Temporary housing for guppy - need advice

[Lauren B.]

Hi all,

Yesterday I was at Petsmart and saw one little male Guppy that was handicapped. He had a malformed spinal column and swum kinda sideways, but looked of good weight and could get around decently.

Being the sucker for handicapped animals, I would like to purchase this little guy (I don't want him to be bred in someone else's tank, but it would break my heart if someone used him as a feeder). However, my tank is not yet cycled. I was wondering what kind of accomodations I could make for this fish, temporarily, until my tank is cycled. I could purchase a 2-gallon tank set (one of those children's desktop kits), but how would I make the water accomodating for a spur of the moment purchase?

This is what I have to work with:

SeaChem's Prime (water conditioner)
SeaChem's Stability (beneficial bacteria)
Proper PH 6.5 (ph regulator)
Extra airline tube and airstone, misc. decorations, plants, gravel, thermometer

I can purchase food when I buy the fish, and the aquarium kit comes with UG filter, light bulb (the light will heat up the water if left on long enough, but it's been 75degrees here in TX this week). I plan on putting him into my community tank when it's cycled, so this 2-gallon housing will only be temporary.

Do you think I could make it work if I do frequent water changes?

[jweintraub]

That tank is going to have to go through a cycle also... Being that the fish is hadicapped already i'm not sure if it would be a great idea to use it as a "fish" cycling fish... if that made any sense...

[cocoa_pleco]

just use a goldfish bowl or clean rubbermaid container, and do a 100% waterchange every day or two

[cocoa_pleco]

i never cycled my bettas 2g since i had no time to cycle it, and there has been no ammonia or high levels, so you should be fine. It came with a filter too.

[Lady Hobbs]

Do not make an accomodations for him and do not buy sick fish ever. Bent spines are often the sign of TB and will kill all your fish if they become infectioned with it. Also can be transmitted to human. Get rid of him!

[Lauren B.]

That tank is going to have to go through a cycle also... Being that the fish is hadicapped already i'm not sure if it would be a great idea to use it as a "fish" cycling fish... if that made any sense...

I understand what you're saying, but cycling/fish cycling wasn't really the question I was trying to ask. I'm simply trying to figure out how I can keep this guy comfortable until my larger tank is done cycling, be it through water changes, or chemical additions, etc. If it were a less hardy fish I wouldn't even consider trying.

[cocoa_pleco]

OH YEAH, what hobbs said. Its probably TB. DO NOT BUY HIM. any other fish will get sick and you can catch it and get really sick

[Lady Hobbs]

I would temporarily house him in the toilet then accidentally flush it.

[Lauren B.]

Wow, I'm glad I don't suffer from a heart murmur, or HIV, or herpes, or arthritis, or stomatitis, or cerebral palsey...I guess I'd get flushed too!

[Lady Hobbs]

I wasn't trying to be smart, Lauren, but is this one fish worth everything else you put in the tank? I can love a fish to death but if one little $2 fish kills $200 dollars worth of fish and leaves me with a contaiminated tank, then you have to do what you have to do for the good of all your fishes.

[bettaboy691]

as much as i try me best to save ill fish, and my best to make all fish feel happy in their tank, i personally think i would have to draw the line where you are, taking in a sick fish is one thing, but when it risks your health, its a different issue.sadly, i think the best thing for it is to be humainly euthanised. its best for the fish and best for you.

[Lady Hobbs]

You also see where people buy an ill fish then have to pay $40 to get meds for it only to have it die anyway when they could have gotten 20 healthy ones. Boggles my mind.

[gm72]

Do a search of the forum here, you will find information on fish TB. I have it in one of my tanks, or at least suspect I do. Dangerous proposition to buy sick fish.

[cocoa_pleco]

The only thing i do for sick fish is if i see one thats had say finrot for a week, and the store doesnt put in meds, i'll buy it and treat it myself.

[fishbiz]

Couldn't visit yesterday, but wanted to add my two cents. Hobbs makes sense! If your pet store is responsible, they will deal with the fish anyway. Would hate to learn that you got sick b/c you tried to save a fish that probably will not make it anyway...

[ArmanS]

I am sorry to say but you have too much time and money on your hands... donate the money to a charity or enjoy it, just tell the petstore that the fish is ill and they will try there best to fix the situation, or just flush it.