A little backstory. I am an accidental aquarium hobbyist. About 2 months ago, I got a very small aquarium (2-3 gallon) as a gift, and he also stuffed it with 7 fish! (I know!). I didn't know (moderator edit) about aquariums or fish, but the person who gave it to me, assured me its very easy and he has good experience. I knew right away that it seemed too small for those fish, but he told me that its not, as a matter of fact he was thinking about giving me 4 more fish. After doing a little bit of research I quickly found out that the aquarium was barely big enough to hold one fish. Anyways, as expected two fishes died within 48 hours.
I didn't have money handy to invest on a bigger tank or support system, or even knew what I needed to do. I kept changing 50% water. and gave them a little food once a day. The rest survived but they got spots on their body.
Fast-forward today, I finally forced myself to invest some money to help the fishies out. I am in south-east asia (bangladesh), though I am sure there are some knowledgeable fish-tank expert here in this country, but I don't know any of them. Even the store employees doesn't seem to know what they are talking about.
Yesterday, I bought a fish tank. They couldn't tell me how much it could hold, but after using an online calculator (Tank Volume Calculator) I figured out that it can hold about 17.5 gallon or about 66 litres (Length: 24inch, Width: 12 inch, height 14 inch) I filled it up to 4/5th of its capacity for now (at the store they told me to fill it up 50% in the beginning, not sure why). I got a submersible filter, those oxygen bubble thingies, food, medicine, salt. I got these mostly from the store employees recommendation, except for the filter - which I got it on my own choice. I also got couple of more fish, the store guy told me I could put about 40 fishes in this tank, I was skeptical, and should have used my better judgement before getting more fishes.
Now that the backstory is out of the way. I have some specific newbie questions. I did some online research, and I could learn from trial an error and kill some more fishies on the way. But I am hoping you guys can help me speed up the learning curve.
- First thing first, need help identify the fishies. They told me the name, but I forgot which is which. Also they used local name for the fish, not sure I could remember them anyway. There is this beautiful fishy, they told me is called "Fighter Fish", I looked up online and they are also known as "betta". Another fish, a big black one, which only sticks to the glass with its mouth, making sucking motion, I was told it sucks out algae buildup, doesn't seem to eat regular fish food, I couldn't take its picture because it always hiding behind the filter. Right now I have 1 betta/fighter-fish, 1 algae eating one, 2 medium white, 2 golden color, 1 grey color, 2 flat black ones, 2 golden mini-me. The white and big golden ones are from the old tank and they have spots on them. Altogether 11 fishies, can you help me identify them? fishies - Imgur
- Next these are the medicine they gave me. How often, or if I should use them, at all? medi - Imgur
- Regarding the salt, I have read online that unless there is specific illness, there is no need to put salt. I did put a little bit of salt initially, but I am thinking about skipping it from now on. http://i.imgur.com/JW7mg5th.jpg
- I am feeding them this. Thoughts? http://i.imgur.com/yvFbOoTh.jpg
- I got this submergible filter (High Quality ALEAS Aquarium Tank Submersible Filter Practical Keep Water Clean | eBay) Looks like a ****** chinese knockoff, but it seems to be doing the job. The store owner told me that I need to run it only 4-5 hours a day and it should clean water about 20%. Online research tells me, I need to keep it running 24/7 and it does more that filter out water, it somehow also helps the good bacteria to grow. The type that keeps healthy balance of the water. Also if I have the filter running, do I also need the oxygen/bubble thingie? Because the filter seems to provide lots of "aeration" and bubble and the bubble/oxygen thing it quite loud.
- How often, if I need to change the water? 50-20%?
- Can I add more (small) fish to my current setup?
- Any other general tips?
Thanks for taking the time to read through this wall of text and helping me with my newbie questions.
I didn't have money handy to invest on a bigger tank or support system, or even knew what I needed to do. I kept changing 50% water. and gave them a little food once a day. The rest survived but they got spots on their body.
Fast-forward today, I finally forced myself to invest some money to help the fishies out. I am in south-east asia (bangladesh), though I am sure there are some knowledgeable fish-tank expert here in this country, but I don't know any of them. Even the store employees doesn't seem to know what they are talking about.
Yesterday, I bought a fish tank. They couldn't tell me how much it could hold, but after using an online calculator (Tank Volume Calculator) I figured out that it can hold about 17.5 gallon or about 66 litres (Length: 24inch, Width: 12 inch, height 14 inch) I filled it up to 4/5th of its capacity for now (at the store they told me to fill it up 50% in the beginning, not sure why). I got a submersible filter, those oxygen bubble thingies, food, medicine, salt. I got these mostly from the store employees recommendation, except for the filter - which I got it on my own choice. I also got couple of more fish, the store guy told me I could put about 40 fishes in this tank, I was skeptical, and should have used my better judgement before getting more fishes.
Now that the backstory is out of the way. I have some specific newbie questions. I did some online research, and I could learn from trial an error and kill some more fishies on the way. But I am hoping you guys can help me speed up the learning curve.
- First thing first, need help identify the fishies. They told me the name, but I forgot which is which. Also they used local name for the fish, not sure I could remember them anyway. There is this beautiful fishy, they told me is called "Fighter Fish", I looked up online and they are also known as "betta". Another fish, a big black one, which only sticks to the glass with its mouth, making sucking motion, I was told it sucks out algae buildup, doesn't seem to eat regular fish food, I couldn't take its picture because it always hiding behind the filter. Right now I have 1 betta/fighter-fish, 1 algae eating one, 2 medium white, 2 golden color, 1 grey color, 2 flat black ones, 2 golden mini-me. The white and big golden ones are from the old tank and they have spots on them. Altogether 11 fishies, can you help me identify them? fishies - Imgur
- Next these are the medicine they gave me. How often, or if I should use them, at all? medi - Imgur
- Regarding the salt, I have read online that unless there is specific illness, there is no need to put salt. I did put a little bit of salt initially, but I am thinking about skipping it from now on. http://i.imgur.com/JW7mg5th.jpg
- I am feeding them this. Thoughts? http://i.imgur.com/yvFbOoTh.jpg
- I got this submergible filter (High Quality ALEAS Aquarium Tank Submersible Filter Practical Keep Water Clean | eBay) Looks like a ****** chinese knockoff, but it seems to be doing the job. The store owner told me that I need to run it only 4-5 hours a day and it should clean water about 20%. Online research tells me, I need to keep it running 24/7 and it does more that filter out water, it somehow also helps the good bacteria to grow. The type that keeps healthy balance of the water. Also if I have the filter running, do I also need the oxygen/bubble thingie? Because the filter seems to provide lots of "aeration" and bubble and the bubble/oxygen thing it quite loud.
- How often, if I need to change the water? 50-20%?
- Can I add more (small) fish to my current setup?
- Any other general tips?
Thanks for taking the time to read through this wall of text and helping me with my newbie questions.
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