I've Unexpectedly Come Into Fish.

[vanillasugar]

So a friend of mine had a 20 gallon aquarium, and when she moved into her boyfriends apartment, she abandonned it at her old one. By abandonned it I mean didn't go back to her apartment for about 2 months. She went in this week to move out her stuff, and of course, the tank is a mess. All but one of the fish had died. She called me and said "Do you want a fish? Otherwise he's being flushed." I'm not a fish person, and didn't have much interest in keeping them, but I couldn't just let him DIE! So I have a fish.

He spent a few nights in a betta keeper from Walmart until I figured out what to do (hey, it was better than the water bottle he came to me in!). I now have a nicely set up (if I do say so myself!) 5 gallon tank for him, with some fake plants and a hidey-rock. He's a danio. A giant one I think... as he didn't look like the smaller varieties at the fish store where I bought the aquarium, and I'd say he's just about an inch and a half long. I don't have a heater yet (I'm getting hers when she finishes moving her stuff. I would have taken her offer for her tank as well, but don't have room for a tank of that size) but I do have a proper filter now that I have a proper tank. My apartment is about 30C right now, so I'm not worried about the few days he'll be without a heater, considering all the other things he's been through.

When I started this venture, I pretty much just wanted to keep him alive and reasonably happy. But I've caught the bug He needs buddies doesn't he?

What can I have with him (I'd like to get him at least one other Danio as a buddy... can I have a betta with them?) How do I introduce new fish to the tank? I know the general rule of 1 inch of fish per gallon, so that leaves me with... well not much in a 5 gallon tank. How can I make the most of it?

I'd appreciate all the advice you can give, I'm trying to absorb as much as I can right now. I want to do the best I can now

 

[Ilya]

Welcome. And good thing you've rescued him. He'll be your buddy for now on . Find a new cheap tank at craigslist (or take your friends tank).
Check my signature for some links.
Important: What's Cycling? New Tank And You've Already Got Fish
Giant Danio Information
Step-by-step Guide To Weekly Maintenance, For the beginner.
10 Rules For Healthy Fishkeeping.
Some newbie no-nos

Good Luck!

 

[community begginer]

congrats on the rescue.... though i must admit im not happy with your freind abandoning her tank for that long and letting all those fishies die... its sad...
but good luck with your new mate.

 

[Amunet]

Danios prefer to be in groups of 6+. And since they're so active, they really need alot of room. Far more than a 5 gallon provides unfortunatly. I'd consider getting a 10gallon and then getting at the very least, 3 more.
I wouldn't add in anything else with him right now though. The tank is new, so it's uncycled. So adding more fish will only make the ammonia go up very quickly and more than probably end up killing all of the fish.
Ilya provided some very helpful links that you should really check out

As for your danio. Giants danios get pretty big. And from what you said, the one you have is only just over 1inch. Regular danios get to about 2 inches long so you more than likely just have a regular lil danio on your hands

 

[vanillasugar]

Danios prefer to be in groups of 6+. And since they're so active, they really need alot of room. Far more than a 5 gallon provides unfortunatly. I'd consider getting a 10gallon and then getting at the very least, 3 more.
I wouldn't add in anything else with him right now though. The tank is new, so it's uncycled. So adding more fish will only make the ammonia go up very quickly and more than probably end up killing all of the fish.
Ilya provided some very helpful links that you should really check out

As for your danio. Giants danios get pretty big. And from what you said, the one you have is only just over 1inch. Regular danios get to about 2 inches long so you more than likely just have a regular lil danio on your hands

I'm beginning to realise that a 5 gallon isn't very big. I wish the girl at the store had told me to get a 10 gallon, I was just in such a rush to get him out of the betta keeper he was in, I bought what I was told I can't afford another tank now.

I'm glad to hear he's probably not a giant danio... I looked at their full grown size on the information page and got a little worried!

 

[Ilya]

It's alright. If it's just one fish. Look on craigslist. You can probably find a 20 gallon for the price of 10. It'll be used though, so you'll need to wash it.

 

[vanillasugar]

It's alright. If it's just one fish. Look on craigslist. You can probably find a 20 gallon for the price of 10. It'll be used though, so you'll need to wash it.

So wait, you're saying I can't fit anything else in this tank with him? I thought it was 1 inch of fish per gallon? I figured I could get at least two other small fish to keep him company... I don't have room in my apartment for a 20 gallon, which is why I don't have my friends tank. I could go up to a 10, but don't have more money for another tank now that I've bought this one. I'd really like to do best with what I've got...

 

[Ilya]

The more room for fish the better. You can probably fit another tank mate in.

Where do you live? I can help you look for a 10 gallon.

 

[vanillasugar]

Where do you live? I can help you look for a 10 gallon.

I appreciate your offer, but I'm really in a tight spot right now. I wasn't expecting to get fish, and the costs are adding up rather quickly. I've spent almost $100 on a rescue misson lol.

I'm going to try and cycle this tank, and try to do it properly and not hurt this little guy, and do my best with what I've got. I'd appreciate if you understood that I'm staying with a 5 gallon, and offered me advice to make this work as best as possible. I do wish I'd bought a 10 gallon in the first place, but I havn't, and now I'm tied down with what I have, at least for the next few months.

 

[bubblesburst80]

the fish is lucky to have survived and been given this second chance at all im sure you'll do what you can to keep him happy

xXx

 

[Ilya]

Where do you live? I can help you look for a 10 gallon.

I appreciate your offer, but I'm really in a tight spot right now. I wasn't expecting to get fish, and the costs are adding up rather quickly. I've spent almost $100 on a rescue misson lol.

I'm going to try and cycle this tank, and try to do it properly and not hurt this little guy, and do my best with what I've got. I'd appreciate if you understood that I'm staying with a 5 gallon, and offered me advice to make this work as best as possible. I do wish I'd bought a 10 gallon in the first place, but I havn't, and now I'm tied down with what I have, at least for the next few months.

When I say I can help you, I can help you. I've got a twenty two gallon tank, with gravel, a filter, ammonia, and all of the necessities for a little over 50 dollars. If you want a good tank, look for a deal with stuff that comes with it. If it works, then good for you. If it's dirty, then clean it.

Ask around for a free 10 gallon on craigslist. Someone will probably offer you one, especially if it's a rescue.

 

[Amunet]

If your heart is set on getting him some tank mates, I'd only go for getting 2 or 3 more danios and that's it.
You're also going to need to get yourself some liquid testers so you can monitor your water readings, such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH.
Not sure if getting them all seperate or in the master kit would be cheaper of the 2.

As the tank begins to cycle, you're going to need to be commited to doing every other day, maybe even every day water changes of 20-50%.. maybe more depending on readings to help prevent fish death from ammonia/nitrites.

Sounds like you're totally commited to helping the lil fish out though so I know you'll do what you can!

 

[branjie]

I'm a bit of a newbie myself, and don't know anything about Danios, so I'm not much help. I just wanted to say that I think you are doing a wonderful thing for this fish. He's a real survivor, so hopefully he'll get through this cycle with flying colours. Good on you for being such a caring person.

 

[vanillasugar]

AAH! Bad news guys... I think he's got fin rot His tail is looking much worse than it was when he came to me. Is treating that going to throw off the cycling?

 

[Ilya]

Not unless if it kills the ammonia/beneficial bacteria.