Yes, you'll see from this https://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... -size-life-expectancy.htm and the more updated http://injaf.org/aquarium-fish/the-go ... t-size-tank-for-goldfish/ what size of a tank is really required for that number of fish.

Sorry to read about this but, thankfully, at least you've discovered the error now. I did a google search for that particular product and see that someone else on another forum has encountered the same problem; I'll PM you the link to that thread so that you can read it and the advice for yourself.

In essence, the advice is that:
* if there are any soaps/perfumes in it, it would affect the tank and filter as it could leach into the tank items (media, decor, substrate) which would be hard to get rid of without and maybe not even with at least incessant rinsing;
* you could test this out by seeing if bubbles form which don't go away immediately.

You could maybe also contact the manufacturer for a list of ingredients. However, I'd definitely change the water and start incessant rinsing of everything in the tank, then start again with ammonia such as Jeyes' Kleen-Off.

Better that than inadvertently inflict any toxic harm on your betta when he eventually moves into his new home.

Best of luck.

Sorry - meant to reply to this the other day. In addition to that, other options I've tried for weighing down plants include:
* multiple terracotta rings round their base to secure them;
* planted into mini terracotta pots filled with sand (+/- a root tab);
* secured to decor with cable tie;
* attempting to weigh them down with a pebble;
* JBL Plantis pegs (probably best if you have soil to secure them into as opposed to sand or gravel).

Hopefully your own suggestions or one of these will help.

I have no personal experience with these balls but, having read the pack about them online, don't think they'd do any harm to place one in the bowl and it might well help - but you will definitely need to keep up the same level of water changes and don't use this as a substitute.

Seachem Prime as your dechlorinator might also help too, if you're not already using it - while it doesn't reduce the ammonia or nitrite, it does detoxify it for the next 48 hours.

Good luck with the fishless cycling in the 5-gallon tank.

Good plan.

Provided that you're following the fishless cycling method here https://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... hless-cycling-article.htm (as opposed to some other version such as bacteria in a bottle which can be very 'hit and miss'), then you could stock them all straight away as there will be sufficient beneficial bacteria to process all of the waste/ammonia produced. In fact, this has two advantages: (i) if you only stocked 6 at a time, then the beneficial bacteria will recede to only process the waste of 6 fish, and stocking more at a later stage would be like a fish-in cycle; and (ii) there will be just the one episode of sorting out the pecking order as opposed to each time.

The only difficulty you might encounter with stocking all at once is a shop that might have staff unaware of the reliable fishless cycling method using ammonia, as they've only been taught fish-in cycling with bacteria in a bottle and think it's more modern and incorrectly believe it's superior, in which case they may attempt to limit how many they sell. Fingers crossed this won't be the case but perhaps best to be aware of it or have a back-up plan such as another place from which you can buy the remainder.

Lovely fish, and a great idea to stock it with a single species. I've had a look at a couple of stocking calculators online and, taking into account recommendations to account for 10% volume of tank for decor and sensible/responsible stocking of ~75%, you could probably have up to 15 of these fish (although these stocking calculators don't take into account nature of the fish such as how boisterous or active they are).

What sad news - I read this earlier today and it actually brought a lump to my throat and some tears, so I can only imagine how you must feel.

I'm glad a vet was able to help, and it must be of some consolation to know exactly what was happening rather than always wondering, and knowing that you probably spared her potentially weeks of suffering, and that she had a peaceful end. Her age is testament to the good care you gave her over her life.

You will miss her - I still miss mine daily - but hopefully you also have fond memories of her and what she contributed to your life (as well as you to hers).

Thanks for the update - much appreciated.

Welcome.

Any comments I've read about those brands have always been favourable, so I'm sorry I can't be of any help. If you're planning on keeping shrimps, though, then it would be worth checking how the lid fits to ensure that it's tight-fitting and the shrimps can't escape. If none of them have tight-fitting lids, then filter wool can be stuffed round any gaps (including cable wire holes) but it's not ideal.

It's also worthwhile checking Amazon for reviews as, unlike some websites that remove negative reviews, all are there. Generally, I find it helpful to read through the most negative reviews to see if there might be any substance in what is being said or anything you might not have foreseen.

Presumably you've seen / are following this guide https://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... hless-cycling-article.htm

It can take quite a few weeks for the nitrite to drop, so yes, it's just a matter of being patient.

If you have very soft water, then sometimes that can slow the cycle and bicarbonate of soda is required. Sometimes raising the tank temperature a little can help - but I wouldn't do that now if you have added plants.

Thanks for the update. Ah well - these days, anything goes! :)

That is indeed a plausible explanation for the problem. How are you moving her into the tank for the Epsom salt baths? I tend to find large jugs or plastic containers easier to move fish - perhaps guided in with a net - than using a net per se. I'm almost certain that I've read about ways of 'massaging' the fish to help with some problems albeit usually impacted eggs - but it would need to be undertaken very carefully if attempted.

I really do empathise with that difficult decision. I agree that it's likely the trip will be one-way - when my goldfish was ten, a vet was reluctant to operate (if the condition came to that) due to his age, although I think some are more willing now to operate on older fish than back then. You might find this helpful, if you live in the UK: https://www.fishvetsociety.org.uk/inte ... illing-to-treat-pet-fish/ Beforehand, you might find www.justanswer.com (the US version, where there are more aquatic vets) helpful - before I joined UK forums, I got some extremely helpful advice from aquatic vet staff there. If the trip to the vet were for assessment/ potential treatment (and euthanasia if that were the conclusion reached), then it's worth going. If it were purely for euthanasia, then there are ways of undertaking this humanely at home - via clove oil or Aqua-Sed - but I completely appreciate you may prefer not to do it yourself.

Keep us posted.