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If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

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If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

Fishnet

New to the Goldfish business aaaaargh! Help. Please

30 replies

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 09:23

Dd woke up one day saying she wanted a goldfish, so after work dH went and bought the cheapest fish tank starter at Argos, and than, on Sat he bought 2 goldfish., food and a thing to put in the water.
We had to change the water already yesterday and I will have to do it again as the tank is smelling, the water isn't clear and the fish is constantly on the top struggling for oxygen.
so basically I need help in choosing the right tank from a UK store that sell online and delivers quickly. Meanwhile what do I need to do/buy to keep the fish alive. There is a Vet close by, I know they sell cat food, perhaps they sell fish sachets fir the water too, (sorry I'm not familiar) I can pop there and buy if needed, but won't have time to research online today and wont have time to go to a pet shop until the weekend.

I know DHabi shouldn't have bough the whole thing whiteout thinking property and probably should have bought 1 fish only, I had no part in this and just trying to save the situation as he works today until 10pm and I'm at home (I'm a CM), so for me will be easier to turn this around.
Thanks

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 09:32

ah, and we need a tank that will seat on the top of the TV cabinet Iraq side table

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 09:33

I don't know where /Iraq/came from in the above post

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Lancelottie · 04/02/2013 09:39

I'd say what you do is take them back to the shop.

You can't generally keep goldfish alive for long without a huge tank with really good filtration. They'll essentially be dying of ammonia overload. Sorry!

Lancelottie · 04/02/2013 09:40

(You really don't want to know how big a tank it would take for healthy goldfish... )

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 09:54

so I can't have a small or medium size tank with all the accessories in place for a goldfish.? As I said I'm a CM and the petshop is not close at all, I don't drive and I can't take all the children, double pushchair, and fish there today. isn't there another option even if I change the water and buy stuff to put in it while a proper tank arrives.?

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 09:54

Agree with Lancelottie, sorry :(

Goldfish grow very, very large (they do not grow to the size of their tank!) and so they need a huge tank with a whacking great filter to keep them healthy. If people knew how much stuff goldfish needed then they would suddenly become the least popular pet in the UK.

If you really do want to keep the goldfish then you'll need to get a bigger tank. Some people upgrade as their fish grows but I wouldn't recommend that as it's hard to tell when a fish starts becoming stunted (this is when they become deformed from being kept in a too-small tank- bit like a bonsai tree). So you'll need to start with a tank big enough for 2 goldfish. Tank recommendations are here. Make sure you are sitting down! There's no chance at all that you can keep goldfish healthy in a tank that will sit on the TV stand, sorry.

Unless you've got some dechlorinator then there's nothing you can do for now apart from hope the goldfish doesn't snuff it, and then take the fish back to the shop ASAP. They will not survive in one of those goldfish starter tanks. Unfortunately there are no laws about what can be sold as a fish tank so a lot of the things on the market are not suitable. Maybe some customer feedback to Argos would help.

A goldfish can live 20 years so it's not a short-term commitment. Your DH needs to think it through before getting any pet! Fish tanks need 6 weeks of preparation before they are safe for fish to live in. They also need lots of water testing with chemicals etc. some of which can be harmful. They are fine as a family pet but not really suitable if a child is going to be their main carer.

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 09:55

so how big is the smallest tank needed and can you please link?

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 10:01

thanks for the link, I will check now and just to clarify it isn't my fault, I had no part in this and now just trying to do my best to solve the situation while looking after toddlers. also I'm angry with shops selling unsuitable products as the instructions have a goldfish picture and says it is suitable, also the pet shop stuff obviously didn't ask any questions or give any instructions but I understand this isn't their responsibility

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 10:04

I did post a link with tank size recommendations. For 2 regular fish-shaped goldfish you'd need at least 240 litres.

For 2 fancy goldfish (the fat round ones with long fins) you'd need at least 190 litres.

That may sound like a lot but the ones you have are babies. They get big. Seriously big.

