11 replies to this topic

[Morag]

Hi everyone, 

 

My best friend was given an unwanted fish, we have no idea what species it is or how to care for it. The fish lives in an empty vase, and will need a proper tank with enrichment, and given the previous owners care standards likely new food (fish was eating "goldfish flakes"). He doesn't know where to start on species identification or caring for the fish; I thought we could ask here as I've noticed many of you are super knowledgeable on fish

 

Eta: also if anyone knows how we safely freshen his water that would be really helpful. My best friend and I are frantically googling and trying to figure everything out, too, hoping we can get the fish new equipment before the pet store closes. 

 

He's really cute! He has a long, black fin (it looks like a thigh-high stiletto ) 

 

 

Thank you so much!

Edited by Morag, 04 May 2021 - 05:24 AM.

[Lightning~]

Swordtail, male (: a group of 5 or 6 need a 10 gallon, 6 to 10 need a 15 and 10 to 20 need a 20 gallon. They can eat flake food, but chose a vriaty, they are socal aND need to be in groups of other sword tails or guppies, posiby mollies the males have the long tip at the end of there tails, but female look more like guppies. They should have a planted tank, hides are not needed, but recommend, I would not recommend housing with bigger tetras. Neon tetras and rednosed are ok, though, hope this helps!

Edited by unicornblast5000, 04 May 2021 - 05:45 AM.

[Brownie~s♥️buddy]

He is a lovely little swordtail! They are a social fish ♥ though I would focus on a ten-gallon and water conditioner for now

 

If your friend does decide to get a couple more swordtails (or platys), try to get only males (which yours is), as these are live-bearers and will quickly overrun a 10-gal if you get both male & female!

 

The goldfish flakes are actually okay for him right now, but he only needs a pinch (depending on the size of the flakes) at a feeding. Especially in that small container

[Morag]

Swordtail, male (: a group of 5 or 6 need a 10 gallon, 6 to 10 need a 15 and 10 to 20 need a 20 gallon. They can eat flake food, but chose a vriaty, they are socal aND need to be in groups of other sword tails or guppies, posiby mollies the males have the long tip at the end of there tails, but female look more like guppies. They should have a planted tank, hides are not needed, but recommend, I would not recommend housing with bigger tetras. Neon tetras and rednosed are ok, though, hope this helps!

 

 

He is a lovely little swordtail! They are a social fish ♥ though I would focus on a ten-gallon and water conditioner for now

 

If your friend does decide to get a couple more swordtails (or platys), try to get only males (which yours is), as these are live-bearers and will quickly overrun a 10-gal if you get both male & female!

 

The goldfish flakes are actually okay for him right now, but he only needs a pinch (depending on the size of the flakes) at a feeding. Especially in that small container

 

Thank you both so much! We're trying to figure out all the supplies needed. Unfortunately we're in a stay at home/shelter in place/lockdown because of Covid and can't go into a pet store to talk to staff. 

 

Do you think he'll die in this water? We wont be able to get any supplies until tomorrow (everything is curbside pickup here, so you have to place your order then go get it the next day). I'm not sure if changing it tonight, to move into a new tank tomorrow, will be too stressful for him. 

[Brownie~s♥️buddy]

Thank you both so much! We're trying to figure out all the supplies needed. Unfortunately we're in a stay at home/shelter in place/lockdown because of Covid and can't go into a pet store to talk to staff. 

 

Do you think he'll die in this water? We wont be able to get any supplies until tomorrow (everything is curbside pickup here, so you have to place your order then go get it the next day). I'm not sure if changing it tonight, to move into a new tank tomorrow, will be too stressful for him. 

 

I wouldn't use straight tap water, as it's likely been treated with Chlorine or Chloramine for human consumption. (CAN water treatment facilities use either on a quick google search)

 

If you have bottled water (not tap filled), you could freshen his water that way. But Chlorine or Chloramine will kill fish pretty quickly. That is what the Water Conditioner is for, to bind up or remove those dangerous chemicals.

 

I'm not sure what is available in your area (don't share location specifics for safety), but you could get a small bottle of Ammonia/Chloramine remover from Dollar General or Walmart if you have those nearby; a grocery store that has a pet section, may also have a small bottle (it won't be the best product, but definitely better than nothing!)

[Morag]

I wouldn't use straight tap water, as it's likely been treated with Chlorine or Chloramine for human consumption. (CAN water treatment facilities use either on a quick google search)

 

If you have bottled water (not tap filled), you could freshen his water that way. But Chlorine or Chloramine will kill fish pretty quickly. That is what the Water Conditioner is for, to bind up or remove those dangerous chemicals.

 

I'm not sure what is available in your area (don't share location specifics for safety), but you could get a small bottle of Ammonia/Chloramine remover from Dollar General or Walmart if you have those nearby; a grocery store that has a pet section, may also have a small bottle (it won't be the best product, but definitely better than nothing!)

