From: orson 10/10/00
Subject: Re: ya thats right
could be "lid slam syndrome"
From: kitty fish 10/11/00
Subject: NO!
Is this a serious post? Celestial goldfish are called so because they were bred by the ancient Chinese to live in ponds. The people wanted their goldfish to look to the "heavens" and selectively bred this trait into the fish. Its eyes are SUPPOSED to point upward, thats the way the fish was "made." BTW, you cannot keep a goldfish healthfully in a (toilet ;) bowl. A tank of at least 15-20 gallons is required as goldfish are VERY messy and get VERY large (10+ inches, not counting tails). Go to www.rk2000.com for more goldfish information.
kitty fish
From: argus 10/11/00
Subject: er..i dont think they were serious......DUH!
n/m
From: aaron 10/10/00
Subject: Kribs
Does anyone know if these fish are too aggressive for a community tank. The tank is 55 gal. It has 2 angelfish, 1 betta, 1 clown loach, 1 cory, 2 dwarf gouramis, 4 black ruby barbs, and 6 blue rams. i am wanting to add a pair of kribs to it
From: Jaz 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Kribs
Yes they are good community fish and will breed in yur tank
From: simon 10/10/00
Subject: Need informations about crayfish...
Can someone can give me info about crayfish??
From: sword 10/14/00
Subject: Re: Need informations about crayfish...
i used to go to a park with crayfish when i was little, and i used to catch around 15 crayfish for free. babies and big ones. i didn't have a tank then, but just a bin and left them there. i didn't know what to feed them but dried shrimp and some rice chex! they really ate them, also, many pple used a small chunk of hotdog as a bait to catch crayfish. i did that too, it worked. however, i dont think u should do that in ur tank, i did that 10 yrs ago, it was fine, but the crayfish i caught looks different from the ones in the petstores, so it might be different. anyway, my crayfish lasted a looong time even when i didn't provide them real fish food or whatever. they lasted for years, and we decided to get rid of them. eventually, we cooked them up, though i never tasted them, they're my pets. not to scare u, but that was my personal experience with my crayfish. luv' em still in my heart. still miss 'em all. how r u doing w/ ur crayfish? do u have other fish with them?
From: ferd 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Need informations about crayfish...
excellant tail meat with butter!
From: simon 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Need informations about crayfish...
Dont forget the rice and the white wine!
From: BOHICA 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Need informations about crayfish...
while i most definately agree that crawfish tale are excellant, i dont really think thats what you were looking for in an answer was it? anyway crayfish are excellant scavengers and will eat almost anything and thrive. however there is a downside, they will eat any fish they catch also! and they are expert escape artists. in my opinion the good outweighs the bad as they are very interesting critters.
bohica
From: daniel 10/10/00
Subject: need advice
Well i have a 5G with 6 rasboras in it, the tank iself is fine and clean but i want to add a fish or 2 to make it more lively, but i don't want livebearers
so if you have suggestion please tell.
From: angie 10/10/00
Subject: Re: need advice
i would add 1 small cory, your already close to full 4 a 5 gal.
From: Nick 10/10/00
Subject: Re: need advice
Your tank is already crowded. The rule is one inch of fish per gallon of water. It'll be better if you add none. If you want more fish, get a bigger tank.
From: joel 10/10/00
Subject: Aggresive Algea.
Hi, In my aggresive tank I have brown algea growing fast. What type of algea eater should I get for it? In my 29 gal community tank, I have some otocinclus's and they are doing a good job with the brown algea. Thanks in advacne.
From: Art Zurhorst 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Aggresive Algea.
What you describe is seldom brown algae. True brown algae is a low light variety and can usually be eliminated by increasing the light. The brown gunk you see is probably excessive mineralized organics. This is from too many fish, too much food, poor filtration, or not doing a gravel vac and water change often enough. This of course tells you that algae eaters will not eat this but a scrub pad will! One more thing it could be if it has a redish brown look is commonly called red algae but is actually a bacteria called cyanobacteria. This type of bacteria thrives in places with heavy nutrients and no oxygen. You could also try dosing your tank with Maracyn (antibiotic erthromyacin) and if it is cyanobacteria, that will get rid of it. Then look to get better circulation in your tank to prevent it. Setting up your filter to get a good disturbance at the surface to degass co2 and take in oxygen also usually helps. I hope somewhere in this lengthy answer you find the answer to your problem. Art, Premier Fish & Reptiles, Memphis, TN.
From: Kevin 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Aggresive Algea.
I have personally found algea eaters hard to keep..but remember thats my personal opinion. But may I suggest and algea spongs? so you can wipe it off it works great and thats what I use. If you want a algea eater though I cant suggest what kind to get. hope I helped.
(http://www.geocities.com/mynameiskevin14/framepage.html) here
From: Megan 10/10/00
Subject: Dwarf Frogs
I have a dwarf frog that has lost skin twice in one month. Now he is a very pale color. Almost albino white? Is this normal for dwarf frogs?
Thanks!
From: Barb 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Dwarf Frogs
It is completely normal for an ADF to shed its' skin, even twice in one month (kinda weird when they do, huh?).
What color is he normally? They will look a little lighter after shedding. If he in fact has been fairly white all along, that is, an albino, then chances are that he is an african clawed frog. Are his hands webbed or not? Is he behaving, eating, etc. normally?
Barb
From: Shelly 10/10/00
Subject: Please help Fishy!!!!
Our (approx. 5 yr old) goldfish is acting very peculiar. We are scared. We've had him for years, but suddenly he started acting out aggresively, back & forth in the tank, bumping the glass until his mouth is red. Now he stays in one corner all of the time closer to the top than the bottom, and he doesn't want to eat. Our little boy is very scared. He's had fishy most of his life. Can someone please help????
From: Art 10/13/00
Subject: Re: Please help Fishy!!!!
How is Fishy? Am concerned.
From: Art Zurhorst 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Please help Fishy!!!!
In the wild when a fish encounters conditions that threaten his survival, it quickly leaves the area. This can be temperature, PH, lack of oxygen, a toxic condition, or many other things. A fish dashing around in an aquarium is usually trying to leave the area because something is wrong with the water. He bumps into the glass because he does not understand the concept of glass and just repeatedly tries to swim away from the area as fast as he can. This is probably what happened. If he is not feeding, then it is serious and daily water changes are called for (correct temp and declorinated, of course). Whatever the condition that occurred in the water, it sounds like it has led to a gill infection. That is why he would be off his feed and stays near the top (he is trying to get more oxygen because the gill infection has made it hard to breathe just like a human with a lung infection). You should immediately treat him with a sulfa based medication such as Tri-sulfa, Triple sulfa, or Super sulfa. Your local store should have one of these. If the instructions call for treatment every other day, treat EVERY DAY for the first three days, because this is an emergency, and then continue treatment according to the package instructions. Don't forget to remove any carbon from filters before treating because the carbon will filter the medication out of the water. Lots of luck and keep your fingers crossed. With care and a little luck, goldfish commonly live over ten years, and 25 to 30 years is not unheard of! Art, Premier Fish & Reptiles, Memphis, TN.