EauRouge · 04/02/2013 10:06

Ah, getting angry with the shop is the start of being a proper fishkeeper If you don't have space for goldfish (and let's face it, most people don't) then there are loads of smaller fish that are cheap and easy to keep. If you let us know how much space you have for a tank then I can recommend something. I'd go with a minimum of 45 litres, any smaller than that is not recommended for fish by the RSPCA.

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 10:07

I have read your link do you mind linking me a complete tank that I can buy now? sorry due to work I don't have time to research properly and want to avoid more mistakes

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 10:10

I can make space, just please link me the smallest but suitable tank, if not for goldfish , in case these two I have here don't make it , any other kind of fish for begginers. please

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 10:11

also why do we usually see goldfish in small round bowls in tv and pictures, it's so misleading

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 10:33

I'm going to buy declorinator today if this ks the thing that comes into sachets for the waters? please link me a tank for me to buy online today, I'm worried sick

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 10:41

Complete tanks with built in filters are generally not enough for goldfish. They poo like crazy, you need a massive hefty filter.

Not many places will sell and deliver a tank big enough for goldfish. Ebay would probably be your best bet. Dunno whereabouts you are but this is a pretty good deal.

Am with you on the goldfish bowls! Some places still sell them, it's crazy. Fortunately now things are changing and fish are now protected by law. The problem is that a lot of experts who work for the aquatic companies can't seem to agree on what exactly goldfish need so prosecuting people for cruelty would be tough. It's hard enough for mammals and not many people give a shit about fish. They are the ultimate replaceable cheap pet :(

EauRouge · 04/02/2013 10:42

Sorry, I keep x posting! Yes, dechlorinater will really help. You could do daily water changes until you can sort something out (this is a very short term solution). Does the starter kit have a filter?

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 11:05

thank for the link but can't collect. I'm London. no the starter tank is shit but I can't get angry with dh, if you don't know about fish you would believe in what they say. isn't there any shop in UK that delivers? really? I'm off to try and buy the declorinather, hope they have it on the Vet

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 11:16

You'd be best off trying somewhere local. Those big tanks weigh a ton and obv they are breakable. I know my local fish shop delivers in a 20 mile radius or something, I bet you'll be able to find one. Just avoid Pets at Home!

Which part of London?

Some bigger supermarkets sell dechlorinater if the vet doesn't sell it.

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 11:23

it's SW. no big supermarkets that I can go in today with lots of toddlers. will try the vet and the small ones. tomorrow morning will venture to the nearest pet shop and see if they can deliver a tank, actually I will find their number and call today to make sure. as it involves going on the tube or a long bus ride, I need to plan in advance and check with parents.

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sweetestB · 04/02/2013 11:27

I'm wondering, since I'm going there tomorrow, should I return the goldfish and come back home with a complete tank and with other kind of fish ?

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 11:29

No. As I said earlier, a tank needs 6 weeks preparation before it is ready for fish. I would return the fish and then have a think about whether it will fit into your lifestyle. Fish live a long time, they are expensive and complicated to look after. Then there's practical stuff like who will look after them if you go away. Every pet needs a lot of consideration before you decide to get one.

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 11:33

I will return the fish tomorrow and do s research with dh. Thanks

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Lancelottie · 04/02/2013 12:38

We have six titchy fish in a 60 litre tank.

Ours are zebra fish (danios) and need a small heater but are otherwise pretty easy (if you don't mind guddling about doing partial water changes every weekend). Mountain minnows are similar size cold-water ones.

sweetestB · 04/02/2013 13:23

eau and lancelottie, thanks for helping.
would you please be able to link a suitable tank for zebra danios.?

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EauRouge · 04/02/2013 13:36

Something like this would be a great tank to start with. It's all there and easy to set up. It has a heater so if you wanted you could have tropical fish- there are loads to choose from. The hardest part would be knowing which fish could live in there, but we can help with that. :)

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