Petco Freshwater Fish Tetras | Petco

Related Articles & Questions

Vet Q & A
How to save my sick freshwater fish after an ammonia spike?
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 the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
My tank is cloudy and fish died. When can I add an Oscar?
If you put an Oscar in with your Tetras, they will be harassed and eventually eaten. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing to check chemistry. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20ppm or less. It can be slightly higher if you have live plants. If there is still ammonia present, the tank is still cycling. The cloudiness may be micro-bubbles which will eventually resolve or it could be a bacterial bloom which will also resolve once the tank has cycled.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my platy fish losing scales? Is it Ich or tank issues?
It doesn't look like Ich in the images provided. Ich will appear as multiple white dots the size of salt grains on the fish. The fish will "flash" or dart about the tank and rub on objects due to itching. The fish may have an infection or the loss of scales may be due to trauma from other fish. Consider separating the affected fish into a separate tank to recover. If this is not possible, maintain pristine water quality in the main tank and consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. You are likely at the maximum number of fish in the tank. As they grow, they shouldn't get bigger than 2 - 2.5 inches, and reach adulthood you may need a larger tank or you may need to separate them.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
What's wrong with my fish? White spots, raised scales, swimming low.
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Ariel does look like she has a little bit of white on her abdomen, and potentially some raised scales. She also appears to be swimming towards the bottom of the tank, but this may just be a coincidence in the photo. The white on the abdomen can be caused by a fungal or parasitic infection, so I recommend separating this fish from the others. You may want to change the water and sanitize the tank if any other fish start to get similar symptoms. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
My new discus fish has white spots but is acting normal. Is it ich?
It is difficult to determine since the image is not clear. Fish are very hard to photograph! If it does, then it is very early infection. Ideally, new fish should be quarantined for at least 2 week sin a separate tank to confirm good health prior to introducing them into the main tank. Monitor for worsening symptoms. If necessary, you can purchase an ich treatment and treat the tank. Look in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025