How many fish???

[Anaconda]

I am new here and would love some advise please, I have had a tropical aquarium now for about 18months. It is a 2ft tank, I have a heater, light, air etc. water is checked regularly for ph levels. The pet shop will check my conditioner level every now and again.
I also change the water about once a fortnight, that is a 1/4 capacity change, not a full change of water.
I have a suction thingy that cleans the bottom of the tank, the gravel etc, then I top up the tank with fresh water, yes always pre tested and warmed.

I have 3 fish in there, 1 is a sharkcatfish, 1 a black widow and the other an angel fish.
I have had various varieties, but invariably they all seem to die. Gosh that was a mouthfull. lol.

Ones I have tried....betas, red tailed shark, neons, guamis, swordfish, mollies, normal catfish, tetras, to name a few...Not all at once though, the most I have in the tank at any time is about 10.

This last time I had 6, they were happy together for about 2 months, then the sword fish died, followed by the red tailed shark then two days ago the guami. Why is this happening. I go through the same process every time..get a couple of extra fish, all goes well then all of a sudden a few die, and not necessarily the new ones.

How many can I keep in this size tank? I love to watch them, but I am put off buying anymore now as all I seem to do is kill them.
Please help.

 

[Fishy411]

A shark cat needs a 75 gallon Brackish, then full salt tank. Best get rid of it now. I would try some platy's, Molly's and other livebearers

 

[boozybears]

Hi Anaconda! Welcome to the Forum!!

Sorry to hear about your bad luck with your fishies. Can you tell us a little bit more information so people can help you better? Do you how many gallons your tank is (or can you give us all the dimensions?) Is your tank cycled? What are your water levels (amonia, nitrite, nitrate)? When your fish died did you see any signs of disease such as white fuzz on thier bodies, white spots (like sprinkled salt) all over their bodies.?

Don't worry.. we've all had bad times with our tanks.. but you've found us now so you're in good hands. Don't be shy to ask lots of questions.. we'll all do our best to help you find answers.

 

[Anaconda]

Hey thanks Val, you are so nice.

Okies, well I don't know about nitrates, etc. All I test is ph at home and every now and again the pet shop does a test to make sure I don't put in too much conditioner...so if I need to get some extra supplies, tell me what I need to make this work.

I love my cat fish, if I could post a pic of him here I would, just not sure if I can or exactly how to. He is sooo cool, he is only about 10cm big and he is over 1 year old. I don't really want to get rid of him.

Now there wasn't any signs of disease on the dead ones, all they seemed to do is go a bit skittish for a day or so, like flitting all over the tank in any direction, then they would hang round the bottom, then die.

The water capacity this is appx..give or take a few litres..60litres. Cycled?? not sure what that is, I have a pump, and a filter, plus another air bubble thingy.
They get fed tropical flakes and every other day they get dried blood worms, I have been feeding this for about 8 months.

 

[boozybears]

Ok.. here's what I suggest.

1. Take a read through this link to explain about cycling tanks and what that means:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

2. In order to generate more attention (and therefore more help) I suggest that you edit you original post and change the name of the thread to something like 'My fish are dying..please help!!'

I'm going to let some other, more experience people help you with your situation.. but please hang in there!! Have a read through the pinned thread under the Beginner and Emergency sections.. they'll help.

Good Luck!!!