From: kitty fish 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Please help Fishy!!!!
Sounds like something has upset Fishy! Have you recently changed the light? filter/filter cartridge? majority of the water? decorations? Is there a new source of sound/vibrations nearby? Has there been any other changes of environment that you can think of? Are you sure someone has not added something undesired to Fishy's tank (coins, liquid detergents, excess food)? After 5 years, tank size isn't going to matter any more, though you should give Fishy at least a 10-20 gallon with good filtration to keep him healthy and active. Please post back with more information!
kitty fish
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Please help Fishy!!!!
Gold fish need a minimum of 25 gallons of water to be happy. If his tank is too small they will do just as you discribed. My suggestion is to get him a bigger tank. If you do this all should be good again. Rose
From: Jon 10/10/00
Subject: Big Mistake!!!
I lost more than half of my fish to some disease, so I restocked my tank with more fish. I added a blue gourami and a cinnamin gourami. The trouble is that my old peaceful 6" pink gourami which had no trouble with the old fish is now chasing the new blue gourami. My question is, will the pink gourami survive with cichlids? I am asking because I have two choices.
1. Get rid of the evil pink gourami.
2. Get rid of the new fish and add some pretty cool cichlids (oscars?) to the large pink gourami.
I have a 75 gal. and the pink gourami still wants more space.
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Big Mistake!!!
When you put the new fish in the tank did you rearrange the tank so that all occupants needed to find new territories. You can still rearrange the tank and turn out the light for a day or two after rearranging the tank. this will keep the occupants a little bit less stressed. Hope this helps. Your gouramies should get along. Rose
From: Jon 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Big Mistake!!!
Cool idea.
Thanx.
From: Mike 10/10/00
Subject: Need Bala Shark tank mates
I've got 2 small bala sharks in a 10 gallon tank. I was wondering if I still have room for any more small guys. I realize that the bala's will eventually out grow the 10-gallon tank. I wanted to add something small and colorful to the tank. I don't like those mean tiger barbs. How would neon tetras do? Thanks
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Need Bala Shark tank mates
The tetras will eventually become dinner to the bala's. Gouramies, clown loaches, pictus cats swordtails, those are some combos I have had or seen that work. Good luck. Rose
From: Jon 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Need Bala Shark tank mates
I had mollies, tetras, loaches, and a pink gourami in a 10 gal. for almost a year with my balas. They got too big after 8 months. I even had a crab or 5 because they kept climbing out and into every room in my house.
From: Kim 10/10/00
Subject: Snails keep dying
I have a small tank with one Betta in it - he's doing fine and has been for some time now. About a month ago I tried introducing a snail into the aquarium to cut down on the algae (I don't have the chance to clean as often as I should) and it died within about a week. The guy at the pet store said it probably starved as I didn't have enough algae in the tank (I had just cleaned it before I dropped it in).
So, I waited about a week and got a new snail - it was doing fine for about 2 weeks, and I looked this morning and it's dead.
There's no way it starved to death - there's enough algae in there for 20 snails.
Any thoughts would be appreciated...
From: Art 10/14/00
Subject: Re: Snails keep dying
Several possibilities I can think of. If you are cleaning your tank only once a month, your water could be going acid. If you drop a snail from neutral or alkaline water into acid water, if it doesn't kill it, it can cause it to come down with bacterial infections which are hard to detect in snails. Another possiblity is that you have traces of copper in your the water you are using for your tank. Your LFS can test for this. Copper is deadly to snails. Finally, if you want a snail to clean your tank, I think you will find them to have a poor "work ethic". They just do not seem to do a good job of cleaning unless you have a bunch of them. In my store we may put 25 to 50 in a 25 gallon tank, and it gets cleaner, but they never clean it well. People usually get snails simply because they are just neat little creatures (unless its an adult Apple snail--they are not little. Had one once about the size of a softball--really cool)
From: Barb 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Snails keep dying
Kim,
Few Qs for you...
What size tank is he in? How often are you changing his water and how much each time? What "conditioners" are you adding to the water? For example, do you put in a drop of Aquarisol (not to imply that you should!)? What and how often are you feeding your betta?
Are sure that Mr. Betta didn't dine on a little escargot?
Barb
From: Kim 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Snails keep dying
Hi Barb... I feed the Betta 'Betta Bites' and the occasional dried shrimp. I change the water probably once a month, and I do use water conditioners - one to condition tapwater and another to remove chlorine and that kind of thing.
I feed the Betta once a day.
I suggested previously to my aquarium dude that maybe the betta ate the snail, and he said not a chance - the snail would retract at the first snip... and I have to agree - it looks like he's still in there (the snail)... he's just kind of curled up and died.
I thought snails were heartier than to be affected by the water condition or by the food I feed the fish and that kind of thing...
From: Barb 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Snails keep dying
Hey Kim!
So what kind of set-up is he in? Size, filtration, how long has the tank been established and that sort of thing? I think that you are right in that you are likely not changing the water often enough. What are your water parameters? I wonder if you could be having ammonia spikes and while the very hardy betta can take it, maybe a snail can't? Maybe CT, the Snail King, has some insight.
Barb
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: What kind of snail? n/m
n/m
From: Kim 10/10/00
Subject: Re: What kind of snail? n/m
to be honest, I'm not sure what kind... I just took what they gave me at the aquarium service... he's small - maybe 1 inch square and yellow with some slight green markings.
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: Re: What kind of snail? n/m
Sounds like it's either an Apple Snail or a Mystery Snail. I don't think these critters are very good at eating algae so they are probably not well suited for that purpose.
So, if you want to keep them happy you'll need to offer them some veggies. If you want snails that eat algae you'll need to get Ramshorn or Pond Snails.
CT
From: Kim 10/11/00
Subject: Re: What kind of snail? n/m
I am going to try another snail... and to be honest, the only reason I want one in there at all is to help keep things clean, so perhaps a Ramshorn or pond snail as you've mentioned.
Thanks!
From: Trish 10/10/00
Subject: Opinion on best configuration of 2nd filter and heaters
I have a 20 gallon long tank. Currently I have 1 AC150 HOB towards the left end of the tank and no heaters. I want to add heater(s) to keep the temperature stable in the winter and was thinking about a second filter for the right side of the tank as well. The right side of the tank is less accessible than the left for any kind of maintenance. I'm leaning towards a sponge filter, thoughts?
Also, would I be better off with a heater on each end along with a filter on each end? Or would one heater in the middle be better?
Thanks!
From: Art 10/14/00
Subject: Re: Opinion on best configuration of 2nd filter and heaters
While the filter you have now is fine for your size tank, remember that in this filter the bacteria that break down organics will culture in the sponge. This means do not put many fish in the tank, rinse the sponge only when absolutely necessary and do it gently in aquarium water, not tap water. A sponge filter on the other end would let you put in more fish if you made sure you never rinsed both sponges at the same time (about two weeks or more apart would be ok). If you could, you would be better served to put a biowheel 125 on this tank. If you get a 125 and already have fish in the tank, run both filters for about six weeks. By that time the bacteria will be on the wheel since they will like it better. You could then take your 150 off the tank and save it for an emergency or quarantee/hospital tank if you ever decide to get one. A 75 to 100 watt heater positioned in the middle of your tank will keep the entire tank within 1 degree which is as good as you can get. Normally I have never seen a difference with two heaters unless a tank is 5 feet long or longer. Then two heaters rated at 1 1/2 watts per gallon each (total 3 watts per gallon)placed in each back corner seems to keep the tank within 1 degree all over. The rule for typical heated american homes for aquarium heaters is 3 watts per gallon. If you see a book that says 8, it was originally written in Europe and does not apply to the US. Hope this helps
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: Yes, I would add a sponge filter at the other end
n/m
From: Trish 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Sold on filter, any add'l opinions on heater placement?
.
From: CT 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Sold on filter, any add'l opinions on heater placement?
Follow the heater manufacturer's instructions for placement.
CT
From: Trish 10/10/00
Subject: Do you always have to treat for ick?
When I first added my tetras a couple months ago they got ick immediately. Each fish had multiple grains on their fins. I treated them successfully as directed here and they got better.
Couple weeks ago one of the tetras got one little ick grain on its lower lip. Treated again. But now it's back. Just one little ick grain on the lower lip.
Should I worry about treating again if there is just one ick grain present? Or could this be something else that I'm mistaking for ick?
Water parameters are good, pH has stabilized. Little bit of an algae problem, so I cut back on the lights. Everyone seems to be getting along well, no new fish. Anything else I should check?
Thanks!
From: Lindsay 10/12/00
Subject: Re: Do you always have to treat for ick?
YES! It is very important that you do otherwise the infection will spread and eventually kill the poor fish. If the ick parasite on the tetra's lip is NOT spreading then I would recommend asking someone else for help :P and describing IN DETAIL what it looks like.Good luck!!
Lindsay
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Do you always have to treat for ick?
ICH Links:
From: Trish 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Thanks, liked the movie
.
From: CT 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Thanks, liked the movie
The ich movie is about to become a classic. :-)
CT
From: Doc BS 10/11/00
Subject: New at the box office...
Slated to be a classic...
(http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/video/white%20spot%2002.mpg) Ich 2: The Sequel
From: CT 10/12/00
Subject: Re: New at the box office...
That's a good one too! It even stays in focus for a split second. :-)
CT
From: Stasid 10/09/00
Subject: Filters
What kind of filter is good for a 10 gallon tank? right now I have a whisperfilter and... it doesnt work well. Thanks for the info.
From: Art 10/12/00
Subject: Re: Filters
Lance is right. The Society of Aquaculture Engineers did a study of filters a few years ago for the fish farming and breeding industry. The wet/dry with biotower and Rotating Biological Contactor came out way ahead of everything else in every catagory tested. This was an independent study. A lot of companies make wet/dry but they are fairly expensive. The RBC actually slightly beat out the wet/dry and is much cheaper. Marineland has a patent on the RBC and that is the biowheel. Since oxygen enters water only as a reaction to the release of carbon dioxide, bubbles, per se, cannot put oxygen into the water. The biowheel get rid of carbon dioxide so well that some plant enthusiasts don't like to use them on heavily planted tanks. The problem with a Whisper (or Regent, Aquatech, et.al.) with only a disposable cartridge is that the good bacteria cultures in the cartrige, and every time you rinse it or change it you remove most of the bacteria that gets rid of ammonia and nitrites. My store, Premier in Memphis, carries only biowheels. We have the science to back that up and thousands and thousands of customers who swear by them. If you don't like them, you probably are not using them properly.
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: What do you mean?
Why is it not working well? As a side note: It's a good idea to use two kinds of filters -- a HOB and one that bubbles (UGF or Sponge).
CT
From: Stasid 10/10/00
Subject: Re: What do you mean?
I have a whisper 5-15 that isnt filtering the water well. There is a lot of debris and the cartridge keeps getting clogged up. I have to change the filter every week because it wont come clean. I used to have an eclipse bio-wheel setup for my 2.5 gallon tank which worked good. Would something like that be good? Also, what is a good bubble thing? Thanks!
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: Re: What do you mean?
You may want to do the following:
* Add a sponge filter as suggested previously.
* Cut back on feeding a bit.
* Make sure you're not overstocked.
The air driven sponge filter should provide enough "bubbles" for you.
CT
From: Lance 10/09/00
Subject: why dont it work well?
Well anyway you said that it doesnt work well so ill have to beleive you. I would recommend you stick with the whisper if it still works but if It REALLY doesnt then I would reccomend a "mini pengun (with bio-wheel)" These filter I think are the best. espacially the biowheel. good bacteria grow on the wheel and makes the filteration better! hope this helps. bye. LAnce
From: Lance 10/09/00
Subject: Do gouramies have nostrils?
Just wondering If fish had nostrils because my gourami has two little hole looking things between the eye and the mouth on the top part of its head, one on the right and one on the left. Are these normal? Oh, one more thing can they smell food? thanks
From: kitty fish 10/09/00
Subject: Of course they do!
All fish have nostrils! Though they aren't connected to their gills or used for breathing as ours are. They are relatively shallow pits lined with thousands of sensitive nerves which are connected to the brain. They do smell food, as this is their main means of finding food. Fish have relatively POOR eyesight and their sense of smell and their sensitive lateral line are relied on greatly to find food and avoid predators. If you'll notice, there are small flaps of skin in/around the nostril. These flaps of skin guide the water into the nostril, much as the lobes of our ears direct sound into the ear canal. Hope this helps!
kitty fish
From: Lance 10/09/00
Subject: Thanks (remember im only ten) Im not as smart as you
Thanks again!
