Worried About New Fish

[fluttermoth]

It's not so much that they'll be 'suffering', as in being in pain, or actually unhappy so much, but they won't grow to their full potential (which, just to clarify, can be up to 8" long and 15 or 20 years old). They'll end up stunted, which means they'll stop growing and that will shorten their lifespan considerably

I know how you feeel and it is difficult, but they really do need a much bigger tank.

 

[Skins]

So if I were to keep all three in the new tank (which they are in now, and are swimming round together, madly dancing up and down where the filter is working and seem incredibly happy) will they definately be suffering? How can you tell if a fish is suffering, and what exactly is meant by this? I would find it very hard to take them back, and there is no gurantee the next home they have will be a big one

Short term they will be fine but long term when they double/treble in size things will start to get a little cramped, on top of that will be there waste to deal with which will get messy. Another way of looking at this is to imagine yourself in your bedroom and never being able to leave for 10 years.

Keith.

 

[hillbilly]

It has been very sad to read this thread as through no fault of your own you are being told you have brought these fish into unsuitable conditions which will lead to them living shortened and possibly unhappy lives.

The posters are all correct and they would all like the best to be done for these fish, but the fact is the vast majority of goldfish passing through the pet trade lead very short stressful and possibly painful lives before they die in some totally unsuitable bowl. It would be best if the aquarium trade were unable to sell them to the general public, but that never going to happen.

Which brings me to these 3 specific fish. Would it be best for them if they were returned to the aquarium shop and left to an uncertain fate (and I think we could guess what that will be!), or with your new knowledge could you not provide a environment which, whilst not optimal, would give them more comfort and contentment throughout their (shortened) lives.

You are obviously quite young, but also very caring, and it is a difficult decision to make. It is something nobody would like to have thrust upon them. But that is life.

Do bear in mind that things can change and possibly you may be able to get a larger tank in the future or maybe you may move to a house with a pond, which is probably the beast home for a goldfish.

Good Luck.

 

[kittencapes]

It has been very sad to read this thread as through no fault of your own you are being told you have brought these fish into unsuitable conditions which will lead to them living shortened and possibly unhappy lives.

The posters are all correct and they would all like the best to be done for these fish, but the fact is the vast majority of goldfish passing through the pet trade lead very short stressful and possibly painful lives before they die in some totally unsuitable bowl. It would be best if the aquarium trade were unable to sell them to the general public, but that never going to happen.

Which brings me to these 3 specific fish. Would it be best for them if they were returned to the aquarium shop and left to an uncertain fate (and I think we could guess what that will be!), or with your new knowledge could you not provide a environment which, whilst not optimal, would give them more comfort and contentment throughout their (shortened) lives.

You are obviously quite young, but also very caring, and it is a difficult decision to make. It is something nobody would like to have thrust upon them. But that is life.

Do bear in mind that things can change and possibly you may be able to get a larger tank in the future or maybe you may move to a house with a pond, which is probably the beast home for a goldfish.

Good Luck.

I am not actually that young (and slightly embarrassed I come across as it!). I have discussed the matter with my boyfriend, and we have decided to keep them, whilst some people will probably not agree with our decision, we have them now, and can't be sure they would end up with a better tank anyway.

We are going to do everything we can to make the tank as suitable as possible, and hopefully you will all stand by our decision and continue to offer advice!

If it means buying a bigger tank in a few months then that is what we will do. At the moment they live in a corner of the kitchen, so if we had a bigger tank I might need to re-think where they go, but I am sure we could make a space in the lounge. What size tank should I be looking at getting?

I am quite cross at the aquarium to be honest, whilst I know they want to make money, you trust what the 'expert' tells you.

Anyway please let me know what size tank they need, and if you can recommend any good ones/ or places to get one from.

Below is a link to a video of them in their tank - you will notice that one is stil very quiet http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctnE-Ol2ChU

Many thanks

 

[hillbilly]

Sorry if I judged your age incorrecly, but at 60 most people seem young to me!

I keep tropicals so I will let the coldwater people advise on what size tank would be "ideal".

 

[kittencapes]

Sorry if I judged your age incorrecly, but at 60 most people seem young to me!

I keep tropicals so I will let the coldwater people advise on what size tank would be "ideal".

I'm 26 so guess I am a fair bit younger! Still I love any animal dearly and am determined to help these little fish have a happy life!

 

[Harlequins]

The quiet one doesn't look too good unfortunately,has it been eating at all?

 

[weezebegs]

The quiet one doesn't look too good unfortunately,has it been eating at all?

I am in the same situation as you as bought from a recommended LFS to be told bad adivice and now have one lost fish.

If I had known that forums like this had existed I would have read up on all these comments and done it differently.

If I had rushed into buying my fish then I would have said serves you right Louise, but I didn't, weeks back and forth to the shop, bought tank, bought fish and now found out I am still doing it wrong...

Good luck and keep learning like I am.....and thanks to you pro's

 

[Skins]

Hello Kittencapes,
In my view weather you keep your present fish or not, myself and the other members would be willing to give you advice when you required it.

Keep us all posted, Keith.

 

[Harlequins]

Hello Kittencapes,
In my view weather you keep your present fish or not, myself and the other members would be willing to give you advice when you required it.

Keep us all posted, Keith.

+1 same here

 

[kittencapes]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I am very grateful to have some experts willing to help me! I am still cross at the aquarium for not giving us better advice, but it is done now and the little fish are here. Brutus does not look well at all, he has been like this since we had him really so over a week. However when I go to feed them he does shoot up and has his share, and now and then he will swim around with the other two. It is horrible looking at him sat there though

I am off now to do another water change for them, just wish the water test kit would hurry up and arrive!

Are there any good websites for getting bigger tanks from?

 

[-FighterFishh]

With my fish I've found that they only show signs of stress after about a week of buying them.
Maybe just put in a teaspoon or two of aquarium salt dissolved in water from the tank to try and perk him up a bit? That always seems to work with mine

 

[Harlequins]

If you're after cheaper secondhand tanks,then ebay is a good place to start or over in the classifieds section on here,are you in the uk?

 

[kittencapes]

Yes I am based in London. Just seen this on the Pets at Home website; http/www.petsathome.com/shop/biorb-life-black-60ltr-aquarium-starter-kit-(online-only)-16393

Its rather expensive but would look lovely - is it a decent tank?

 

[Harlequins]

That is very expensive for a 60l tank this will still be too small for your wee goldies in the future,you'd need at least 40 + gallon tank to keep them happy

Have a shop around the net,you can get some bargains