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Learn how to safely handle your aquatic life to avoid toxin & bacterial exposure. Find aquatic life care supplies at your neighborhood Petco pet care center.
Updated on January 28th, 2026

Read about Habitattitude and Petco's commitment to protect our environment. At Petco, animals always come first. Learn how you can help.
Updated on January 28th, 2026
Learn how to care for semi-aggressive fish, recommended diet & aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on January 28th, 2026
Learn how to care for freshwater community fish, recommended diet & aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on January 28th, 2026
Tanks with live plants can be excellent additions to your home, bringing a touch of nature indoors. Learn how to take care of aquatic plants.
Updated on January 28th, 2026
Anytime there is an unexpected loss of fish, water chemistry should be checked. Use a home test kit ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/api-freshwater-master-test-kit# ) or submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Confirm an absence ( 0 ppm ) of ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20 ppm. pH can range between 6.5 and 8, water temp should be 65 F to 75 F. If chemistry and water quality are within normal parameters, then illness or aggression would be other reasons for the loss. It is always recommended to quarantine fish in a separate tank for 2-4 weeks prior to adding them to the main tank. During this time, they can be treating for infection or parasites. I am sorry for the loss of your fish.
Updated on November 25th, 2025
It is possible the tank has not cycled properly which results in high ammonia and nitrite levels which can kill fish. Allow the tank to run, without fish, for at least 4-6 weeks. During this time, use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing every few days. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. What you are looking for is to have ammonia and nitrites at 0 ppm and nitrates at 20ppm or less. pH can hover around 7 for most community fish. Avoid large, rapid swings in pH though. What is happening in the tank during this time is that beneficial bacteria are populating the gravel/substrate and the filter. These bacterial populations are responsible for the Nitrogen Cycle. This cycle breaks down wastes from fish, uneaten food and plant matter into by-products that are filtered out or dissipate. You can "cycle" a tank with fish, however this increases the risk of loss. Once your tank has cycled, you can add fish. You will still need to monitor water chemistry a
Updated on November 25th, 2025
Check the water chemistry first. Use a home test kit or submit a sample of water for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee for. High ammonia or nitrite levels can be toxic to fish. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20ppm or less. Perform a partial water change, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Check the water temperature as well, confirming it is appropriate for your species of fish.
Updated on November 25th, 2025
I would recommend to have the water completely changed. New water should be ideally submitted for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for that as well. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on November 25th, 2025
The experts here on the forum at Boop by Petco do not work at Petco stores and I don't think anyone would have knowledge of inventory at local stores. I cannot find this particular product on the Petco website. It's possible that it's available at your local store and you could try giving them a call. There are a number of other fatty acid supplements listed on the Petco website that may or may not be available in your local store: https://www.petco.com/shop/SearchDisplay?searchTermScope=&searchType=12&filterTerm=&maxPrice=&top_category=&showResultsPage=true&langId=-1&beginIndex=0&advancedSearch=&sType=SimpleSearch&metaData=%5BLjava.lang.String%3B%4065f965f9&pageSize=24&manufacturer=&resultCatEntryType=2&catalogId=10051&pageView=grid&searchTerm=fatty+acid&minPrice=&urlLangId=-1&categoryId=10056&storeId=10151
Updated on November 25th, 2025