From: Art 10/14/00
Subject: Re: Thanks (remember im only ten) Im not as smart as you
Lance, I'm only 57 and I am not as smart as you! Sometimes when you get older like me you forget that other people can be real smart and it is ok to ask them questions! You keep asking and learning. I first started asking questions about fish when I was 9 (yes, we had fish way back then!) I started with a baby black molly which died the first day. But by the time I was 15 I was breeding fish and selling them to fish stores. By the time I was 25 I had graduated from college as a fish biologist. Now I have my own fish store with almost 300 tanks filled with beautiful fish and cool reptiles. If you ever come to Memphis Tennessee, I would be so pleased to have you see my store and tell me if you like it. So keep asking questions and learning, and maybe some day you will own a whole store full of fish and have a real fun job! Care, Art
From: kitty fish 10/10/00
Subject: That's great!
Asking questions is the best way to learn more about *anything*! Don't EVER feel stupid for asking a question.
kitty fish
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: you are plenty smart Lance. n/m
n/m
From: Stephanie 10/09/00
Subject: How many babys do platies have?
can someone tell me please???
From: lance 10/09/00
Subject: babies
They can have from 10 to 200 young. hope this is helpful, bye. Lance
From: Kevin 10/09/00
Subject: hey everyone...
ive made a new fish board and it needs visitors please check it out:
(http://pub25.ezboard.com/bthefishboard) here
From: timothy 10/09/00
Subject: finding female dwarf gouramis
I cant find a female dwarf gourami at any local pet stores, and the ones online that I have found have huge shipping rates, but I only want one fish. Where can I find one? Thank you
From: Evie 10/11/00
Subject: Re: finding female dwarf gouramis
Have you tried to order them thru you lfs? They might do it for you. I can get all of the female bettas and Gouramies I want here. The quality is questionable where I live but I got lucky and have 2 healthy specimens.
From: Jaz 10/09/00
Subject: Re: finding female dwarf gouramis
Many times females of a number of specias are hard to find. Usually the reason for this is because the fish come from breeders and the breeder usually keeps the females for further breeding.
Sorry I can't tell you where you can find a female but I have told why you can't find one
Good luck in your search.
Jaz
From: Mandie 10/09/00
Subject: Platties
I am a complete novice having a really hard time (probably not as hard as my fish!) My company have installed a tank - and a 'fish-guru' set it up - tested the water etc etc then put 8 platties in. He then left the company, after explaining how to care for the fish. Over the last few days the 2 platties have died, I have been doing everything he said, however I am obviously doing something wrong. This morning when I came in - all the fish are hiding around the heater - near the top of the tank - they look pretty unhappy. I have been using the stress reducers that I had been told to use - are they stressed - or could it be something else. I'm sorry if this is an obvious answer - but I really don't know what to do -its heart breaking to see.
From: Rose 10/09/00
Subject: Give us the answer to these questions...
1) What size tank is it?
2) have you tested your water for Ammonia, nitrItes, nitrAtes and pH? If so what are they?
3) Are there any visible signs on them that may tell you they are sick, for example are there white cottony stuff on them, white grains of salt, red streaks in the fins, open or angry wounds, stuff of that nature. If there is something there on the fish tell us what it looks like.
4) How long has the tank been set up?
5) Are the fish gasping at the top of the tank, like they are trying to get air?
6) When was the last time you did a water change? How often do you change the water and how much do you change?
7) what other fish do you have in the tank with the platties?
8) Do you put salt in the tank?
I think this is all. If not someone else will post what I have missed. We need the answers to these questions so we can help you figure out what is happening to your fish. Get back to us and we'll see what we can do for you and your fish. Rose
From: Barb 10/09/00
Subject: You are too awesome Rose!
Great questions Rose!!
Mandie... I have a few more to ask (starting to feel like you're taking a test, huh?)...
1. What kind of filter?
2. Is there aeration (air bubbles)in the tank?
3. What is the water temperature?
4. What are you adding to condition the water and how much of it?
5. What, how much and how often are you feeding the fish?
Good for you Mandie for taking the lead on this and trying to save the fishies!
Barb
From: Mandie 10/10/00
Subject: Answers!
Hi guys,
Firstly thank you so much for helping!
Right here goes:-
1) The tank is 4 ft by 18inch high & 1 foot deep.
2) I haven't tested the water - it was tested about 4 weeks ago before the fish were put in it.
3) They do have a Red streak near their fins (I am sorry - I thought this was their colour when I became their mummy)
4) The tank has been set up for 6 weeks. The fish are 4 weeks old and it is an old one (It was set up in a different company and we inherited it.)
5)The fish have started gasping now - they weren't yesterday. They are still exactly in the same place.
6) I changed the water last night - I do it weekly - approx. 3 gallons
7) No other fish - I am far to worried about these fellas to buy any more
8) I do have salt that I put in the tank - it is called aquarium salt and I put a level teaspoon in with a water change.
9) The filter is a TUP 303 FLUVAL, if that means anything. It is a complete nightmare to change!
10) There are bubbles - however I was told only to have them on for a couple of hours a day as they were cosmetic.
11) The temperature is 80
12) I add the salt and also stress Zyme and I add a real small bit of this with a water change.
13) I feed them flakes - a small bit (about the size of a 2pence piece 2 times a day. However they didn't eat yesterdays so I had to get it out.
Also, I think I am developing some algae, (I have been reading other messages on the board last night) it is like a green mist on the inside of the tank wall - not too much it looks like a smear.
Gosh - this really sounds like I am doing something wrong, but thank you both again.
Mandie
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: comments/ Barb did I miss anything?
I first thought is their stressed because of high levels nitrites or ammonia. You need to get your water tested for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates. Once we get those then we can work on getting your water comfortable for your fish.
Next your fish DO have Septicemia. Septicemia is a bacteria that enters the blood stream and circulate through the tissues causing inflammation and damage. Blood vessel and heart tissue damage results in leakage of fluids into the abdomen which can cause dropsy. (Dropsy will be a lesson for another day.)
Treatment for Septicemia. Get some Maracyn-two isn't cheep. The directions say on the first day use 2 tablets for every 10 gallons of water. ( If your tank is lets say a 30 gallon tank, it doesn't hold 30 gallons of water it will hold about 20 gallons of water maybe 25 depending on how much gravel and decorations you have in your tank. Just to let you know so you don't over dose.) Days 2-5 use 1 tablet for every 10 gallons of water. Treat for the full 5 days even if the red streaks are gone.
The next thing to do is get the water tested and posted to us BEFORE you put the medication in. If your water is toxic we'll need to do water changes to bring it down. I'm hoping this isn't the case.
As for the bubbles leave them on all the time. It doesn't hurt this fish it helps them. It circulates the water and gives them oxygen in the water for them to breath. It just plain looks nice too. I have bubbles in all my tanks the only time they are off is when I'm cleaning the tanks. Some fish like to swim in them too.
Having the temp up will help the little guys but you must turn on the bubbles and keep them on. The warmer the water the less oxygen in the water for the fish.
