Marie wrote:

My recent attempt to maintain 1 little goldfish has been frought with
disaster despite a fair amount of reading and help from reputable
petshops. I purchased a single gallon tank with gravel filter and
airstone. Despite what I'd read about a larger (10 gal) per fish tank,
the pet stores assured me this was not a problem as long as I
maintained it.

Um, you've got all of us out here in usenet land, with absolutely no axe
to grind, no money to make, and a fair amount of experience saying 10+
gallons per fish...

You are going to believe whomever you WANT to believe I suppose.

-but-

I urge you to look at the "experiment" you're performing. In YOUR
experience is the goldfish happy/healthy in a 1 gallon tank?


I fear I am torturing this small fish.

Sounds like you already know the real answer.

Would a tetra have been better?

Would appreciate constructive advice.

If you need a one gallon fish, take the goldfish back, and ask the store
about "bettas" also known as "Siamese Fighting Fish" They're very
pretty and will live quite nicely in an uncycled 1 gallon aquarium.

My $0.02US

-Donald
--
"There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so
gentle as real strength." St. Francis de Sales