5 gallon fish tank

[Anonymous]

We ended up with two guppies and two tetra's. They have been in the tank about 18 hours now and so far so good, although this morning one of the tetra's looked weird to me. He was hanging around at the bottom of the tank vertically. I'm at work now and havent gotten a call from my husband so I'm assuming that guy is still alive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ended up with two guppies and two tetra's. They have been in the tank about 18 hours now and so far so good, although this morning one of the tetra's looked weird to me. He was hanging around at the bottom of the tank vertically. I'm at work now and havent gotten a call from my husband so I'm assuming that guy is still alive.

The tetra is sick and will die soon. Sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

He is still alive and kicking and doesent seem to be doing the horizontal thing anymore. The fish have been in the tank for 2 1/2 days, is it safe to assume they have all survived the transition? My son is leaving today to go out of town until Thursday. I'd hate for him to come back to one less fish.

This is probably a dumb question, but when we fed the fish this morning I didnt see the tetras eat anything. The guppies both were at the top of the tank and they seemed to go right up to the flakes but not eat them. The flakes are kinda big, could they be too big for them? Do they sell small flakes for very small fish? Or do you think they were just nibbling little pieces off the flakes. I hope the tetras eat next time!

[Anonymous]

The flakes are not too big; they'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is still alive and kicking and doesent seem to be doing the horizontal thing anymore. The fish have been in the tank for 2 1/2 days, is it safe to assume they have all survived the transition? My son is leaving today to go out of town until Thursday. I'd hate for him to come back to one less fish.

This is probably a dumb question, but when we fed the fish this morning I didnt see the tetras eat anything. The guppies both were at the top of the tank and they seemed to go right up to the flakes but not eat them. The flakes are kinda big, could they be too big for them? Do they sell small flakes for very small fish? Or do you think they were just nibbling little pieces off the flakes. I hope the tetras eat next time!

If one dies before DS comes back, get another one. He'll never be able to tell. By the way, tetras are schooling fish so they will be happier with more in the tank.

[Anonymous]

yeah, I just discovered that. I googled when the tetra was acting weird. I really wish they would have told me this at the pet store. I read they are most happy in groups of 5. If I had 5 tetras and 2 guppies would that be too much for the 5 gallon tank? If so, how many more tetras could I get?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah, I just discovered that. I googled when the tetra was acting weird. I really wish they would have told me this at the pet store. I read they are most happy in groups of 5. If I had 5 tetras and 2 guppies would that be too much for the 5 gallon tank? If so, how many more tetras could I get?

That's not the reason your tetra is acting weird. It might very well be sick or stressed by the new environment. In the future, I recommend you keep at least five tetras to allow them to school. However, I would wait and see how your current two fare before adding any more. I have found guppies to be hardier. Do you have a heater for the tank? Have you done any water testing? Recommend you contact a store that sells only fish and talk to the owner/ manager for advice. Only buy fish from a fish store.

[Anonymous]

I did test the water before adding the fish and it was fine. I do not have a heater. I bought the fish from PetSmart. Is that place generally considered not good for buying fish?

[Anonymous]

And if you have any recommendations for stores that sell fish I'd appreciate it. I'm in SE, DC but dont mind travelling 20 to 30 minutes away if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did test the water before adding the fish and it was fine. I do not have a heater. I bought the fish from PetSmart. Is that place generally considered not good for buying fish?

Yes, unfortunately. You want to buy from a fish store or hobbyist. I always check all the tanks and see if any of the fish look diseased, are acting funny, or are dead. Don't blame yourself. Part of having fish is dealing with fish death and learning from early mistakes. I had fish when I was young (guppies) and my mother got to view a live birth!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if you have any recommendations for stores that sell fish I'd appreciate it. I'm in SE, DC but dont mind travelling 20 to 30 minutes away if necessary.

I would but I live out of your area.

[Anonymous]

Is the tank in a high traffic area in your house? If so, maybe put up something to block the view to screen it just for a couple days until the tetra gets better. As PP noted, it might be stressed out.

[Anonymous]

Not at all, it's in my sons bedroom. We actually put it there hoping it will give him more reason to be in his room. He's been sitting at his desk watching the fish and because it's so new the rest of us have been popping in there from time to time to check them out. But generally, we are all gone all day at school and work and my son will sit at his desk for a bit in the evenings.

This morning when they were fed both tetras ate some food. The bigger one was a bit more adventerous, actually going to the top of the tank to get some food while the smaller one tended to hang around mid to bottom level. But they both ate.

[Anonymous]

Do you have some fake plants? I think many fish like to have a place to hide. We get our fish at Congressional Aquarium, but it's out on Rockville Pike: http://www.congressionalaquarium.com/

[Anonymous]

We have 3 fake plants, one fake turtle and a rock with a whole in it. They have lots of hiding spaces.

My son was DETERMINED that one of those fish must go inside the whole in the rock. When he saw one do it he was beyond excited!