 

Yes, our tap water is treated like that. From what I've found, it looks like the recommendation in Canada is when filling a tank with tap water you have to treat the water with conditioner and run the filter for 24 hours before adding the fish. We managed to find a reasonably priced 10 gallon aquarium kit that looks like it will be perfect to get started. I didn't realize that keeping fish and maintaining an aquarium is something of a science - it's really interesting! (I kind of want fish now, too )

Anyways, thank you so much for your help! 

[ajuniceuhamsters]

Yes, our tap water is treated like that. From what I've found, it looks like the recommendation in Canada is when filling a tank with tap water you have to treat the water with conditioner and run the filter for 24 hours before adding the fish. We managed to find a reasonably priced 10 gallon aquarium kit that looks like it will be perfect to get started. I didn't realize that keeping fish and maintaining an aquarium is something of a science - it's really interesting! (I kind of want fish now, too )

Anyways, thank you so much for your help! 

If you have a water filter that you use to filter your water before you drink it from the tap, you can use that if you don't have access to the water conditioner, but only for the moment. I'd recommend leaving the tank to run for about a month in normal cases, but since they need it right away, once you get the tank I'd clean it out, set it up and leave the pump running for maybe a day and then put it in. For now, maybe putting him in a large plastic container with filtered water would be best? It'll be better than that bag i think

[Morag]

If you have a water filter that you use to filter your water before you drink it from the tap, you can use that if you don't have access to the water conditioner, but only for the moment. I'd recommend leaving the tank to run for about a month in normal cases, but since they need it right away, once you get the tank I'd clean it out, set it up and leave the pump running for maybe a day and then put it in. For now, maybe putting him in a large plastic container with filtered water would be best? It'll be better than that bag i think

 

That's really good to know, thanks! My friend had a jug of distilled water in his house and used that to top up the vase the fish is in. Tomorrow he's getting a 10 gallon aquarium kit, so the fish should be all moved in a few days  

[Lightning~]

If you have a water filter that you use to filter your water before you drink it from the tap, you can use that if you don't have access to the water conditioner, but only for the moment. I'd recommend leaving the tank to run for about a month in normal cases, but since they need it right away, once you get the tank I'd clean it out, set it up and leave the pump running for maybe a day and then put it in. For now, maybe putting him in a large plastic container with filtered water would be best? It'll be better than that bag i think

hi, im sorry if this sounds rude, but your talking about cycling the tank, right? its a bit more complicated than it seem, like its not just letting the filter run for a week or two, you actally have to test it every day or two to see if its the right, gh, ph, no2, and has no cloine in it. if its not you have to change out 1/3 of the tank, and the check it the next day, and so on, and so on

[ajuniceuhamsters]

hi, im sorry if this sounds rude, but your talking about cycling the tank, right? its a bit more complicated than it seem, like its not just letting the filter run for a week or two, you actally have to test it every day or two to see if its the right, gh, ph, no2, and has no cloine in it. if its not you have to change out 1/3 of the tank, and the check it the next day, and so on, and so on

yup, i know but in this scenario, they don't have any of those yet

[Brownie~s♥️buddy]

That's really good to know, thanks! My friend had a jug of distilled water in his house and used that to top up the vase the fish is in. Tomorrow he's getting a 10 gallon aquarium kit, so the fish should be all moved in a few days

Well done! Just a note, don't use distilled water for too long, as it doesn't have the minerals in the water that fish need to survive Topping up in this case will help to dilute the small vase water, no harm!

 

I'm not sure which pet stores or brands you have available, but if you can get Seachem PRIME, that is the hands down best water conditioner. It's super concentrated, so a little goes a LONG way (it can be a bit pricey up front, but if used correctly, the small bottle will last a year or longer for a 10gal tank!)

 

I would suggest to replace the filter cartridge with sponge media (you can cut down a piece from fish pond pump), as it will be a one time purchase that way

[Morag]

hi, im sorry if this sounds rude, but your talking about cycling the tank, right? its a bit more complicated than it seem, like its not just letting the filter run for a week or two, you actally have to test it every day or two to see if its the right, gh, ph, no2, and has no cloine in it. if its not you have to change out 1/3 of the tank, and the check it the next day, and so on, and so on

 

My friend isn't there just yet. If you have a minute, does this sound like a good, quick how-to guide to follow? I'm super weary of Petsmart as a resource; but the more in-depth stuff we found on FishLore.com, while very thorough and good, is a wee bit overwhelming. We're kinda working backwards here  

Link: https://www.petsmart.ca/learning-center/fish-care/healthy-aquarium-water/A0083.html?fdid=fish

 

Well done! Just a note, don't use distilled water for too long, as it doesn't have the minerals in the water that fish need to survive Topping up in this case will help to dilute the small vase water, no harm!

 

I'm not sure which pet stores or brands you have available, but if you can get Seachem PRIME, that is the hands down best water conditioner. It's super concentrated, so a little goes a LONG way (it can be a bit pricey up front, but if used correctly, the small bottle will last a year or longer for a 10gal tank!)

 

I would suggest to replace the filter cartridge with sponge media (you can cut down a piece from fish pond pump), as it will be a one time purchase that way

 

Ok great! I'll pass that onto my friend, and I found Seachem Prime at Petsmart! Thank you again!