I Need Some Quick Help

[sandman316]

Alright, so about a week ago i got 2 fish. One is an Angelica Catfish and the other is called a Red Paintedsword. I have a smaller tank, about 2 gallons, with a filter and a light and everything. I put water conditioner in the tank, and i put the fish in. I was told to put the bag in for a while to get them used to it so i did that. After a while the water got really cloudy, it looked dirty. but the filter took care of it and it was fine. Then both of my fish would just go to the corner and stay there unless there was food, and this morning they wouldnt even eat. i just got home to check and the red sword was laying upside down and the catfish was doing the same. So i just want to know what i might have done wrong, or what might have gone wrong for these fish. I'm assuming they are dead, but the ones gills keep moving really fast so i cant tell. id like to know just so i know next time. thanks all!

 

[celaeno]

only fish that belongs in a tank that small is a betta. i'm guessing they died due to high concentration of ammonia from an uncycled tank, which i assume also doesn't have a heater?

 

[sandman316]

when i bought the tank the person said it had the light on the top, which would act as a heater

 

[rdd1952]

Several things could have gone wrong. The most likely is that they died of ammonia posioning since the tank wasn't cycled. Ammonia from fish waste builds up and is toxic. The other possibility, though not as likely, is that it was pH shock. If the water they were in in the bag was considerably different from that of you tap water, it could have caused pH shock. Lastly, it could have been that both fish were diseased and sick when you bought them. That happens quite often at the chain stores like Walmart, Petco and Petsmart.

Edit: The light won't work as a heater as it won't be on all the time (should only be on for up to 10 to 14 hours depending on whether there are live plants or not). I wasn't going to mention the issue of tank size but as stated, that tank is really only suited for a betta. I'm not familiar with that particular catfish but most of them get big and need a large tank.

 

[sandman316]

i guess it was probably the ammonia then. so if i get new ones, should i get the same 2 or different ones? and the cylce thing, im reading up about it, but how often should i do it?

 

[rdd1952]

Check the link in my signature about fishless cycling. I would only get a betta for that tank. Unless you plan to get a larger tank soon to rehome the other fish as they grow. The catfish will likely get too big and swordtails are livebearers so if you get a female, you will be overrun with fry in a matter of a few weeks. They can store sperm for a period of time and do not need a male to reproduce.

 

[sandman316]

i was planning on getting a new tank when they out grow it.

 

[rdd1952]

With the fry you will have from the swordtail, that will be in about a month.

 

[Yazan]

That tank is realy small and is not suitable. And the light does not act like a heater. You should get a bigger tank ASAP.

 

[dwarfgourami]

The difficulty for a newbie is judging when a fish has outgrown a tank. This is going to be a LOT earlier than the time when they LOOK too big for the tank. In the present case, the tank was almost certainly too small from the start; these fish need room to move even as juveniles. I agree with the posters who say only a betta is really suitable for that tank, or possibly some tiny shrimps. Everything else is going to need more swimming space. For a swordtail I would say a 3 foot tank is needed, not sure about the catfish but certainly no smaller.

 

[vinylman]

when i bought the tank the person said it had the light on the top, which would act as a heater

Looks like you need to find a new shop.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

1 yes, only a betta for the tank NOTHING else.
2 the fish probably died from ammonia poisoning
3 a cycle is done once, but it takes about 3 weeks.
4 don't get anymore fish until you cycle ur tank
5 the light won't act as a heater, unless you get a heater,or keep your water Warm, as in room temp or higher, or else no fish.
6 you CAN'T move the fish once they outgrow cuz they WON'T outgrow! They will stunt which means their organs grow to normal size but their body won't- since the tank is too small- which means they will live painfully and with stress, and will die much earlier. I'm guessing the catfish needs about a 30 or more. Not really sure, the sword, minimum 5 gallons, but I would recommend 10.
7 your fish will probably die... sorry but it's the truth