Some Advise Please

[Plattypus5420]

I know that I am very unexperienced with fish keeping, but I am really trying. My whole experience with my green spotted puffers have been very difficult-I just can't keep them alive no matter how hard I try, I probably should have taken them back when I realized that they needed a lot to thrive, but I gave it my all because I knew that going back to Walmart was a death sentence. I have not given up on my two GSP that are still alive, but neither look very healthy and they will not eat anything. their teeth are fine they are not overgrown, I'm just at a loss of what to do. I have read the puffer forum, and tried what is written, but I honestly think that these puffers were sick from the start.

If the puffers pass on I would like to know what to do with the tank...do I need to cycle it again before introducing another fish? I really would like to have fish, but I would like something that is a little easier to keep, and definately freshwater. I am a stay at home mom of two (a two year old and an 11 month old) plus I watch 4 other two year olds 5 days a week...I would really like some bright colored-perferably a variety of easy to care for fish. I would really like to stay away from livebearers, i have too many platy already.

 

[japes]

If you're using a 55 gallon I would give a couple of the smaller American Cichlids a try, Convicts for example are an extremely hardy fish and a few (3) of them will fit very nicely into a 55 gallon tank. They don't fit the brightly coloured requirement though, but there are some Americans that do, it all depends on your taste.

You will need to cycle again as I would want to empty and completely clean your current tank to get rid of any possible nasties.

 

[Mystix212]

9 times out of 10, its never your fault when walmart fish die. Stick to buying fish from a privately owned store as these will generally carry the best staff and fish.

If you want hardy fish other then livebearers (I like your thinking), you could give killie fish a go. They grow the same size as a molly, but are fantasticly coloured.

What size is your tank and what equipment are you using?

 

[Plattypus5420]

9 times out of 10, its never your fault when walmart fish die. Stick to buying fish from a privately owned store as these will generally carry the best staff and fish.

If you want hardy fish other then livebearers (I like your thinking), you could give killie fish a go. They grow the same size as a molly, but are fantasticly coloured.

What size is your tank and what equipment are you using?

It's a 55 Gallon, hoods w/florescent lights, two filters (aqua tech 30-60 gallon), heater, sand substrate, couple of fake plants...
I definately want to go with a more natural look, i'm not crazy about the 3 big decorations in the tank now..
I really wanted green spotted puffers....at first..... because they were so cute, but no where else in my area sells them because when they died they were killing the other fish because they are all on the same system? i dunno, so i bought them at walmart. Won't make that mistake again.

 

[scubasteve06]

I know that I am very unexperienced with fish keeping, but I am really trying. My whole experience with my green spotted puffers have been very difficult-I just can't keep them alive no matter how hard I try, I probably should have taken them back when I realized that they needed a lot to thrive, but I gave it my all because I knew that going back to Walmart was a death sentence. I have not given up on my two GSP that are still alive, but neither look very healthy and they will not eat anything. their teeth are fine they are not overgrown, I'm just at a loss of what to do. I have read the puffer forum, and tried what is written, but I honestly think that these puffers were sick from the start.

If the puffers pass on I would like to know what to do with the tank...do I need to cycle it again before introducing another fish? I really would like to have fish, but I would like something that is a little easier to keep, and definately freshwater. I am a stay at home mom of two (a two year old and an 11 month old) plus I watch 4 other two year olds 5 days a week...I would really like some bright colored-perferably a variety of easy to care for fish. I would really like to stay away from livebearers, i have too many platy already.

I live in Greensboro...I would definately reccomend you going to aquamains fish supply on West Market St. in Greensboro they have a huge facility and they are the most knowledgeable people I have found in the tobacco road area. PM if you'd like any other info on lfs stores in our area. Gl with whatever you go with and I hope those other GSP's make it.