Finding lookalike saltwater fish

[JoeyPBJ]

For years my kids have had a goldfish bowl and a betta bowl. Inevitably they die and my wife or the housekeeper is running out to get a look alike to replace before the kids notice.

Now that they're a little older they wanted a Nemo tank. I got them a 20 gallon, and a clown, yellow tang, royal gramma, striped damsel, and blenny. No pufferfish as I was told it might eat everything. Yesterday I started the tank and added everybody along with some safestart? stuff I was told to use. It looks great and everyone (fish and kids) is happy.

I'm sure many of you are in the same boat with tanks for your kids and here is my question... I'm expecting to be replacing these fish frequently based on the betta and goldfish experiences. How successful have you been in getting passable lookalikes? I'm nervous that 1) it will be hard to replace dead fish quickly because only one place has them in our area vs every store had Bettas and goldfish. 2) they're more complexly colored (and my kids are getting older) so is it harder to find passable look alikes?

Lastly Bettas and goldfish flush easily but some of these are big. When they die do you flush them?

 

[nibor75]

Surely this is a troll.

But if not:

These are living creatures you are treating as disposable items.

Learn to care for them properly or stop buying them. That goes for the goldfish and bettas as well.

 

[gone fishin]

I will bite and assume no troll.

Since your kids are getting older why not show them how to set a tank up properly and be responsible caretakers.

You can not just throw some water in the tank and add fish. I fear these fish are doomed. There is a sticky at the top off the forum on how to start a tank. I suggest returning the fish and reading on how to set up a tank first.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Surely this is a troll.

But if not:

These are living creatures you are treating as disposable items.

Learn to care for them properly or stop buying them. That goes for the goldfish and bettas as well.

Yah, What he said.

Do a little research. Look up nitrate cycle, bio-load, and the requirements for each fish.

It may be wise for you to return your fish, get a freshwater system, and try to keep something alive for a while for a while.

 

[JoeyPBJ]

Not sure what a troll is? I've never used a forum before.

The fish guy tried to sell me a huge system and a monthly service to take care of it. The expense was not an issue but I don't want something that big with water and electricity in my kids playroom.

I eat seafood regularly and have no issues. If a fish dies after giving a month or two of enjoyment to my kids it seems more worthwhile than one that died for me to eat.

I find it hard to believe people are not needing new fish that they hope will pass for their kids existing fish when they die. All I want is help advising how to do this since it seems like it will be harder than Bettas and goldfish.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

Along with what others have said, those fish will not survive a month. If they make it a week, I would be impressed. As for the kids, why shelter them from the inevitable? Part of life and keeping animals is death...sure they'll be sad, but they'll get over it and ultimately be stronger for it.

 

[gone fishin]

With a properly setup and maintained marine tank, fish can live for years and do not need replaced every few weeks.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Ok. :facepalm: I give.

For your tank, you need to
1. take the fish back,
2. get at least 15lbs of live rock,
3. Properly cycle the tank,
4. Add a sand bed,
5. Once all of the parameters have been stable for at lease a week, add a SINGLE Clownfish,
6. After another month add another slightly (correct me if I am wrong) larger Clownfish
7. After 6-8 months of having a stable system and new knowledge, add a Bubble tip Anemone.

Your kids will learn an eminence amount of biology, chemistry, ecology, and responsibility.

 

[Jrambo88]

It's a win win for you, you get fresh fish from your tank to eat weekly. Also you're supporting local business.(sarcasm I think he's a troll)

 

[mwminer]

JoeyPJB I think it is just despicable the way you feel that fish are just disposable creatures. If you were talking about dogs or cats, you would probably be arrested for Cruelty to Animals....I don't see the difference. Why don't you learn RESPONSIBILITY and teach that to your kids....Animals ARE NOT DISPOSIBLE ANIMALS.

 

[Coelli]

Come on you guys... It's not even a good troll. Way too obvious.

 

[billdogg]

Ok. :facepalm: I give.

For your tank, you need to
1. take the fish back,
2. get at least 15lbs of live rock,
3. Properly cycle the tank,
4. Add a sand bed,
5. Once all of the parameters have been stable for at lease a week, add a SINGLE Clownfish,
6. After another month add another slightly (correct me if I am wrong) larger Clownfish
7. After 6-8 months of having a stable system and new knowledge, add a Bubble tip Anemone.

Your kids will learn an eminence amount of biology, chemistry, ecology, and responsibility.

Pretty much what he said, but I would NOT put a pair of clownfish and an anemone in a 20g tank. A couple of small friendly fish and a cleaner shrimp would work fine. The cycle (fishless) will take at least 1 month, THEN you can add a fish at a time over a few weeks.

And I agree completely with the fact that these are NOT disposable creatures. I have several fish well over 5 years old, and I had a eel that was my responsibility for just over 25. YEARS.

PLEASE be responsible, or find another hobby - perhaps collecting rocks???

 

[rfgonzo]

Chalk this one up to another great LFS giving fantastic advice to someone who has no clue. The way you set this tank up I think you're better off teaching your kids about death otherwise you're going to be running out every other day to buy a new fish. If you truly want to keep Fish alive for your kids you should take everything back to the store and do some research before you buy anything.

 

[fishhuman]

Surely this is a troll.

But if not:

These are living creatures you are treating as disposable items.

Learn to care for them properly or stop buying them. That goes for the goldfish and bettas as well.

Fish are animals not toys. You are putting these fish under incredible abuse. Please return them soon

 

[fishhuman]

Sorry I quoted the wrong guy above. The above line was meant for OP.

 

[skippy2]

Holy crow!!!! I am just absolutely dumbfounded. I agree the LFS might have told the OP it was all fine. but then be mad at the greedy LFS not the OP.

And to the OP, my oldest fish is at least 12yrs. old. He is 1 of my original fish. But then again, I researched the hobby before I even bought a fish tank

 

[Coelli]

Guys, it's a troll... Look at the OP's title, he's already been banned.

 

[moneymm]

The month they are around they are being tortured and just surviving. kids will learn a lot more watching them develope under proper conditions.

 

[Sk8r]

TROLL.
Thread closed.