If they aren't eating that is normal with Septicemia. They will eat again in a couple of days till them I would lay off the feedings. If they aren't eating why waste it.
You are doing a great job with the fish. I have found that keeping fish is a science. You have to make sure the water is good for the fish, take care of the fish when sick or healthy, take care of any live plants you have on and on it goes. If you like science fish keeping is right up your alley. I love science and found that I love fish keeping just as much. Any way you are doing a great job with as little informaiton as you got when you became mommy. Stick with us and we'll make you a pro yet.
Let us know what the water tests come back as. You can get a test kit called the master test kit. It's in a green box and runs around $22-23. It has the ammonia test, nitrite test and your pH test. The others in the kit you don't use very offten if ever. You can also go to Petsmart and have them test for free. I would get the test kit because you need to check the levels in your tank once a month or more till you get the feel for your tank and how it works.
I hope all this will help and Let us know about the water and we'll get you on the right path. Good luck and we'll be talking later. Sorry the post is so long I wanted to get you going in the right direction and try to explain a few things too. Rose
From: Barb 10/10/00
Subject: Rose... I'd go with your first thought!
Mandy and Rose,
I think that it is most likely that the fish are succumbing to ammonia or nitrite toxicity. I don't believe that the fish have septicemia because each has a red streak on the tail (could be part of normal coloration) and all are gasping/succumbing at exactly the same time (not the pattern one would expect with infection). So, Mandy, keep an eye on those red streaks and let us know if they develop more of them or any red or bloody blotches. Hold on the antibiotics for now.
Number one thing to do is to get your water tested pronto! When you are at the pet/fish store getting it tested or picking up a testing kit, also pick up a bottle each of Amquel and NovAqua, to condition/treat the water. Get the airstone as CT suggests.
BTW Mandy, where ya from? The 2 pence reference was a dead giveaway that you are not from the States!
Barb
From: Mandie 10/11/00
Subject: Re: Rose... I'd go with your first thought!
Thanks for all this, I am off to the pet shop right now!
Ill let you know what happens.
Barb, i am from Birmingham in the UK, very astute of you!! he he he.
Anyway, I have to sort my boys out - so I will give you a progress report soon :)
Thank you all again
Mandie
From: CT 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Answers!
* Gasping fish are a sign of inadequate aeration or improperly treated/conditioned tap water. Add an airstone to your air pump and leave it on all the time. Monitor to see if this helps the gasping. Also let us know what you are using to treat your tap water (does it contain chlorine or chloramines?)
* You should be past the worst part of the cycle. The only way to know for sure is to test the water with a test kit like the AP Master Test Kit. Or take a sample down to your LFS.
* Pick up a few more types of food and alternate them. Good choices would be something meaty (with Brine Shrimp, FD Bloodworms) and something with veggies (spiralina flakes, algae tabs for bottom feeders).
* How many fish are in the tank? And what kind of fish are they?
Mandie, I know this is a lot of information to come up with but we're asking you questions that really need to be asked.
CT
From: Rose 10/09/00
Subject: I knew I forgot something...Thanks Barb :) n/m
n/m
From: Pleco 10/09/00
Subject: Filtration Requirements?
Are two 200gph canister filters enough for a 55 gallon coldwater tank? I have two small koi, two fancy goldfish, and one four inch pleco.
My fishy website...
http://Herne.tripod.com/fish.html
From: lance 10/09/00
Subject: filter
Your filter should filter the tanks volume at least 8 times per hr. This what it said in the fish book. hope this is helpful, bye. LAnce
From: Nabiyatkd 10/09/00
Subject: Betta's fin rot simply won't go away....
Hi everyone. I wrote a message last week about my betta's fin rot. I took Kick's advice, and have been using aquarium salt, no meds, and have followed Barb and Rose's advice with putting a towel around my tank at nite since my office lights are permanently stuck in the "on" position. My office, however, is still very cold. The thing is, though, that my betta is getting WORSE, not better! First the splitting and rot only affected his tail fin, but it is not affecting his other fins as well. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Thanks so much,
Nabiyatkd
From: Rose 10/09/00
Subject: Try some MelaFix
I use MelaFix in my tanks for all my fish. It's safe for all fish. It's made from tea extracts, all natural. It's a anti bacterial medication. It repairs damaged fins and open wounds. Colorless, oderless you can even use it in saltwater tanks. I would continue with the salt as well. Give him alot of TLC. A little TLC can go a long way to makeing him better.
Just to let you know I have barbs that tore my pearl gouramies fins almost compleatly off. I took the two gouramies put them in a hospital tank with MelaFix and less than a week the fins were growing back nicely. It's been 2 weeks since that incident and my gouramies fins have grown back compleatly including the fin rays. If you looked at my gouramies you would never know.
Good luck and keep us posted. Rose
From: lirunaway 10/09/00
Subject: Melafix (Tea Extract)
That's what I said, Thank You Rose. MelaFix is the only product I feel I can rely on. I also prefer it because it's all natural! Too many chemicals will creat problems, but I don't consider this one to be a chemical (its tea tree extract). My local petshop uses it in all thier tanks. You know how disgusting lps tanks can be! In this shop it must be the only thing keeping them alive. I tested thier water when I bought a fish once, it had a high concentration of ammonia and the fish still seemed happy.
From: Rose 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Melafix (Tea Extract)
It is good but like all medications it shouldn't be over used. Otherwise it becomes useless. Rose
From: lirunaway 10/11/00
Subject: That's true
Preventive maintenance is best.
From: ajoy sodani 10/08/00
Subject: is it overcrowded.
Yesterday i lost a loach and today an angel, both very active,disease free and feeding well.
My tank size is 48x9x25 (LxWxH)inches. It has 2 golden angels(around 4.5 inches each),four silver lace angels, two silver angels, three loaches, 4 discus, 2 silver sharks, 2 black goght knifes, 5 guppies and 5 swardtails. It has one sponge filtera (air-pump driven) and one power (sponge) filter. These fishes were aided slowly over 3 months time. water is hard, Ph>7.5. There is no way to test NH3 etec. (kits not available in India). Is the deaths related to overcroding.
--ajoysodani
From: Nick 10/09/00
Subject: Re: is it overcrowded.
Given the tank dimensions, your tank is around 46 gallons.
From: CT 10/09/00
Subject: Re: is it overcrowded.
I think that's a non-standard sized tank so I don't know how much water it holds. Are you sure you have the proper dimensions listed here?
The Fish FAQ's (http://faq.thekrib.com/intro-tables.html) tables of useful data will give you the standard tank sizes and how to calculate the volume of any sized tank.
Next, check out the (http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-addfish.html#how-many) stocking guidelines for an aquarium.
