Does goldfish need company?

[Tlozzerz]

Hi all,

Having learnt the hard misinformed way about tank cycling I have just lost one of my 2 goldfish.

I have a 70l tank and now have just 1 comet goldfish (who will be going to a pond when too big), plus baby butterfly loach and a couple of tiny snails just showed up (I'm watching them...)

Will Finlay need a new mate? Or is he happy alone?

Thanks
Tina

 

[Cynic]

He'll be much happier alone in a 70L than he will with a friend in a 70L

 

[Tlozzerz]

I think it's a good idea just to let him grow, put him a pond and find the loach some more suitable room mates.

I am so fed up of the whole aquarium thing and it's purely due to chain pet store giving total misinformation about everything!! My little boy has lost 2 fish now and I have spent so much time in fish water I should have grown fins!!

But I will persevere, the worst is hopefully over and I have learnt a lot so hopefully we can run a happy aquarium now.

Thanks everyone x

 

[Krissycakes]

This hobby can be frustrating at times, but pays off in the long run. Don't worry you have us here on AA to help.

 

[Cynic]

There would be so few people on this forum that didn't make the mistake of listening to their LFS. Most people however learn from their mistake and start to research which in turns leads to greater understanding, appreciation and finally enjoyment.

 

[Tlozzerz]

My 2yr old and I have taken our remaining comet fish to a beautiful large pond with waterfalls and lily pads in the gardens at a hospice where my husband works. We are feeling v good about this

Went to our real aquarium shop who are great, have advised us to go tropical in a week or so and to slowly ease up the temp for Barry the remaining loach to adjust, got him some nice big wood and good food and can now look forward to choosing some beautiful tropicals with sensible advice

 

[Zimmanski]

My 2yr old and I have taken our remaining comet fish to a beautiful large pond with waterfalls and lily pads in the gardens at a hospice where my husband works. We are feeling v good about this Went to our real aquarium shop who are great, have advised us to go tropical in a week or so and to slowly ease up the temp for Barry the remaining loach to adjust, got him some nice big wood and good food and can now look forward to choosing some beautiful tropicals with sensible advice

Don't forget that butterfly loaches, aka hillstream loaches, prefer cooler water than most tropical fish. Usually between 65-72F is what they will do best in, where most tropical fish prefer 72-80F

 

[Tlozzerz]

Aaa ah! It's so confusing! Aquarium specialist shop told me loach could live at either fresh or tropical. Soooo frustrating

 

[Cynic]

Aaa ah! It's so confusing! Aquarium specialist shop told me loach could live at either fresh or tropical. Soooo frustrating

Whenever anyone tells you anything about fish, listen but take no action till you've researched it elsewhere.

 

[Zimmanski]

Aaa ah! It's so confusing! Aquarium specialist shop told me loach could live at either fresh or tropical. Soooo frustrating

Loaches in general can, there are tropical temp loaches like clown loaches, polka dot loaches, ect. and there are cool water like your hillstream loach, there are a few that can handle both though like the weather loach I believe. Even my LFS which has many very knowledgable sales people, I double and triple check everything and do my own research before buying. When I go to the LFS looking for a new fish, I won't buy anything the first time for sure, write down everything I like, then go home and spend a couple hours on Google haha