What should I do about my overstocked tank?

[Andrew]

I have had my 70litre (I believe this is about 18 gallons?) tank for just
over a year, with 3 goldfish in it. I had the fish previous to this for a
couple of years in a small tank which they had clearly outgrown.

At the time, they were quite small and it was fine, but as they have grown,
I am getting more water quality issues, and the fish seem to be suffering
now (see my previous post re "Bump on fishes head"). Also the plants in the
tank seem to be dying.

It's not really an option for me to invest in a larger tank, so I am now
faced with a difficult decision of what to do. I guess these are my options-

- Remove 1 fish from the tank and try and advertise for a good home for him.

- Remove all 3 fish, find good homes for them and start again with fish that
can manage in this size of tank (tropicals perhaps)

- Continue battling against the water quality issues and keep all 3 fish,
but they may not be happy with this. Due to my personal circumstances it is
difficult for me to be able to do water changes any more regularly that once
a week maximum.

I've grown attached to these fish over the last 3 years or so it would be a
great wrench to give up on any of them, but I guess I have to put their
health before my personal enjoyment of them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, to help me with this difficult
decision.

Thanks

Andrew

[Tom Randy]

On Sun, 06 Feb 2005 12:38:32 +0000, Andrew wrote:

> I have had my 70litre (I believe this is about 18 gallons?) tank for just
> over a year, with 3 goldfish in it. I had the fish previous to this for a
> couple of years in a small tank which they had clearly outgrown.
>
> At the time, they were quite small and it was fine, but as they have grown,
> I am getting more water quality issues, and the fish seem to be suffering
> now (see my previous post re "Bump on fishes head"). Also the plants in the
> tank seem to be dying.
>
> It's not really an option for me to invest in a larger tank, so I am now
> faced with a difficult decision of what to do. I guess these are my options-
>
> - Remove 1 fish from the tank and try and advertise for a good home for him.
>
> - Remove all 3 fish, find good homes for them and start again with fish that
> can manage in this size of tank (tropicals perhaps)
>
> - Continue battling against the water quality issues and keep all 3 fish,
> but they may not be happy with this. Due to my personal circumstances it is
> difficult for me to be able to do water changes any more regularly that once
> a week maximum.
>
> I've grown attached to these fish over the last 3 years or so it would be a
> great wrench to give up on any of them, but I guess I have to put their
> health before my personal enjoyment of them.
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated, to help me with this difficult
> decision.
>
> Thanks
>
> Andrew


At the most keep 2, try to give away the 3rd.

Actually, keep one and try to give away 2. No need to get rid of all 3.

You learned something here and that's a GOOD thing. Each fish should have
10 gallons of water.

[Katra]

In article >,
Tom Randy > wrote:

> On Sun, 06 Feb 2005 12:38:32 +0000, Andrew wrote:
>
> > I have had my 70litre (I believe this is about 18 gallons?) tank for just
> > over a year, with 3 goldfish in it. I had the fish previous to this for a
> > couple of years in a small tank which they had clearly outgrown.
> >
> > At the time, they were quite small and it was fine, but as they have grown,
> > I am getting more water quality issues, and the fish seem to be suffering
> > now (see my previous post re "Bump on fishes head"). Also the plants in the
> > tank seem to be dying.
> >
> > It's not really an option for me to invest in a larger tank, so I am now
> > faced with a difficult decision of what to do. I guess these are my options-
> >
> > - Remove 1 fish from the tank and try and advertise for a good home for him.
> >
> > - Remove all 3 fish, find good homes for them and start again with fish that
> > can manage in this size of tank (tropicals perhaps)
> >
> > - Continue battling against the water quality issues and keep all 3 fish,
> > but they may not be happy with this. Due to my personal circumstances it is
> > difficult for me to be able to do water changes any more regularly that once
> > a week maximum.
> >
> > I've grown attached to these fish over the last 3 years or so it would be a
> > great wrench to give up on any of them, but I guess I have to put their
> > health before my personal enjoyment of them.
> >
> > Any advice would be greatly appreciated, to help me with this difficult
> > decision.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Andrew
>
>
> At the most keep 2, try to give away the 3rd.
>
> Actually, keep one and try to give away 2. No need to get rid of all 3.
>
> You learned something here and that's a GOOD thing. Each fish should have
> 10 gallons of water.
>
>

He could also just invest in a separate 10 gallon tank...
A 10 gallon is not usually much of an investment. He can use water and
substrate from the established tank to speed cycling of the new tank. :-)

--
K.

Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

As we go through life thinking heavy thoughts, thought particles
tend to get caught between the ears causing truth decay- so be sure
to use mental floss twice a day.

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katraatcenturyteldotnet>,,<

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra

[Andrew]

> >
> >
> > At the most keep 2, try to give away the 3rd.
> >
> > Actually, keep one and try to give away 2. No need to get rid of all 3.
> >
> > You learned something here and that's a GOOD thing. Each fish should
have
> > 10 gallons of water.
> >
> >
>
> He could also just invest in a separate 10 gallon tank...
> A 10 gallon is not usually much of an investment. He can use water and
> substrate from the established tank to speed cycling of the new tank. :-)
>
> --


Thanks for the advice so far. I'm really reluctant to get rid of 2 fish, I
don't like the thought of just having 1 alone in the tank, if I did do this,
would there be anything at all I could also have in there (snail maybe?).

It's also not really an option for me to have a 2nd tank at the moment.