CT
From: ajoy sodani 10/10/00
Subject: Re: is it overcrowded.
yes dimentions are correct.It is around 49G.
Some of the books ( aquarium for dummies) says
36 inches of fishes would fit. How to measure the floating fishes, if you make a mistake of 1" in large fishes, the end result comes out to totaly unreliable. My wife, myself and my son, independently measured the arpximate fish inches and variation was wide (wild).
--ajoy.
From: Barb 10/08/00
Subject: CT: Cont. of philosophy of treating fish.
I wanted to pull this out of Critty677's thread, as he has a sick fish and it is rude of us to talk there about other issues (Ok, so I'm rude... I know that I started it).
You have been completely clear. I just happen to disagree with how you are conveying your message. By stating that "Under ideal water quality and environmental conditions, your fish will be able to fight off disease." to me, implies that if one does nothing else but ensure these perfect conditions for an otherwise sick, infected fish, then the fish will always get better and live happily ever after. Even under ideal water quality and environmental conditions, a sick fish may not be able to successfully fight off disease and we should help. To wait on identifying and correcting stressors in a sick, infected fish, could mean losing a fish that might have been simultaneously treated with a medication, while one was rectifying those stressors.
The good of treating a person for pneumonia is that they get to live another day, even if it means releasing them back on the streets to live in filth, squalor, with little food and lots of gangbangers who terrorize them all night. I never meant to imply that medication always improves the quality of life, but rather it can improve the quantity and there is a lot to be said for being able to continue to live (spoken with the true ER mentality that I have!).
At this point, we will only really butt heads if you continue to speak to me in bold, italicized text... if you wish to yell at me, go out on your back porch and give it a good bellow and I am sure that I will hear it :)
Barb
From: CT 10/09/00
Subject: For what it's worth...
I used bold italics to highlight a concept that I thought would clarify the point. Shouting is when one types all in caps. I've never shouted or talked less than respectfully or attacked you personally. I would never do that because I like you.
My point is clear and cross referenced so I'm ready to move on. It's ok to disagree and maybe over time as more people on the board begin to apply this reasoning you'll see that it is sound. And I think that's the issue here -- you don't see this as sound reasoning.
I've been through similar situations on this board before. There have been some fairly heated debates about chloramines and a few other topics. That's what makes a BBS a living vital thing -- information flows, people learn & make friends and help one another.
So, let's continue to be friends and agree to disagree. This issue will remain a key part of my posts as I feel it is the single most important concept one can convey.
CT
From: Barb 10/09/00
Subject: Geez CT...
I was just kiddingabout the big bad text... don't go getting all serious on me. I apologize.
This is the last time that I will ever disagree with you (well, at least in this post, hehe)... you are incorrect in your assumption about my thinking, because I find your reasoning incredibly sound and I am glad that you are willing to carry it out. I will however continue to think beyond it, should the need arise.
Your friend who has most definitely moved on,
Barb
From: Keltacer 10/08/00
Subject: Need help with Bala Shark
I recently bought 2 Bala Sharks about a week ago. When I bought them, they looked fine, but one had a small white spot on his mouth. Now after a week, that what appeared to be a harmless spot seems to have spread. His entire jaw is now white, he has blotches of white on his body, and his tail has white speckles in the black area. For the first few days I had him, he wouldnt eat or come out of hiding. He is now eating well, and appears to be healthy. He is a little bit on the skinny side though. The other Bala Shark looks very healthy and beautiful. Does anybody know what his problem might be?
From: Rose 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Need help with Bala Shark
I need a little more info on your Bala and water. what are your water peramiters (ammonia, nitrItes, nitrAtes, pH all that kind of stuff.) I also need to know if you have medicated the tank for ANYTHING since you got them. On to the Bala, does the white look like cotton or something else? As for the white specles do they look like grains of salt or like the rest of him? I need to know this kind of stuff so I can figure out what is going on with your new guy. Let me know and I'll see what I can do. Rose
From: Rose 10/08/00
Subject: Clown loach foods?
I have a question for any of you who have clown loaches. I bought 3 on thursday, have them in a QT. I was wondering what kinds of food other than the frozen blood worms they like. They have had the f blood worms since thursday and I would like to give them something else too. thanks for any ideas. Rose
From: ajoy sodani 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Clown loach foods?
I have three of them, and mainly feed them on sinking food- tetrabits and other. They also relish cooked rice and cornflaks. It is easy to see them eating if aquarium lights are off.
--ajoy.
From: luna 10/08/00
Subject: female bettas
right now i have 3 small females in a 4 gal hex, UG filter. i clean 1/3 of the water out once
a week and clean the gravel once a month. the tank has lots of plants,anacharis mainly.
questions: is this enough space and will it be enough as they get older? i talked to two
betta breeders and they said its OK, but I'd still like another opinion. also, i mildly light the tank (15 watts)
...will even a little light increase the chance of velvet and should I
use aquarium salt as a precaution? i am not interested in breeding, but I made a big mistake
and put my male near the tank and one of the females laid eggs...and terrorized her pal,
she got a tiny bit chewed up, what will make her heal faster? sorry so many questions!
I am still very new at this.
From: Lindsay 10/12/00
Subject: Re: female bettas
If one of the females gets WAY too aggressive with the other females, seperate her, otherwise she will just constantly rip up the other females, otherwise they should be O.K.,
Lindsay
From: kevin 10/09/00
Subject: Re: female bettas
They wont outrow this living space, think about what they live in at the pet store.
From: Lynn 10/08/00
Subject: Re: female bettas
I think your stockage, lighting, maintance schedule are fine. 15 watt is plenty of lighting for a 4 gallon. That's 3.5 watt per gallon so your oK. If you wan't to increase the lighting a little, I don't see any problem in that either. Some Stress coat (I use the aquarium pharm kind) will relive stress and thicken the slime coat so the fish will be less suseptible to disease and it also helps the fish to heal. Female bettas do occasionally have a spat, but not to worry they usually get along just fine. Good Luck!
From: leslie 10/08/00
Subject: glass catfish
I am new to fish and have purchased two of the glass catfish. I have noticed that they now stay in an area where there seems to be alot of eggs. I don't know which of my fish have layed these. None of the other fish I have go near the eggs only the glass catfish. How do I know who's they are and what to do?
Help me please.
Thank You
Leslie
From: Lance 10/09/00
Subject: Re: glass catfish
Um I cant really answer all your questions but I can answer one. The glass catfish seem to be gaurding them so that other fish dont eat them I guess. I know I was not much help. good luck. p.s. hang around. in time your answer will be answered, that's what I like about this board.
From: dee 10/08/00
Subject: Black Mollies
I have just added some Black Mollies to my community tank. The lady at the petshop suggested I put salt in the water but how will this affect my other fish??
