10L tank.
Do you think I could put them all in this 60l for two weeks as I am going away and intend to buy the two week automatic feeder for them along with a heater and proper pump.
I know goldfish do not like warm water etc. Could they go in the for just two weeks though?
What is the coolist water temp the tropical fish can tolorate?
Your help would be most appreciated.

 

[fluttermoth]

The goldfish would be better in the pond. They are not really suitable to keep in tanks, and a 10l is far, far too small.

The other fish need to be in the 100l; 60l is too small, especially for the angel. You'll just have to move some furniture or run an extension lead to it; there's no such thing as a tank that's 'too big', from the fish's point of view.

Most importantly, you need to get their old filter running, even if you have to lie it on it's side; or at the very least, get all the sponges and stuff from the old filter and put in the new ones; that's where the good bacteria live and you need those to stop the water becoming polluted. You need to do that ASAP before the bacteria die off.

You will have to look at either rehoming the angel or getting it a bigger tank; a four foot long, 18" tall is the minimum for angels; they grow rather large!

You definitley can't put all those fish in a 60l for two weeks; it'll be far too cramped.

 

[fish.mw.breeder]

Okay... Tropical can tolerate a cool temperature of 72 degrees. But that is the coldest they can tolerate... Goldfish do not need heat. Catfish & Angelfish do. The catfish & angelfish will be knocking on death's door if there is no heat. The goldfis will probably be okay.

Hope this helps!

 

[soybean]

By swordfish, do you mean a swordtail? These also grow quite large and active. There are also many species of 'catfish' - could you post a photo? If it's a type of plec, this could also become enormous.

At the moment it doesn't sound like you can house these fish properly at all. If you want to keep tropicals but don't want to rearrange the house for a large enough tank, consider trading these in for more suitable fish for the tank size you want to keep. There's also a classified section of this forum where people buy, sell and trade all sorts.

If they are common goldfish - with a single tail fin, rather than double-tailed fancy goldfish - they need to go in a pond. By 'pond where we live' do you mean a public one or is it a private domestic one belonging to someone? Try asking around to see if anyone has a pond, or try a garden centre with a pondfish section who might take them. I wouldn't put them in a public one, there could be all sorts of rubbish in it.

 

[Charmian]

By swordfish, do you mean a swordtail? These also grow quite large and active. There are also many species of 'catfish' - could you post a photo? If it's a type of plec, this could also become enormous.

At the moment it doesn't sound like you can house these fish properly at all. If you want to keep tropicals but don't want to rearrange the house for a large enough tank, consider trading these in for more suitable fish for the tank size you want to keep. There's also a classified section of this forum where people buy, sell and trade all sorts.

If they are common goldfish - with a single tail fin, rather than double-tailed fancy goldfish - they need to go in a pond. By 'pond where we live' do you mean a public one or is it a private domestic one belonging to someone? Try asking around to see if anyone has a pond, or try a garden centre with a pondfish section who might take them. I wouldn't put them in a public one, there could be all sorts of rubbish in it.

Hello Soyabean
Yes, it was an orange swordtail that the pet shop said was a fully grown one. The catfish also was fully grown. He was about 1.5". He did say the names but I can't remember. It was a brown/grey mottled fish that was a little hard to see against the bogwood if that helps? He always sat at the bottom and glided when he moved.
So the three tropical fish went to the pet shop this morning after reading all the advice. I hope they survive. But at least they are in a good conditioned tank now.

 

[Charmian]

Hello Soyabean - part 2
I asked the petshop to fill my 10L bucket with their water so that I had their good bacteria which he did. I then put it in my little 60L tank.
I still have the 3 goldfish.
It was the public pond which I think is stagnant and that is why I said that I would rather take them than let him throw them in there. I know ducks are always on there but I doubt there are any fish.
My daughter's friend has a pond but is only the size of a 4 seater table but better than what I have.
I could have given them to the petshop I suppose but I didn't. I can do that when I get back from hols. They seem perfectly happy in there but I know it won't be for long.
I tell you.... this has given me a headache and I haven't slept properly since. But the Angelfish was such a worry.
My budgie doesn't give me any trouble... She is 3 years old and has the run of a 16ft square room looking and chatting out of the windows all day and she gets let out at 7.30am and she goes in and out as she likes until she goes to bed at around 8pm. But these fish!

 

[soybean]

They can indeed be a headache! But when you get it right it's very rewarding.

One important thing though - the 10 litres of water will have added no beneficial bacteria to your tank at all. it doesn't work that way. To seed a tank, you need media from another cycled filter. You could maybe ask in a separate post if theres anyone nearby who could donate some to you.

So now the goldfish - if you have them in the 10 litre still, please take them out! Your daughters friends pond sounds ideal even if you only keep them there temporarily. The stunting damage that can be done in a tiny tank like that will do them no good. At the very least try to get some mature media and put them in the 60 litre, but this is still far too small for them.

Try not to worry, so long as you're doing your best!

 

[Charmian]

They can indeed be a headache! But when you get it right it's very rewarding.

One important thing though - the 10 litres of water will have added no beneficial bacteria to your tank at all. it doesn't work that way. To seed a tank, you need media from another cycled filter. You could maybe ask in a separate post if theres anyone nearby who could donate some to you.

So now the goldfish - if you have them in the 10 litre still, please take them out! Your daughters friends pond sounds ideal even if you only keep them there temporarily. The stunting damage that can be done in a tiny tank like that will do them no good. At the very least try to get some mature media and put them in the 60 litre, but this is still far too small for them.

Try not to worry, so long as you're doing your best!

Hi... Thanks for writing
The goldfish are in the 60L.
I am going to write to see if anyone out there is in my area now. I hope I can find the link?

 

[soybean]

Try in here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/26-your-new-freshwater-tank/

 

[Charmian]

Try in here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/26-your-new-freshwater-tank/

Thanks for that. The nearest person is London but I don't know which side. I live nearest to NW London. I have written to him and I will wait to see where in London he lives. I have also put a post on asking if there is anyone else who lives around Watford Hetfordshire or Edgware Middlesex.
Thanks
C

 

[soybean]

You're welcome. Hope you get some. Another option would be to ask a local fish store if they would mind giving you some, but it depends on their set up and how easily they can get you some. They'd probably try to sell you instant cycling bacteria that comes in a bottle - avoid, it's generally considered useless.

Best of luck.