Hi,
I hope this is the right board to post this on - I'm also posting it on the diseases because I could choose!
Heres my problem:
I bought 2 small simple goldfish about 8 months ago, I was assured by the shop keeper that the 3 gallon tank I bought was fine for them as they were very small and "couldn't outgrow their tank". However, they are now over 3 inches long with large tails and fins and, using an online tank size calculator, I discovered that the tank is now much too small.
To make matters worse one of them (Milly) has what I think is fin rot in her, previously long, tail (with red streaks and a short, ripped appearance). I have bought anti-bacterial medicine but in the last couple of days I have also noticed, to my horror, that Lilly (the second fish, who I think might actually be male) was nibbling at Milly's ripped tail. Does anyone know why this is, whether it's normal or what I should do about it? Could this nibbling be what caused the ripped tail or is it because of it or just a coincidence?
So I need to know whether I should buy one larger tank for them both or, if Lilly is bullying Milly, buy another small tank and keep them separate.
Or should I buy a large tank for Lilly and keep Milly in quarantine in the old tank until she is better and can rejoin Lilly - or would that just cause more relationship problems?
Sorry if the situation is confusing! I'd be very grateful for any help any of you can give me!
Thank you so much
Jenny
Full Version: Too Small Tank
hi jenel and 
i would go ahead and get the bigger tank, transfer as much of the gravel/ornaments/filter media/ etc. to the new tank. this will (in theory) cause your new tank to be instantly cycled. do you understand tank cycling? anyway, i would then put the two goldies into the new tank and treat it all. but, i wouldnt bother with any antibiotics (or any other meds) right now. the addition of aquarium salt at 2 1/2 teaspoons per u.s. gallon should stave off any further infection of bacteria (tailrot). also, once youve set-up the new tank, concentrate on keeping the water as clean as humanly possible. if this means that you have to do water changes 25% to 50% two times a week, so be it. the cleaner, the better!
the additions of salt and very clean water (and of course, being in the proper sized tank w/ proper filtration but, more on that later) will help your goldie to heal itself. medications are not needed when you are dealing with a minor case such as this. if the affliction doesnt start to get better within three days, thats when you should start thinking about a good antibiotic/antibacterial.
couple of rules of thumb:
water changes should be done with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.
when adding salt to the aquarium, do it in smaller increments. and add the recommended amount per gallon to each water change. salt does not evaporate out of the aquarium so, the only way to remove it is to do a water change without adding more salt.
when you go to get the bigger tank, you may have to get an extra filter as well, goldies need for their water to be filtered at a rate of 10 times per hour. so, if you where to get, say, a 20 gallon (long type is best), you would need a total of 200 gallons per hour to pass through your filter. this is a very important part of goldfish keeping. it is highly advisable to try and stick to this rule of thumb. as well as the ten gallons per goldie rule of thumb!
anyway, what is the name and size of your filter (look hard)? that way we can figure out what size extra filter you (should) may get.
post back soon!
i would go ahead and get the bigger tank, transfer as much of the gravel/ornaments/filter media/ etc. to the new tank. this will (in theory) cause your new tank to be instantly cycled. do you understand tank cycling? anyway, i would then put the two goldies into the new tank and treat it all. but, i wouldnt bother with any antibiotics (or any other meds) right now. the addition of aquarium salt at 2 1/2 teaspoons per u.s. gallon should stave off any further infection of bacteria (tailrot). also, once youve set-up the new tank, concentrate on keeping the water as clean as humanly possible. if this means that you have to do water changes 25% to 50% two times a week, so be it. the cleaner, the better!
the additions of salt and very clean water (and of course, being in the proper sized tank w/ proper filtration but, more on that later) will help your goldie to heal itself. medications are not needed when you are dealing with a minor case such as this. if the affliction doesnt start to get better within three days, thats when you should start thinking about a good antibiotic/antibacterial.
couple of rules of thumb:
water changes should be done with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.
when adding salt to the aquarium, do it in smaller increments. and add the recommended amount per gallon to each water change. salt does not evaporate out of the aquarium so, the only way to remove it is to do a water change without adding more salt.
when you go to get the bigger tank, you may have to get an extra filter as well, goldies need for their water to be filtered at a rate of 10 times per hour. so, if you where to get, say, a 20 gallon (long type is best), you would need a total of 200 gallons per hour to pass through your filter. this is a very important part of goldfish keeping. it is highly advisable to try and stick to this rule of thumb. as well as the ten gallons per goldie rule of thumb!
anyway, what is the name and size of your filter (look hard)? that way we can figure out what size extra filter you (should) may get.
post back soon!
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