I also have Platties, Neon Tetras, Harlequin Tetras, Pepper catfish and a couple of Gourami.
Thanks
Dee
From: Brad 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Black Mollies
My mollies thrive in a community tank, with just the usual tablespoon of salt per five gallons of water. (maybe a wee bit more salt than that). However, most of them were born and raised in my tank, so they've never known any different.
From: Dee 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Black Mollies
Thanks for that Brad......but my tank does not have ANY salt in it. I have just re-set up the tank and filled it with rainwater - my books don't say to add salt to a new tank setup - should it have salt??
From: Brad 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Black Mollies
Almost all fish enjoy a little bit of salt in the water...it reduces stress. One tablespoon per five gallons is what most recommend. Aquarium salt, not table salt...and mix the salt in the new water before adding it into the tank...don't dump raw salt into your aquarium. Anyway, mollies usually like more salt than other fish, but I've split the difference and everyone is happy with it.
From: Dee 10/10/00
Subject: Re: Black Mollies
Thanks again Brad - I will introduce some salt gradually to my tank. So far so good - all 5 Mollies still present and correct - although a couple were playing hide and seek with me this morning!
Dee
From: Tory 10/08/00
Subject: Do I need charcoal?
Hello
I was given one of those 3-step power filters that includes a plastic basket where three different filter media fit. A charcoal baggie, a sponge and something else (I forget what that was). Do I have to use those three items? Do I even need charcoal? I was thinking of just placing 2 or 3 sponges (or maybe a sponge and some floss) in there and leaving it at that.
10 gallons, no gravel, lots of plastic plants and some polished rocks, fancy guppies, no ammonia, algae present on walls and in filter reservoir.
Any advice?
From: kitty fish 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Do I need charcoal?
Nope, I don't use activated carbon in any of my tanks. It's good for removing meds, odors, and discoloration, but if you have none of those, you don't need carbon. It is also said to be associated with Hole-in-the-Head disease and is allegedly bad for planted tanks, but I don't have live plants and am skeptical about the HITH business, so you'll have to get a second opinion on those! Hope this helps!
kitty fish
From: jay 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Do I need charcoal?
huh???? is it true that charcoal causes hole in the head disease????? cuz my swordtails always have it. i have an inbox filter, with floss and charcoal and gravel? where'd u hear of that?
From: kitty fish 10/09/00
Subject: Re: Do I need charcoal?
Carbon doesn't CAUSE HITH, it AGGRAVATES it. HITH is caused by bad water quality and a parasite called Hexamita. Ask at the www.oscarfish.com BBS.
kitty fish
From: CT 10/11/00
Subject: Please tell us how or why GAC aggravates HITH.
You're not going to leave us hanging are you? :-)
CT
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: In most cases you should use activated carbon
Follow the manufacturers instructions for your filter. Start by using the filter as it was designed. You can deviate later if your use of the product becomes specialized somehow.
Here's a link to the (http://faq.thekrib.com/filters.html) filtration information in the Fish FAQ. Go to the section on "Chemical Filtration" for specifics.
CT
From: Rose 10/08/00
Subject: Barb and CT please read
I have another question about the poo from the gourami. I looked at him this morning and he has a nice( I have to be nuts to call a poo nice:) ) poo coming out of his rear. It looks like the white stuff we've been trying to figure out is like a poo wrap. I say this because he has the white mystery stuff then in the middle a solid poo then more of the white mystery stuff. Here's my question does fish poo have some sort of wrap around it( that's the best way to describe it that I can come up with)? Could it be the fishy runs? Let me know what you think. Thanks. Rose
From: Rose 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Barb and CT please read
I think for now I'm just going to continue with the TLC unless he gets worse then I'll do something different. After the clout disaster in my 55 I'm not to keen on medicating my tanks or fish unless absolutly neccessary. Melafix is my treatment of choice when it can be used. Even that I don't use a lot.
I think you both are right in the treatment of our fish. It's easier to get rid of the stresser and let the fishes immune system do it's stuff than to medicate. On the other hand there are times when medicating is necessary.
Thanks for all the help he's doing better today. He came to the top to get some flakes this morning but didn't eat any. I hoping with in the next few days I can get him to eat flakes and some other foods. Till then I think a little TLC will go a long way with him. I'll keep you both posted on how he's doin. Thanks for the help once again it was all very informative and usefull. Thank you. Till the next update keep up the geat job you both do. Rose
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Barb and CT please read
It appears that the fish is recovering so we can assume that the stressors have been addressed. The choices are clear:
1) Feed him medicated food. Why treat an internal problem externally? Tetra makes some medicated food that is fairly easy to find.
2) Continue with TLC and see if it "passes".
Do you think this is bacterial or parasitic in nature? Your guess will be as good as anyone's at this point -- without looking at the droppings under a microscope.
Fish diarrhea is watery and will cause the tank water to turn a brownish tint.
CT
From: Barb 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Barb and CT please read
Rose,
Allow me to butt in and answer and raise some questions for CT... Herr Dokter Untergasser narrows down the diagnosis of white poo to either worms or flagellates (protozoa treated with antibiotics, rather than the usual anti-parasitic meds). The diagnosis is really not that much up in the air, in that Rose should not just say anything that pops into her head and that will be as good as any advice that has been suggested to her so far. Untergasser suggests treating first with Flagyl in the water, not in food, which is counterintuitive to me. Not just any medicated food would work... it must specifically contain Flagyl, as all antibiotics are not created equally. And the white poo could be from worms... in which case Flagyl won't work at all. Why are you suggesting that she treat her fish at this point, who is on the mend?? If we were going to treat with meds, it should have been when he was really sick, not when he's getting better.
I have been thinking that Rose could send me a sample and I could look at it for a more definitive diagnosis, though I'm not sure of the medium in which it should be sent, so as not to destroy the evidence (probably tank water would work). Her gourami's getting better, so do we really need to do anything except rejoice?
Barb
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Barb and CT please read
Offering medicated food was one of two options. The other option was to continue with the TLC approach. It's Rose's call.
CT
From: Barb 10/08/00
Subject: Mystery Poo Wrap...
Rose,
It sounds like his stools are returning to normal... part white and part normal looking. If this continues, before you know it, his stools will look ALL normal. I think that this is a GOOD sign!
Barb
From: ajoy sodani 10/08/00
Subject: name of my fish?
I have a pair Z-black fish, with long ventral fin, running from mouth to tail.Its undulating movement makes the fish swim.Tip of tis tail is white. It flat from side to side and looks exctly like a feather. My fish vendor calls it feather fish. I colud not get any fish listed by this name on net.What the name of this fish?
--ajoy.
From: kitty fish 10/08/00
Subject: Re: name of my fish?
