Anyone keep fish?

[Sparks!]

OK they are only goldfish,and I had some plecs too (cat fish type thing)

Well the second plec has just been spotted dead at the bottom of the tank

he was fine yesterday,but today isn't.. do you think it could be the heat? I know it's only a coldwater goldfish tank but could it have gotten too hot for it and caused it to die?

I have had about 4 of these things now and they've all died, so I must be doing something wrong, yet the goldfish I've had for years and are 100% fine..

Is it worth me fitting a thermometer to keep an eye on it? OR should it be cleaned more often/water changes? etc etc?
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[hollamat]

hi

goldfish are very hardy fish!! such fish as plecs and other tropical species need much more stable conditions.

such as temperature
ammonia
nitrates
nitrites
pH
etc

you can buy test kits from lots of aquatic shops to test your water conditions - but really if you want to keep tropical fish you do need a tank with a heater, filter and a light.

cheers

[Sparks!]

the plecs I bought are for coldwater, normal fish tanks.

This is what worries me slightly, as the first 2 I had off them a year or so ago died within a few days.

The latest ones, one died after 4 days after it jumped out the tank and this one has been in there months.

The shop sold them with notices up saying coldwater, fine for normal tanks, the plecs were stored in normal goldfish tanks and I even asked twice as I wasn't sure.

So they should be fine for my coldwater tank I thought.

Not so sure now, might just stick with the goldfish, had them years and they still alive. Survived through most things I've thrown at them
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[kev]

Get a heater in the tank and you should be fine.

Gold fish are actually descended from tropical fish and they do like the heat.

What filter have you got running in the tank?
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[Sparks!]

The filter is ran from the pump, not sure on technical names etc, but it has a foam filter on the bottom, which the pump seems to draw the water up a pipe (attached to the filter foam) then out the top back into water, so all the crap etc is collectde in that.

I never used to have a filter in there and it got dirty really quickly even for 3 goldfish, since putting it in there the water has been really really clean.

It's got a twin filter if neccessary but I've set it up for only one filter foam as it's not a massive tank.

Theres only goldfish in there now and I'm not sure if I'm going to bother with plecs or anything any more. They always die so might stick with goldfish ...
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[kev]

If you want I have got a 3 foot tank at mine with everything you need including hood, light, filter, air pump, heater and fish.

If you want it you can have it for free if you come and get it.

Oh it also comes with about 6 months worth of food.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[Sparks!]

Cheers for the offer Kev, but I can't get it home and I don't have room for something as nice

I have a 3 foot fish tank downstairs but we have no where for it to go

Put it on ebay with collection only mate, you'd get some good cash for that!
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[daveiw]

Hi Yams, (sorry mate, don't know your real name) I work/manage an aquatic centre on the Island, couple of things need clarifying, please don't think I'm preaching or being cocky, just trying to help...

1. What species of "Plec" was/is it, if you know?
2. Although technically nearly all plecs (especially one's from LFS (local fish shop)) are tropical, they don't like it too hot, about 21 degrees is perfect.
3. VERY IMPORTANT - has your water (tank!) been tested recently, if so what were the results.
4. Your filter sponge must NEVER EVER be cleaned in tap water, always-old tank water when you do a small water change.
5. Never change more than 20% of the tanks water per week, and always use a de-chlorinator to remove tap water nastiness that can harm filtration and fish! Ideally change around 10-20% every couple or 3 weeks.
6. How long has the tank been running?
7. The filter should/must be left running 24-7, and never over feed!
8. A lot of plecs don't travel well, and quite a few have even stopped being imported, hence when you buy one you may well get an unexplained death after 3 months!
9. If you have a coldwater set-up, i.e. no heater or heater on low, I would recommended getting a "Hillstream loach" Often sold as a coldwater butterfly Plec!

If this doesn't answer anything, feel free to contact me, or pm me, and I'll give you the shop number, you can call me anytime at work most days for advice!

[Sparks!]

[daveiw]

Hi yams, sounds like you've done nothing majorly drastic, although 100% water changes aren't good and as long as the filter is not so clogged water can't get through it, that is how they work best anyway! Butterfly plecs are fine in a un-heated tank (in fact they prefer it!) So I would say if you buy a heater, set it to around 18 degrees. If it's an air-pump based filter, keep an eye out for the new fluval plus filters, silent and damn good! Butterfly plecs or hillstream loaches also are no good in a tank with no water movement as they are naturally found in streams clung onto rocks, hence why they are so flat and a sod to get to let go of the glass when trying to catch one! Weather loaches are cool and great for scavenging round the bottom for un-eaten food, better in a pond when they get big though! Good luck mate

[Sparks!]

