How am I doing?

Question
I bought the tank today, a six gallon with a filtration system and bio wheel, I rinsed the pebbles treated the water to get the chlorine, etc. out and put in a couple of decrotive plant. After running the system for awhile and letting the water get to room temperature I went back to the store for the fish. The guy recommended and sold me to tiger fish and two swordtails, how am I doing so far, any suggestions or mistakes you can see?

Answer
Hi Rob;

It's not good news I'm afraid. Tigers get 3 inches long and swordtails get 3 to 5 inches long and need a minimum of 20 gallons. The tigers are also very aggressive. They are all tropical fish so if your house room temperature ever goes below 73f, they need a heater. The first thing to do is find a different fish store or at least more knowledgeable employees where you already shop. Take the other fish back to the store and tell them they were sold to you as the first fish in a 6 gallon. You now know these fish all get too big for small tanks and there are too many for it to get through the break-in safely. If they don't agree or are not sympathetic, leave the fish on the counter and find another store.

The next step is to make a 50% water change in the tank. There are waste toxins in there from the swordtails and tigers that will be too high too soon. The water change will lower them so your new smaller fish can survive.

Now for fish.......Get one small fish that is no larger than one inch long, and that stays small even as an adult. A single dwarf danio, white cloud, neon tetra, dwarf cory cat, or cherry barb will be perfect. Once the tank breaks after 6 to 8 weeks you can add more, but only one fish per week. Here is a link to my article on new tanks and what is happening in there;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

Here is a great website with fish profiles to help you know more about fish you are considering;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/default.aspx?pnl=fresh

Here are profiles of those I suggested;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/505.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/447.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/577.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/633.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/386.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/490.htm

Here are the profiles of the two types you have already;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/559.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/449.htm

I hope all goes well. Followups welcome......

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins