small aquariums

Question
I recently put up a 2 gallon aquarium.  We visited a local pet store.  We were recommended the following:  2 sucker fish, 1 beta, 3 tetras and 1 cat fish.  The sucker fish, we were told was to eat up the bacteria and the cat fish was to clean up the bottom of the tank.  The beta and the tetra were just for "looks".  However, we are down to 1 tetra, 2 sucker fish and the beta.  The rest died in a matter of 4 days.  We are novices as far as to keeping fish.  We also poured a water stabilizer.  To keep the fish from getting shocked.  My question is did we buy the wrong kind of fish for the aquarium?  I don't know the pH level of the water or the temperature.  I would hate to invest anymore if the fish aren't going survive.

Answer
Dear Anna,
Unfortunately you have been another victim of petstore misinformation. You should never stock any aquarium with so many fish--especially leading to the very small size of your aquarium. Suckerfish do not eat bacteria either.

Not that there was anything wrong with the fish but the petstore should have known better and told you the right thing!! I'm sorry but it is very frustrating when petstores care more about the sale of fish than their well-being. It's life were talking about and it's just plain cruel to inform somebody who is just beginning with bad info...

But anyway to the most important thing now. The reason you lost so many fish was because of ammonia buildup. Ammonia is the waste by-product of fish. In all healthy aquariums a good colony of beneficial bacterial are established whom convert the harmful ammonia into safe substances. These special bacteria colonize your gravel bed and are vital to begin establishing in all newly setup aquariums whom have no bacteria colonies present and as a result when fully stocked with fish.. Will cause a usually extreme ammonia spike which most all but the hardiest of fish will succumb. Ideally an aquarium would be setup with just a few small hardy fish for cycling the aquarium which can take take anywhere from 4-6 weeks and then slowly adding a few fish per week until it is fully stocked.

I can relate to and fully understand the confusion and trouble you are going through. So where do you go from here now?
Well
*It would be best if you got ammonia and nitrite test kits
*Changing the water is vital now for the life of your fish.
*Change 30-50% of your aquarium water everyday
*Insure your replacement water is equal in temperature to that of your aquarium by use of an aquarium thermometer and that it is properly dechlorinated with a water conditioner like Prime

To cycle your aquarium now-
*Test your water everyday
*Make those vital 30-50% water changes whenever levels of ammonia and nitrite are above safe bounds
*Feed lightly
*Do not stock anymore aquatic life in the tank
~Unfortunately an aquarium of 2 gallons is really best suited to a single betta only. He might be able to live with the tetra but the lonely tetra would appreciate some companions as most tetras are schooling or "grouping" fish.
I'm afraid the Sucker fish may be a problem. Many fish go by the name "Sucker fish" and can range from the dark colored Plecos to the Chinese algae eaters. Both of which would grow too large for your aquarium and can cause trouble for your other tank occupants.

Ok, so what I would do now is finish cycling your aquarium including plenty of water changes and now decide on the sucker fish if they are best in your tank. Please do not overstock and try to just maintain the betta a few tetras at the most.
An aquarium of even 10 gallons with a filter and heater would be a must easier and simpler setup and you could include a few more fish once that aquarium cycles. It's just a thought.


I really hope this helps!
Only my very best wishes and Good luck!
Karen~