So, during the Christmas break my mum and I set up a fish tank. This wasn't the first time we'd done this, but it was the first time we'd done one so large. It must be a good 20-30 gallons. Previously, we'd set it up and stock it with a few fish a couple of days after. And that's what we did this time.

Only, after doing some research I found out you're supposed to let the tank cycle water for a few weeks before getting fish. This is to let all the chemicals balance out and to give time for beneficial bacteria to grow. So, when we put these fair sized fish in, it unbalanced the water levels, stressing the fish. Over the next few weeks our four gouramies died. Meanwhile, our glass catfish simply disappear. We're quite certain the peacock eel ate them.

Now, beyond our own stupidity, the pet store (petsmart) sold us two crabs. We were informed that they would need access to air or they'd drown. That was all well and good. What they forgot to mention was that they were a brackish water animal. They'd eventually die if left in fresh water. In fact, as I did more and more research on them, I found out that many species sold in pet stores as fresh water are actually brackish, these include puffer fish, most gobbies, and archer fish. Also, all those lovely cichlids really should have a special mixture of salts and minerals in their water.

Not everything turned out bad, mind. We were forced to get another tank (five gallons) which I got to bring with me to school. So, as I'm typing this I have two crabs (a boy and girl) and two bumblebee gobbies happily crawling and swimming beside me. It's all much more work than a tank of goldfish or a betta, but much more interesting.

I suppose the moral is to research any pets you get before you get them. Even the small inexpensive ones.


Clubs