help! no idea what to do with it!

[franc1987]

Helppppp Ive just inherited a fish tank/aquarium from a friend of mine who didnt want them. Iv wanted one for ages and this was completely out of the blue and now i dont hav a clue what to do with them, what fish they are, what temperature they should be at etc
First of all ill describe the tank. I dont no what size it is but it currently houses 5 very small fish about |_________________| that big. It has a filter a pump a temperature thingy and a light. There is a couple of artifical plants in there and a pot boat thingy oh and pebbles.
I need to no what the fish are called. I no the name of one of the fish, i think its a tiger fish (thats what she called it) and it just burries in the pebbles or hides in the boat. Also there are 4 other fish. I hav no idea which ones they are and i would be grateful for any advice or help you can give me. Iv attached pictues. The person who gave them us said the temperature for the tank had to be at 77F( around 25C) but it currently lies at 80F (27C) which is worrying and i dont no how to get it down. Does anybody know what type of aquarium i have or how to look after it? Last night when i got it home i took the fish out and gave it a good clean as on the drive back a lot of nasty stuff got stirred up to the point where you couldnt see through the water. I no your not ment to do that but the filter sponge (dunno its name) was black with dirt and muck so i thort i better. How often am i ment to clean the filter and also how often do i feed them? i would be grateful for any help or advice you can give me as i really dont no what to do! Also does anyone no the maximum number of fish that can be put in there and what type of fish do i use i really have no idea.
I have attached a picture of the type of fish i have and a picture of the tank but i couldnt get a picture of what i suspect to be a tiger fish because i couldnt find it!
Thanks a lot
a distressed fish owner xx

 

[David]

I forgot what that fish in the photo is called, but I know it's some kind of small tetra. The other fish you described sounds like a clown loach, or a tiger barb. No offense, but it was pretty irresponsible of the owner not to tell you in more detail what you have to do. The filter can be rinsed every water change or so (rinsed, NOT washed with soap and water), and about 30-40% of the water should be changed every week. The fish should be fed once daily with flakes or whatever food the previous owner gave you. (Or just follow the instructions on the back). As for the temperature, just wait for it to drop.

 

[Theodosia]

I'm probably not the best one to be replying to you, but I noticed noone else had yet and i thought you might like a response.
I am a novice at this but I have learned that the best way to ask a question here is to have some idea of what I am asking.
If you go to the beginner section it will answer a lot of your questions. Like water temperature, and cleaning your tank.
Hopefully you have not done too much damage by cleaning. The fish don't like water right out of the tap, you have to let it sit for a day or so or get something that takes the chlorine out. And I know from personal experiance that changing too much water will kill the poor things. As will shock from moving them from tank to tank or moving their tank. They have probably been through a lot being moved and all.
Go to the pet store and ask questions. If it sounds like bad advise or weird ask someone else. I've found there are a lot of experts who will gladly help you kill your pets.
The biggest thing is not to panic. Being as I am very compulsive, I want to fix it right now. But that can be very dangerous for a fish. You are in control of their entire environment. It's not like with a dog. You don't supply then with air.
Good luck.

 

[clutterydrawer]

i answered in your other thread.

 

[skimpy]

Was gonna answer you but I see in you repeated thread in beginners questions and that you seem to have got some really good advice from clutterydrawer.

Only left to wish you good luck