Thanks

Andrew

[sophie]

In message >, Andrew
> writes
>> >
>> >
>> > At the most keep 2, try to give away the 3rd.
>> >
>> > Actually, keep one and try to give away 2. No need to get rid of all 3.
>> >
>> > You learned something here and that's a GOOD thing. Each fish should
>have
>> > 10 gallons of water.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> He could also just invest in a separate 10 gallon tank...
>> A 10 gallon is not usually much of an investment. He can use water and
>> substrate from the established tank to speed cycling of the new tank. :-)
>>
>> --
>
>
>Thanks for the advice so far. I'm really reluctant to get rid of 2 fish, I
>don't like the thought of just having 1 alone in the tank, if I did do this,
>would there be anything at all I could also have in there (snail maybe?).

White Cloud Mountain minnows. They're sweet, and by the time your goldie
gets big enough to eat them they will have died peacefully of old age.
you could get a couple of weather loaches which I love, but you'd be
pushing your stocking levels once they all grow. I agree with you on not
wanting one goldfish, they're fairly social fish. If you want a tank
full of fish, you might be better off finding homes for your goldfish,
investing in a heater and getting some tropicals. Your call, really!

--
sophie

[Katra]

In article >,
"Andrew" > wrote:

> > >
> > >
> > > At the most keep 2, try to give away the 3rd.
> > >
> > > Actually, keep one and try to give away 2. No need to get rid of all 3.
> > >
> > > You learned something here and that's a GOOD thing. Each fish should
> have
> > > 10 gallons of water.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > He could also just invest in a separate 10 gallon tank...
> > A 10 gallon is not usually much of an investment. He can use water and
> > substrate from the established tank to speed cycling of the new tank. :-)
> >
> > --
>
>
> Thanks for the advice so far. I'm really reluctant to get rid of 2 fish, I
> don't like the thought of just having 1 alone in the tank, if I did do this,
> would there be anything at all I could also have in there (snail maybe?).
>
> It's also not really an option for me to have a 2nd tank at the moment.
>
> Thanks
>
> Andrew
>
>

Is it space that is an issue or finances?
If it's money, look around for a used setup. They are often available
for a real discount! 20 gallon of course would be better so you could
put 2 together.

I know how easy it is to get attached to a fish!

--
K.

Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

As we go through life thinking heavy thoughts, thought particles
tend to get caught between the ears causing truth decay- so be sure
to use mental floss twice a day.

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katraatcenturyteldotnet>,,<

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra

[Andrew]

> >
>
> Is it space that is an issue or finances?
> If it's money, look around for a used setup. They are often available
> for a real discount! 20 gallon of course would be better so you could
> put 2 together.
>
> I know how easy it is to get attached to a fish!
>
> --

Without going in to too much detail, it's a question of space, and also of
respect to the rest of my family, who don't share my fishkeeping enjoyment.
I'm not selfish enough to impose even more "equipment" on to them. I did a
deal to get the 70 litre tank and I'm not going to start asking for more
now.

[Katra]

In article >,
"Andrew" > wrote:

> > >
> >
> > Is it space that is an issue or finances?
> > If it's money, look around for a used setup. They are often available
> > for a real discount! 20 gallon of course would be better so you could
> > put 2 together.
> >
> > I know how easy it is to get attached to a fish!
> >
> > --
>
> Without going in to too much detail, it's a question of space, and also of
> respect to the rest of my family, who don't share my fishkeeping enjoyment.
> I'm not selfish enough to impose even more "equipment" on to them. I did a
> deal to get the 70 litre tank and I'm not going to start asking for more
> now.
>
>

I'm surprised... Most people, that I personally know at least, love
aquariums! They are so peaceful. :-) Can't even put one in your bedroom
eh? <sigh> Well, I'm out of suggestions then, unless you wish to build
an outdoor pond?

--
K.

Sprout the Mung Bean to reply...

As we go through life thinking heavy thoughts, thought particles
tend to get caught between the ears causing truth decay- so be sure
to use mental floss twice a day.

>,,<Cat's Haven Hobby Farm>,,<Katraatcenturyteldotnet>,,<

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&include=0&userid=katra

[Andrew]

Unfortunately events seem to have been taking a little out of my hands.

I have been reading up on the problems with one of my fish (see previous
post "Bump on fishes head") and the symptoms look remarkably like
tuberculosis, from the photo's of other fish I have seen with the disease.

I fear this may mean I have to lose the fish, as I really can't be giving
potentially diseased fish to other people.

The other problem this could cause, is that my 6 year old dughter often
helps me do water changes, and she has not yet had a TB jab. I am now
worried that she could potentially have caught the disease. I know it may
sound a little far fetched, but is it possible for humans to catch TB from
goldfish (several websites seem to suggest so).

Thanks

Andrew

[sophie]

In message >, Andrew
> writes
>Unfortunately events seem to have been taking a little out of my hands.
>
> I have been reading up on the problems with one of my fish (see previous
>post "Bump on fishes head") and the symptoms look remarkably like
>tuberculosis, from the photo's of other fish I have seen with the disease.
>
>I fear this may mean I have to lose the fish, as I really can't be giving
>potentially diseased fish to other people.
>
>The other problem this could cause, is that my 6 year old dughter often
>helps me do water changes, and she has not yet had a TB jab. I am now
>worried that she could potentially have caught the disease. I know it may
>sound a little far fetched, but is it possible for humans to catch TB from
>goldfish (several websites seem to suggest so).

fish TB shares a name with human TB but aside from this is a different
disease; the human TB jab is not going to protect you from fish TB.
>
>Thanks
>
>Andrew
>
>

--
sophie