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- Health & Wellbeing
Two of our freshwater fish are acting oddly in the water. We did lose a few last night, due to an ammonia spike. We noticed some pale-colored, wormlike flesh dropping from the front area (between the mouth and front fins); this black Guppy is “wobb
Monitor water chemistry using a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Pristine water quality is the foundation for healing and recovery from infection or injury in fish. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 14 days then reassess the condition. An "all in one" product, such as Lifeguard (by Tetra), can be used concurrently to treat infection or parasites. Find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
We change the water in the tank and fed the fish the fish ate and now it is floating upside down but still breathing what is wrong?
ECheck the water chemistry. The recent water change may have upset it. Use a liquid home test kit or submit a sample for testing to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a 40ppm or less nitrate level. Confirm proper temperature for the species of fish as well. If necessary, another partial water change can be done to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. My preferences for conditioners include AmQuel Plus, NovAqua and StressCoat. Other options include StressZyme and Prime. To manage swim bladder issues, withhold food for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas. Do this until the fish is swimming and defecating normally. Fast one day a week to maintain regularity.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
Hey! Just got a beta fish and he is swimming fine... but after I fed him, he seemed to “hyperventilate”! But then again, he’s swimming fine. Is this okay? He’ll also swim really fast at some points. Is he just nervous?
Monitor for redness, white spots or fuzzy growths on him. The swimming fast may be "flashing", which a fish with an infection will do to "scratch an itch". Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and partial water changes. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock when performing water changes. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Monitor water chemistry to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 320 ppm or less. If you don't have a home test kit, most pet stores will test water for free or for a small fee.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
Two of the fish fins are clamping down close to their body. I did 75% water change and hopefully they will get better. I do not have the water testing kit. Will buy soon. Is there any ways to get them better? I could see some of their scales are off.
Goldfish need powerful filtration. Your filter should be rated for at least twice the tank volume. Once you get a test kit, check the chemistry. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at about 40ppm. Use a kit that has liquid reagents, not strips. The liquid kit is more accurate. The pH should range between 7.2-7.6. Being cold water fish, goldfish thrive between 65F and 72F. You can dissolve 1 teaspoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) per gallon of water to use as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition of your fish. When performing partial water changes, treat only the volume of water being replaced not the entire tank volume. Change no more than 30% of the volume at a time. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
I dont know if you are a tropical fish specialist. But there is something going on in my tank and need help diagnosing it. My corydora has two raised growths ..one at the base of its fin. And one under the eye. My pleco seems a bit tattered too. A li
Thanks for reaching out about your aquarium and including photos. Did you test your water quality prior to the water change? Continue to test for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Pristine water quality is needed for health. Are any of the fish new, that could have introduced parasites? Itching/flashing can be due to water quality, external parasites, bacterial or viral infections and other causes. The white lesions on the photo could be fungal infections. A skin scrape and examination under the microscope (at a veterinarian's office) is needed for an attempt to determine a cause. Fungal infections are often secondary problems, so check water quality first. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