Sounds like a Black Ghost Knife? Go here: http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0390&view_records=View+Records ... There is a description of care and photos at the bottom. Is this your fish?
kitty fish
From: ajoy sodani 10/08/00
Subject: Re: name of my fish?
thanks, it is it.
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: Re: name of my fish?
It will be very difficult to ID your fish without the scientific name -- or a widely used common name.
CT
From: Karen E. 10/08/00
Subject: What to feed the Bumblebee Goby's?
I thought my Green Spotted Puffer and the Bumblebee Goby's could all eat the bloodworms, but it looks like only the Puffer is eating them.
Any suggestions for what we can feed the Goby's? (or are they eating when we're not looking?)
TIA!
From: kitty fish 10/08/00
Subject: Re: What to feed the Bumblebee Goby's?
My Bumblbee Gobies accept nothing but chopped earth worm! Go to a bait shop and buy a little tub of them, I get 24 worms for $2.50 around here. Run the worm under really hot tap water, which will immoblize him for a period of time. Use a knife to stroke the worm from his 'head' (usually the darker, more deeply segmented end) to squeeze out all the excess dirt. Then all you do is chop it into small enough pieces that the Gobies can fit in their mouths. The Puffer will appreciate this food as well. Also remember that Puffs need hard food, like snails or shrimps to wear down their teeth, otherwise his teeth will grow too large, block his mouth, and he will starve. Hope this helps!
kitty fish
From: Michael 10/09/00
Subject: Re: What to feed the Bumblebee Goby's?
I have a small tank with three bumble bee Gobies in, I feed them on Brine shrimp, Daphnia and blood worms. Now and again I give them a very small earthworm or two. I can't bring myself to chop big ones up. They won't eat anything that doesn't move. The reason I keep them in a tank on their own is as when I tried them with other fish they were too slow at finding food, and tended to just look at it whilst some greedy other fish stormed in, scared them off, and they went hungry.
PERHAPS, and I mean perhaps, this is what is happening with the puffer fish.
In the British magazines I read they suggest that puffers are too aggressive to be kept with any small fish. It maybe the Gobies are to shy to come and look for food ???
If you're interested I think the bumblebee's are great fish and yesterday I spotted, for the first time, one of the fish apparantely guarding a small batch of eggs. Unfortunately there was building work next door this morning and the eggs have dissapeared. I guess the noise upset him. It took months for my gobies to settle in. I remember at first they were reluctant to come out of hiding to feed, even when they were in a species tank. Now they come and ask to be fed when I put my head to the glass.
Sorry to go on so much, I'm no expert, but I'm really into my bumblebee's and, in my experience, they are just incredibely shy fish that need time to settle in, and a VERY peacefull tank.
Incedently I only feed them three times a week, else they get too fat.
Sorry this so long kittyfish.
From: Meagan 10/08/00
Subject: Ick... and bottom feeders...
Well, I am still battling the ick in the 55... Hickory, Dickory, and I assume Dok also, have succumb to ick... I "fished" two of their dead bodies out of the tank this morning... 8-( .. I can not locate the third... I must assume it was consumed by the pleco or something.. (shrug) .. I need to add bottom feeders, again! That's what started this whole thing!.. Anyway, is there any bottom feeders that have scales?.. I would very much like to be able to treat for ick with meds I can purchase in this town! Driving 45 minutes one way, every weekend, to buy more meds with no Malachite green in them is becoming a real PAIN!.. This may seem like a very odd question, but it isn't something I have had to consider previous to now... Are Cory Cats scaleless?.. I have two little guys in my ten gallon, but I haven't had ick problems in that tank, so I never thought about it... I am still treating the 55 for ick, so if I purchase new bottom feeders quickly they will get treated also, and I can hopefully be done with this whole ick thing!!
TIA... Meagan
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: Your chance to get off the sick tank treadmill
Please read my post titled < a href="http://www.petfish.net/wwwboard/messages/7801.html) Stress, disease and treatment and follow the links. Purchase the books I've listed if you can.
I doubt that your fish actually succumbed to ich. The stressor(s) that brought on the ich outbreak are probably to blame. First get a handle on your water quality -- what are you water parameters? Next, identify any other stressors in your aquarium.
Don't move new fish into a tank under treatment. Heck, don't move any new fish in at all until you identify the causes of stress. Make plans to somehow quarantine new arrivals.
You have to plan for a healthy tank in order to have a healthy tank. Simply planning to treat diseases as they pop up is ill advised and ineffective.
CT
From: Meagan 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Your chance to get off the sick tank treadmill
LoL CT... you always ask that... I should have offered up the info for you long ago... Ph = 7.2, Ammonia = 0, Nitrites = 0, Nitrates = 30ish?, this may be my problem?... The test kit I have has a color for 20, and then one at 40, the color the stick turns is somewhere between... I use the Jungle Quick Dip tests... Are these bad test kits?... I had read recently that using chemical de-clor products render these kinds of tests useless... Is this true?... I usually do water changes at a rate of 30% every two to three weeks.. until I added the loaches, noticed the ick, and then started the Krib treatment schedule, which was a waste of time... I did more harm than good with the 50% changes, every four days as suggested on that site... I now am treating as Kick suggested... everyday, no water change, and with Aquari-sol, 12 drops to every 10 gallons... the other fish look fine, but I do see them rub, so I know there is still a problem... I have raised the water temp from 76 degrees to about 83, but my 300w heater can't seem to get the temp up any higher than that... I have an airstone going under it to keep the water moving... I have a 100w heater that I could add to the tank if that would do some good....
Well, that is about enough out of me... Lol...
Thanks for the link... Take care....
~~~~~~~~~~Meagan~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Meagan 10/08/00
Subject: Not enough out of me after all... Lol...
I forgot to tell you that I also purchased some Tetra Anti-Parasitic Medicated Flakes... Do you think this is over kill.. so to speak... or do you think it will help?.. I have no idea what the Gh is, I haven't purchased a test kit for that one yet...
Take care, and thanks again....
~~~~~~~~Meagan~~~~~~~~
`
From: CT 10/08/00
Subject: Re: Not enough out of me after all... Lol...
The 30ppm Nitrates may be high for some sensitive species. If the Clowns came from a low Nitrate environment at the LFS this could be pretty stressful. The answer to high nitrates is more frequent water changes and/or some plants to use the nitrates as a food source. The answer to new arrivals being stressed is to set up a QT tank. Be sure to check the water parameters of your LFS -- you may need to take more time acclimating your new arrivals if the water is completely different.
Check for any other stressors and make sure they are addressed. If you're in the middle of ich treatment you'll need to continue. The rubbing may be may be the nitrates, ich or even the ich treatment. Keep a close watch and let us know how it goes.
CT