Well, the tank now is fine as it's just got the goldfish in and they survive most conditions lol.

First thing is I want to get a new light for it as you can't see into the damn thing, then a cheap thermometer and maybe a heater, don't know if the goldfish will like that really. Then a silent pump of some sort.

I have an air brick thing at the back of the tank, I guess that's why pleccy used to sit on the rear of the glass, just above the air stream!!

Hmm I forgot to turn my pump on this morning , so no air, then I find him dead.. hmmmmmmmm

Going to leave the tank as is for a bit, get the light and stuff done, test the water etc, then maybe get some more butterflies or some loaches etc.

Thanks for the help though mate
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[Mrs_Hippy]

I keep loaches and plecs but I have to say I have never kept goldfish in a tank.

My advice is that if you keep buying a certain type of fish and putting it in an existing successful set up and they die every time then they the set up is not for them. It is best if you have a successful set up not to fiddle with it to try and accommodate the fish you are having problems with.

I keep all kinds of loaches successfully but no matter how many times I introduced Horsed Faced Loaches to my medium set up they wipe out after time in a mass death.

Plecs are best at 20 to 24 degrees and goldfish at 0 to 22 so the tempratures do cross (depending on breeds).

Meanwhile back a the ranch whilst I was typing this / getting a coke / stroking the cat it would appear that someone who works with fish has posted but I am not deleating this now - it took me ages - I cant work out why - might be the wine.
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[daveiw]

not a problem, I'm sure it won't be long when I'm asking for bikey answers (If the bloody 22nd June EVER turns up!!!!!!! )

[daveiw]

Enjoy your wine Mrs H

[Sparks!]

I would have a set up just for plecs/loaches, just they don't really do much, do they? lol
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[daveiw]

I agree, they make a fantastic set-up, but you're right boring!, trouble is most are nocturnal, and only active in low or no light! Looks good in a dark room with the "blue moon" or night light though

[Jack2004]

I've got a tropical fish tank, with about 9 or 10 fish. I used to keep gold fish but those things are so messy.

I've got a Albino Plec which has red eyes i think it's evil

[Sparks!]

I wanted some little turtles in a vivarium.. but if I can't look after some goldfish what hope have I got for turtles, lol
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[Jack2004]

I had some little red crabs as well once, but they escaped, even though my tank has a cover on, found them half way across my room dead.

[Mrs_Hippy]

Oh not at all - my set up is permanently active the thing is you need to keep loaches in good sized groups so they interact. I have 8 clown loaches who spend all their time out in front of the tank on 'loach rock' or draped upsidown over the bog wood ('no they are not dead they are just loaches') or dashing around doing the 'loachy dance' There are also several very active chain and zebra loaches and some fiesty trouble making orange finned loaches among others - no inter species arguments but plenty of activity.

Have a plant light light (lower then normal but not dark).

Even though I have provided enough bogwood positioned in a way so that there are bolt holes a plenty they prefer to be out in the open a good amount of the time (all the time in the case of the clowns).

I can say, however say that people I know who keep one or two loaches never see them and clown loaches literally pine away.

Yup - red wine certainly losens the tounge and makes everything so much funnyer - I just spent a good amount of time playing with one of the oscars and a pink feather and it was hillarious.

[Mrs_Hippy]

I have albino pleck about 10' long in with the loaches - had him since he was a little baby

[Sparks!]

MrsH, any chance of a few photos of the tank and the loaches etc at all?

I might do something similar to that at some point.

My dad has loads of fish tanks, ponds (lake) etc... he has a 6 foot tall tank in his house, when he was living in his old house, he had some little red clawed crabs in there, but they kept climbing up the centre plants and escaping!

One time, he had him and his wife, and her mum and dad there all sat on the floor watching a film, when all of a sudden his wife spotted a big crab crawling towards her LOL
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[Mrs_Hippy]

You are welcome to visit and see the set up - mean while I will see if I can get some pictures .

[Sparks!]

I might do that nearer the time that I'm thinking of doing it, thanks

It prob won't be for a while though as have more important things to sort out than my fish tank

Been tempted soo many times just to take the fish to work and stick them in the pond, and ditch the tank but I like them too much to do that!
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Mrs_Hippy]

sorry - a bit over enthusiastic there - I love my fish (in the not yucky sense of course!) - love anything small and fluffy as well , which may go some way towards explaining the hippy -