hi i am new and would love some advice

[dicarey84]

hi, we aquired 2 goldfish in a small plastic tank from my little boys friend (she was going to flush them so i rescued them) they had no pump/filter or anything and i got fed up of cleaning them so we took a trip to our local pet store today and bought a 60litre tank with filter and the works, we also bought 2 loaches and 2 butterfly plecos, i know the basics, i know how to clean filter, do water change, treat water etc, they have plants and hides, but i am looking for any further advice on feeding, and also we are hoping to add a few more little fish in the future, is there anything we should avoid?
Also are ramshorn snails ok to be added to the aquarium? we have 10 at the mo in a tank on their own.

Ps- we are sticking to cold water fish at the moment

 

[Columbian Shark Catfish]

Welcome to MFK


What type of loaches did you get?
And the loaches will eat frozen/freeze dried bloodworms, plecos will eat Hikiari (not only but recommended) algae wafers, and the goldfish will eat any Hikari goldfish food.

 

[StipesAndFins]

you should avoid keeping in that small of a tank. the basic rule of thumb for gold fish is 15-20 gallons for the first one, and 10 for each other added. and most loaches and plecos are tropical, i dont know what type you have, but they may not be cold water

i have heard that gold fish eat snails,dont know if its true or not, but watch out. And goldfish are pooping machines. make sure you have an extra filter for the tank.

Oh yeah: WELCOME TO MFK!

 

[justonemoretank]

Hi and welcome to MFK! I wouldn't add anything else into this tank, because 15 gallons is very small for the fish you have already. The goldfish will grow quite large, and will need a larger tank in the future. As for feeding, they love peas for a snack (cooked ones -- just squash them out of the shell and give a little to each). This will also help prevent constipation. Also, I'm worried you're going to encounter problems with the nitrogen cycle, unless you're using cycled media from another tank. It sounds like you bought everything new. This means that your fish could die from the initial ammonia spike since the tank isn't cycled. You'll need to research this and do what you can to offset the effects of an uncycled tank -- water changes, etc.

 

[dicarey84]

they are definately cold water fish.

 

[Columbian Shark Catfish]

Do the loaches look like one of these?

 

[Neervana]

hi, and welcome yeah i'd agree with the others...don't add in anymore fish cos goldies get big...and need more filtration/space etc. anyway looks like you're on your way to becoming an addict. so on that note, congrats

 

[Knowdafish]

Welcome to MFK!

You are smart to ask for help!!

 

[dicarey84]

hiya, after an hour of trying to upload a pic of the loaches i gave up and put it on my avatar- not a good pic unfortunately best i could do.

i fed them some catfish pellets as recommended by the pet shop but they havent touched them, still sat on the gravel.

Another question- i have 4 freshwater peas mussels and some black ramshorn snails in a seperate tank, could i add a few to the aquarium or is it best not to?

Going to buy some drift wood today and some algae wafers,

I am an addict, me and my hubby sat up til gone midnight just watching them

 

[Sodaboy78]

Once you start it just keeps adding up at least for me it did.
I say the same thing as all the others stick to what you have for now and watch em grow.