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Related Articles & Questions
- New Pet
Advanced Boxfish & Cowfish Care: Ultimate Tank Setup, Food, & Safety
Learn how to care for Boxfish & Cowfish, recommended diet and aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
- New Pet
Master Small Marine Fish Care: Tank Setup, Food, & Compatibility Guide
Small Marine Fish are favorites with marine aquarists and includes a wide range of species.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
- New Pet
Your Ultimate Tang & Surgeonfish Guide: Tank, Food & Habitat
Learn how to care for a tang fish, recommended diet and aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
- New Pet
Aquatic Pet Safety: Keep Your Home Aquarium Pets Healthy & Safe
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 November 13th, 2025
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Advanced Mandarin Goby Care: Tank Setup, Diet, & Water Quality
Learn how to take care of Mandarin Gobies, recommended diet and tank size. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
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- Health & Wellbeing
So I have been thinking about getting a new caged animal, but am not sure what to get. I am hoping for a fairly easy animal to care for (AROUND the same "hardness level" as care for a Crested gecko), and one that doesn't need tons of (tank or cage) s
The Cowfish, or Longhorned Boxfish, is a marine species that should be kept only by experienced aquarists. When stressed, they can release toxins into the water which may harm tank mates. Pacman frogs, leopard geckos, corn snakes or bearded dragons are all easy to keep.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
Are these Molly's a female dalmation & a male silver assorted male?
Hello, my name is Dr. Shines and I am happy to help. There's only one photo of the Dalmatian Molly and it looks female but it's blurry. Here's a link with a photo showing a male vs female live bearer (which include mollies, platies and guppies) https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/sexing-livebearers-with-pictures.169520/ I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out any time.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
My fish is acting sick. He is not really eating and he keeps going to the surface to breathe . He is also getting these little what looks like panic attacks and swims very fast and even hits his head constantly on the edges of his tank. I started to
Check water chemistry first. Use 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 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes, no more than 30% at a time, to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Check water temp as well. Any of these can drive a fish to the surface. The "flashing" (darting about) can be due to infection (bacterial, fungal or parasites). Consider a broad spectrum antibiotic or an "all in one" product to treat multiple infections. Look in the Aquarium section of the local Petco for options. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
I have a few problems in my cichlids tank currently. 1. There are these tiny white gnat like flying bugs coming out of the water? 2. Brown algae on the glass won’t go away! But I have snails and an eel so I don’t know what to use that won’t kill the
Those could be copepods. They are typically harmless and difficult to completely eradicate. On the good side, they are a sign of a healthy tank and are useful in eating decaying matter in the aquarium. The brown algae can be due to insufficient lighting or lighting periods. You can wipe down the glass and plants, perform a partial water change and increase lighting. It can take weeks to month to resolve. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Confirm stable water chemistry and quality. Make sure the water temperature is correct as well. Too warm or too cold can cause stress. Look the Jack Dempsey over for signs of injury or infection. Ich, bacterial infection or fungal infection can cause the fish too twitch or shiver. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or Epsom salt) dissolved at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water is a great general tonic that can reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in any recover
Updated on August 12th, 2025
- Health & Wellbeing
My white halfmoon betta has.3 small red dots on his head? He may have ran into a piece of spiderwood in his tank or it might be a parasite. Is he alright?
Thanks for reaching out about Kartoffel. A picture might help with ideas, but red dots could be a contusion but also an irritation, infection or parasitic infestation. A veterinary visit would be required to assess further. Maintain good water quality by measuring pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct any problems. If more lesion occur, a veterinary visit is more pressing. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
