From: pprior@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Paul A Prior)
Subject: Re: My first tank and its fish...
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 16:06:40 GMT

In article <1992Apr15.074615.9852@cs.yale.edu> han-esther@CS.YALE.EDU (Esther Han) writes:
>Hi!  I'm new to this newsgroup and a new aquarist...  I have been paying close
>attention to many of the articles, especailly the one entitled "Help!  Goldfish
>in bowl."  I bought one of those executive hex tanks with all accessories from
>Caldor (I know, my first mistake) and bought a small catfish, and black moor
>goldfish with bulging eyes, and a calico goldfish...  I change half the water
>about once a week and use Start Right for the new water.  I use Tetrafin Flake
>food for Golfish...

Welcome!  You didn't say what size this tank was.  I'll assume it's about
5 gallons or so.


>About one week after I bought them, my catfish got sick for several days and
>died.  He often breathed on his side and didn't move unless other fish nudged
>him.  Were they showing concern or being aggressive?  He did not have any of
>the symptoms of the diseases commonly chronicled in books--ich, velvet, etc...
>Does anyone have any ideas on why he died?

This is probably due to "new tank syndrome" which is basically the effects
of toxic ammonia on the fish.  Fish excrete ammonia from their gills and
from waste products and the ammonia is toxic to the fish.  After time, 
bacteria will grow in the tank (filter) that will "eat" the ammonia and
turn it into nitrite (which is also toxic, but less so).  Other types
of bacteria will develop which will eat the nitrite and turn it into
nitrate, which is far less toxic.

However, untill all of these bacteria grow to significant levels in the 
tank (which can take 6 weeks), the ammonia level is often quite high.
thus it is important to keep only a minimal ammount of fish in the tank.
And also to make frequent water changes if the ammonia level gets too
high (you should have an ammonia/nitrite test kit).


>
>Also, I was wondering what the correct way to change the water was...  I've
>been removing half the water with a cup and placing the fish in a bowl while I
>add new water and the Start Right.  Is this correct?  Can the fish remain in
>the tank while I change the water?

Yes, the fish -should- remain in the tank.  Moving fish stresses them and
can damage the delicate slime layer that protects them.  Just make sure
that the water you add is the same temperature and has been treated with
your water treatment (I recommend stress coat) before it is added back
into the tank.

>
>I've heard that no small aquarium should be without an algae eater of some
>type.  Do you think it would be alright to get another catfish to replace the
>dead one?  My fish are small (less than an inch so far)...  I'm planning to get
>a bigger tank when my current fish get too big.

I would not recommend putting any more fish into the tank for a couple of 
months (as explained above).  The catfish/goldfish problem is one I won't 
discuss right now, but suffice it to say that you don't -need- one.

>My fish are also very physical.  They brush up and swim very close to one
>another often.  Is this dangerous?  Are they fighting?  It doesn't seem too
>malicious...

Fish are social animals, that is part of what makes them so interesting
to care for.  Observe your fish and you will learn their "personalities"
and you'll learn to differentiate agression which is dangerous from
normal fish behavior.  I would doubt that you have any problems, but make
sure one fish isn't constantly being beaten into a corner...

>Thanks for your time.  I would appreciate responses either by e-mail or the
>newsgroup.  Sorry for all the questions, but I care deeply about my fish and
>want them to live long, happy lives.  None of these questions were answered by
>the several books I read on the matter...
>
I wish you luck!  You've certainly got the right attitude.

What books have you read?

-- 
--------pprior@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu----(614) 297-8474----------------
Paul A. Prior    Ban anchors, not reef tanks   "With friends like this,   
2nd year medical student		          who needs anemones?"
The Ohio State U. College of Medicine   Tobacco Kills- Please don't smoke!