Pet Fish - where to start

[theITgirl]

DD wants some pet fish for her 6th Birthday.
We have found (brought from a friend) a tank and pump. The tank is probably about 10" high, 15" wide & 8" deep. The tank has a lid, we already have a cat!
I have kept goldfish in the dim and distant past, I won one in a fair that I kept in an icecream tub for a week till I could buy a tank, then had huge hassles trying to ask one of the daygirls to look after it each holiday. Bloody thing lasted for years - or else it died each holiday and was replaced by the daygirls mother. That tank had no pump and was just filled with fresh tap water after cleaning.

Now we have a pump and willing to get other bits necessary (will probably spend a further £40 including fish). Have also heard rumours about not using fresh tap water and controlling the temperature.

Can anybody advise me. I would like to get some pretty fish - make a change from the everlasting goldfish. What do I need, also I think you can get slow release tablets for feeding when away for the weekend? This would be nice as we have timed cat feeders for the cat. Anything longer and our lovely cat feeding neighbours would feed the fish for us as well.

Please start from the basics.
Thanks

I might be able to assist you there is SO much to tell you so I'll just answer your questions for now and give you a list of things to do at the end.

Right, first things first I have some bad news- your tank isn't big enough to keep fish in. I know that all pet shops sell those little beginner tanks and it's a real bugbear of mine because small tanks are really hard to keep fish healthy in. You shouldn't really consider anything less than 45 litres, but closer to 60 litres is an ideal size for a beginner (this would be approx 24x12x12 inches). The tank you have is only 20 litres.

Tap water is OK for keeping some fish in but you have to add conditioner that will remove the chlorine. You will also need to test a few things to make sure you get the right fish to match the water.

And you can get timed feeders for fish too they are much better than those slow release tablets that just mess up the water.

here's a list of things you need to keep fish successfully-

A tank of around 60 litres, doesn't need to be new or expensive as long as it doesn't leak!

A filter (fluval 2+ is a good size for a 60 litre tank)

A heater if you want to keep tropical fish (50 watts for a 60 litre tank) and a thermometer

A water test kit (this is absolutely essential!!)

FoodWater conditioner (like tap safe or aqua safe)

Cleaning equipment- syphon tube, bucket and gravel vac

Plus all the gubbins like gravel and plants and a 'no fishing' sign

It is quite complicated to start with but once you've got the basics then you'll be fine. The toughest part is choosing the right equipment and fish especially since shop staff are rubbish at giving advice 99% of the time. It's best to do your own research, if you just google 'fishkeeping sites' there are hundreds.

It can be an expensive hobby too but you can always get loads of bargains off ebay and freegle.

Hope that helps a bit, let me know if you need to know anything else

Oops, I also meant to add that you need to do a fishless cycle before you can actually get any fish. This can take up to 6 weeks and it's really really important because the fish can get ill if you don't do it. This article explains it all- www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles_51/fishless-cycling-article.htm

Six weeks !! for a fishless cycle - we need to go shopping in the next couple of days.
I assumed it would be a couple of days.

Now off to measure the tank

OK, thanks for your help so far.
The tank is 8" by 8" by 14" so even smaller than I thought.

Unfortunately this house is small and we probably do not have the space for a 60 litre tank. I will measure the place we are going to put it and check.

What can I keep in a tank this small?
Are a couple of goldfish my only option?

I assume goldfish are OK as my preious fish survived in a very small tank with fresh tap water after each clean.

Also we live in a very hard water area with lots of limescale.

No, you cannot keep any fish in a tank that small, they will not be able to live a long and healthy life in there. And goldfish get MASSIVE so they would be even more unsuitable. Sorry if it's not what you want to hear but I'm sure you don't want your DD to get upset by her fish dying.

How long did your goldfish survive for? Their life expectancy is around twenty years. If they are kept in a small tank they become stunted and their lifespan is considerably shortened. A healthy full-grown goldfish would be about 8-10 inches long, they are pond fish really.

A fellow Fishkeeping.co.uk'er?! :D Hellooooo!!!

Glad you linked to the fishless cycle.

I shall put my 'Nut-Job-fish-saving-warrior' hat away and bow out now....

Shh, don't out me, I'm moonlighting

I'd say there is one possibility with a tank this small (I make it 15 ltrs) and that is a Siamese fighter (betta). They do not require a lot of room to move in, being rather sedentary, and can cope with limited oxygen, being labyrinth fish; so as long as you keep on top of water changes should be ok. You can only keep a single fish though. But they have quite a bit of personality.

The other option would be small freshwater shrimps.

Goldfish absolutely not an option, as they grow large and are very active and make a lot of mess.

I couldn't even keep a betta in there with a clear conscience they're are so very susceptible to finrot and in a small tank like that it's going to be tough to maintain water quality.

Hi again. Had a chat with DH last night, we are going to measure the two possible spaces where we can put a fish tank and see what size tank will fit.

There is a good fish place near us and we will also ask their advise.

Budget has had to be increased!

From what you have said, I think we have to get a larger tank, absolute minimum is 45 litres, but preferably 60 litres. Also we need to get it now in order to do the water cycle thingy and be ready to put fish in for the middle of April.

We will use the shopping list kindly provided by sweetnitanitro and start off, we will probably put the tank in the garage for the next six weeks so we can start off the water cycle. Thanks for all your help so far and I will be back with more questions.

Do you know anyone who has a tank?

If yes, and they are willing, you can easily 'seed' a new tank using some of their filter media and water....

Have set up many a hospital tank this way and even a tank for a rescued Betta.

They need to be local otherwise the bacteria will die off too much.
If you were local to me I would gladly give you some of mine - have loads spare and alive for emergencies.