My Fish

[lilfishie]

the waste and the issue of needing complete different temperatures, i'm sure you really care about your fish, were just trying to advice you on whats best for them which will make them happies which will make you happier

 

[vinylman]

First of all, I read your posts. Secondly, I don't imply anything. Thirdly, you have no thermometer so you - in your own words - ''can simply assume it's at room temperature (what ever that might be)''; you also assume they are happy and stress free. As I obviously have read your posts, it looks as though you assume a great deal more than I. The fact remains that you can't keep either fish in their optimum conditions. You haven't listed the Nitrite levels, which are just as important as Ammonia. Also, as Lilfishie has pointed out, the tank is simply too small.

 

[Chubbywubs]

The fish store i bought them from (pets at home) had them in the same tank, if you bought the fantailed you got a couple of tetras free (think it was about 5 they came with) but the original 3rd fish i got kept eating them, so i had to take that back, hence why im left with just the two tetra.


As for the waste, other than the nitrate and nitrait levels (which im going to test this evening) everything seems to be perfect.


Obviously if its going to effect the health of the fish then yeah i have no choice but to take them back. But they genuinlly do seem happy, they dont bit at each other, so they must have enough room to avoid each other, there are lots of hiding places, in the rocks and helmets for the tetras to swim in and around, as well as the depth of the tank.

 

[lilfishie]

they may look happy, my betta that had swimbladder looked happy apart from the floating, IME pets at home and other large chain stores aren't bothered about the fish they just sell as much as they can after all, if they keep dieing then many just go back and buy new ones, in future this is the place for all advice and any info you want about your tank or fish, there a many members here some more experienced than others but were all here to help no matter what

 

[-germ-]

Chubby;
Leaving aside the important issue of tank temperature for a second....
The goldfish cannot live happily in that size a tank,as you say you have done your research so maybe you simply missed this point?
The accumulation of waste won't be good for your fish, and not to be nasty but alot of fish die while in good colouration, you can't really base a fishes health on its colour, although in some cases it can be a good indicator that there is a health problem this doesn't necessarily always apply.
I'm not even insinuating that your fish are ill now, but in the long run taking into consideration the main two points raised (temp and size) your fish may eventually suffer for it. If not directly killed by it, both issues could reduce your fishes lifespan.
If some posters sound to you a little snappy, don't worry, they care about their fish, as you obviously do by posting and trying to learn via this site.
You should listen to what they all have to say, they are only trying to help you.

 

[-germ-]

Oops, in addition, Lilfishies post raises a good point, ignore any info provided by your LFS, they are salesmen, if they don't encourage sales (sometimes by lying, i've been a salesman and know what its like) then the business whos employ they are under will eventually close and they will have; no job and no money.
Even if at home they care for their fish that doesn't mean they won't give you bad advice just to get your money.

Realistically without the goldfish you could maybe make a few small additions that will be just as colourful and interesting to watch as your goldies, you may have become attached to them, but then surely you should put their long term well being first.

 

[Chubbywubs]

ok ive done my nitrate and nitrite tests.


Nitrate is 20-40 looks more like 20 than it does 40. and Nitrite is just under 0.25 Its not quite purple but its not pure bright blue either. Is there like a chemical i can add to drop it to 0?


also do you know of any really good chemicals to improve the bacteria in the filter? because the nitrate level seems a bit high and im just wondering if its because of the new filter sponge (i only change one at a time and very rarely, but that would still half the bacteria)

 

[-germ-]

You can add SeaChem prime which would detoxify the nitrite...
I'd just do a water change or 2 though.
Your opinions on keeping the goldfish?

The bacteria won't remove nitrate, the only way to keep it down is through partial water changes.

 

[vinylman]

Water changes (daily, if needed)will get the nitrites down. To check the nitrate level from the tap, put some tapwater into a cup and test it, then measure the difference between that and the nitrate level in the tank but 20 doesn't seem too bad.

 

[Chubbywubs]

well im not sure if its 20 or 40, i cant really tell the difference. I've done a water change, ive also removed all of the ornaments in my attempts to find my missing pleco (which ive now unfortunatly found) so im going to clean the gravel which usually takes out about 20% of the ornaments and that should clear it up, and then ill redo the tests. I usually do a small water change weekly, and clean the gravel which usually takes out about 20-25% every two weeks. i also rinse the filter everyweek so if i continue i should be able to maintain a health level accross the board, unfortunatly i wasnt able to do it last week as i wasnt home from uni, and my parents had to look after them for me. So if i can maintain lower levels i should be able to keep them, because it seems the main argument for me to give them back seems to be an issue of waste of nitrate/nitrite levels, but if i can keep them low surely i can keep them.


Because they are beautiful fish, and you do sort of get attatched to them once youve spent so long looking after them, so i dont really want to give them back

You can add SeaChem prime which would detoxify the nitrite...
I'd just do a water change or 2 though.
Your opinions on keeping the goldfish?

The bacteria won't remove nitrate, the only way to keep it down is through partial water changes.

Id rather just increase my main water changes to weekly than add chemicals.

 

[vinylman]

Please believe me, it isn't a matter of Nitrites and Nitrates being as low as possible (of course that can only be a good thing), it's a matter of keeping either the Tropicals or the Coldwater fish in the optimum conditions. I know it's a difficult choice, but it really is the crux of the matter. Coldwater fish and Tropical fish have different metabolisms; from that perspective alone, it has to be either/or.

 

[Genie]

buy a bigger tank for the goldfish. Try ebay or the buy, swap sell bit on this forum. That way you get to keep both.
Its unfair on the fishes not to be kept at their preferred temp.

 

[Chubbywubs]

They dont prefer a certain temperature, its just where there food source grows in certain areas. Not to mention tetras are pretty hardy and easily adaptable.

 

[Genie]

my dad thinks the same. He had a goldfish and a gourami and a RTBS all in a cold water tank. no amount of coercing would make him seperate them. They are fine, and seem healthy. The goldfish died a little while ago, but the other 2 are still in cold water. But, i too had a gourami, and have had a RTBS before, and they are not acting the same. They arent growing much (when they are 2 fish known to grow in size), and they arent swimming like they do in tropical temperatures. If you didnt have the comparison, you wouldnt notice the difference. But there is one.

Try telling him that though

 

[Chubbywubs]

its hard to part with something to like especially when they look healthy, my tetras are just under 2 inchs, and from what i've read thats about there normal size when fully grown, and i bought them when they were babies, so maybe they have simply adapted to the tanks conditions.