I've just been offered on freecycle...

[ImNotAnsweringIt]

I put a 'Wanted' for a fish tank as ours is losing water. Someone kindly replied they had one they no longer needed and I could have it. Then said as an afterthought;I'll even donate the one fish too! Not sure they'll do if I say yes to the tank but no to the poor fish!

So, I know nothing about fish but have kept alive 2 goldfish which my neighbour gave us (thanks) in a (now leaky) tank. I like them, I've bought all the kit and think I know what they need to be kept clean and healthy. I have no idea about the wisdom of introducing a new fish though; good idea or fraught with danger?

Are the fish they are offering you goldfish?

How big is the tank (will there be room for your fish and the other fish?

Goldfish need a large tank, if i was you i would get the tank and the fish, if they are normal goldfish (not fancy ones) then find a pond to put them in (if you know anyone with a pond), chances are they are getting rid because the fish are too big for the tank.

I'll check it's a goldfish (just the one). We need a tank urgently as away for 3 days next week and not here to mop up/top up current tank!

If it's a GF and we take the tank/fish, are they likely to be ok initially? I know you can't say for sure but generally; do they fight or bully or should it be fine to introduce a new fish? Lots of juggling with water will be needed too I'm guessing!

They should be ok together (i'm always introducing new fish to my tank although they are not gold fish), as long as the tank is big enough so they have plenty of room to swim and get away from each other, sometimes you might get a fish that will bully the others but i don't think it happens very often.

If you can transfer the water from the old tank to the new one it would be better for the fish, i'm guessing you will be using the same filter from the old tank which will also be good as all the good bacterea is in the filter.

If your tank is big enough then it's OK to introduce other goldfish, make sure you quarantine it first though.

If it's not a goldfish then I'd be wary, people are always off-loading tankbusters onto people this way. Some fish you can buy as juveniles can reach 3 or 4 feet in length and they are bloody hard to get rid of.