Red “honey” gourami

[WhistlingBadger]

Beautiful tank! Nicely done.

Sometimes we do what is ideal; other times reality intervenes, and we do what we can. My advice would be what you're already planning to do: Get the 10g as soon as you are able, and feel good that your fish will have a better life than it would have in a 1 gallon tank. Not ideal, perhaps not extremely long, but better. And if circumstances change, as they sometimes do, keep in mind that a 20 gallon long or 30 gallon would be better yet.

 

[CassCats]

10 gallon and leave it as her and the shrimp and you will be doing fine. Its not the ideal situation but it'd be acceptable. I think you're doing a good thing and can provide a home for her. I would recommend at least adding some good enrichment for her to make up for the little less space. Things to explore and graze on, they looooove grazing biofilm off things. Adding some oak twigs and stuff will grow some biofilm for her to enjoy

 

[Bella J]

Thank you!

I have a box of botanicals I was going to add to make a black water for the Betta I was planning on getting. I’ll boil them up tomorrow and add them in.

She does love to explore! She’s all in the plants and pecking at everything. She’s very personable and adorable!

 

[CassCats]

Oh don't even boil, toss em on in as is! The tannins are healthy, they provide antimicrobial properties and many softwater fish benefit from them.

 

[Bella J]

Yes I’ve had black water tanks for Betta’s in the past, like I said I’m not new to the hobby just new to this particular type of fish.

I would always recommend quick boiling botanicals to remove anything that may be on the leaves, wood, etc. just to be safe. There will still be a lot of tannins after a quick boil. Longer boiling or more than one boiling, less tannins. Plus boiling makes sure everything sinks.

I don’t particularly want a black water setup in this tank if I’m honest.

 

[VioletThePurple]

Thanks for your reply!

As I said in a previous post I can’t get a bigger tank, at least not for another 6 months. And even then it will be a maximum of 10 gallons.

I live with my parents and my tank is in my bedroom and I just don’t have the space for a 20 gallon. My guinea pigs take a quarter of my bedroom. I could fit a 10 gallon in if I get rid of the 6 gallon but I don’t have the funds to be doing that any time soon as I would need to buy the stand as well.

The shop wouldn’t take her back anyway, I phoned them today to explain their error and they stated I can’t return her even if I wanted to, which I don’t.

Other than rehoming her, which as you said, may land her in a worse situation.. this is the best I can do for the significant future.

I also have guinea pigs that take up a substantial area in my bedroom. However I have a 20 gallon as I cleared off a book shelf, so it's not impossible

 

[Bella J]

I also have guinea pigs that take up a substantial area in my bedroom. However I have a 20 gallon as I cleared off a book shelf, so it's not impossible

This has to be the stupidest comment I think I’ve ever seen.. You do understand that rooms come in different sizes right…? That your bedroom is probably substantially bigger than mine.

Did you comment just to comment? I see absolutely no substance in your comment at all.

Other than sizing down my guinea pigs which I will NOT be doing, a 10 gallon is the best I can do. They take priority over ONE tiny fish who is doing perfectly fine in the 6 gallon.

It’s people like you that deter people from posting on fish forums with your petty comments offering zero advice other than enjoying coming off holier than thou.

Good for you that you’re privileged enough to have the space to (hopefully) have your guinea pigs in at least the minimum size enclosure (hopefully you go above and beyond that) while having space for a 20 gallon tank. We don’t all that big enough bedrooms for this!

Thanks for your utterly useless comment.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Let's not get overly hostile. If someone makes a comment that you find unhelpful, just let it go. It happens all the time around here. You get used to it. Remember that tone of voice doesn't come through on a forum like this. A person who come across to you as privileged or insulting might very well just be trying to sound hopeful.

Again, it happens all the time.

 

[Bella J]

Let's not get overly hostile. If someone makes a comment that you find unhelpful, just let it go. It happens all the time around here. You get used to it. Remember that tone of voice doesn't come through on a forum like this. A person who come across to you as privileged or insulting might very well just be trying to sound hopeful.

Again, it happens all the time.

You know full well they were not trying to be helpful.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I know nothing of the kind. But Mrs. Badger would say that I'm garbage at mind reading.

 

[Bella J]

I don’t want to get into anything with you, you’ve been really nice and helpful.

 

[sharkweek178]

This chain has a terrible reputation for advice. But at least you saved the fish from a 1 gallon tank.

Most chains have employees that give bad advice. They're either untrained or trained badly while still being expected to answer customer questions. Or the profit motive creeps in and they are more motivated to make a sale than give good advice.

I'm saying that with the caveat that there are knowledgeable employees out there. But how is someone new to the hobby going to know the difference?

 

[Bella J]

Most chains have employees that give bad advice. They're either untrained or trained badly while still being expected to answer customer questions. Or the profit motive creeps in and they are more motivated to make a sale than give good advice.

I'm saying that with the caveat that there are knowledgeable employees out there. But how is someone new to the hobby going to know the difference?

I agree!

I think here in the UK at least in my experience. Pets At Home are the worst. Not just on fish but on all their animals.

They follow the 1inch per litre rule. It’s so outdated.

 

[sharkweek178]

I agree!

I think here in the UK at least in my experience. Pets At Home are the worst. Not just on fish but on all their animals.

They follow the 1inch per litre rule. It’s so outdated.

This site is a great resource. But otherwise, the only advice I would give is to immerse yourself in as much research as you can. Websites, videos and actual books. Join a local club so you can talk to other fish keepers. After a while, you'll figure out how to suss out the good info and the bad.

 

[Bella J]

thanks!