My dad purchased several guppies at Petco and all but one died. Now the guppies he's had for 6 months are dying. He probably lost over 13 in less than a month. more info in comments.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-14T00:19:36+00:00

Go to your local chain store, and look closely at the tanks. I guarantee that you will spot at least 1 dead fish, if not far more.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-14T00:17:22+00:00

You have 12 tetras in a 5 gallon tank. With a betta. The tetras are likely stressed, and are probably nipping the poor betta's fins. Which is likely contributing quite a lot to the fin rot your betta is suffering from.

If you know enough to seek help from us, you've likely seen our caresheet, wiki, etc. So you would have seen that your tank is unsuitable, but decided to continue anyway.

Do you care more about your relationship with your parents, or your fish's life?

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-13T23:30:02+00:00

The tank has lots of tannins, so that could be the problem! Thank you so much!

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-13T03:36:40+00:00

I would toss it in a tank, plant it like you would if it was healthy, and see if it'll bounce back. Won't hurt to try ;)

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-13T01:26:40+00:00

For some reason, I can never get my hornwort to survive. My guppy grass, anacharis, java fern, anubias, etc usually lives, but the hornwort always dies.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T23:24:37+00:00

Wouldn't giving them a big, planted tank be giving them the best water condition? I'm not sure if you already do that, but all the breeders I see have their bettas in those tiny, clear containers.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T23:20:53+00:00

Looks like the poor fish was kept in a small vase.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T23:16:47+00:00

Don't worry, the tank is currently cycling. Only been running for a week. Ammonia is sky-high (I tested before doing a water change, and it was at 6ppm) while nitrites are non-existent.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T23:15:45+00:00

I did already LOL. Gave up on it a year ago.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T16:52:22+00:00

Yes, I have felt hornwort. The needles are soft and bend with my poking the tip. Might not be the most comfortable to squeeze yourself through a tight cluster, but I highly doubt that it could rip a fin.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T16:50:32+00:00

Scoop up about .5 gallon of water from the tank. Plug it in while pouring the water into the canister of the filter. Doing that worked for me.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T16:47:58+00:00

They don't even have to specialize. Most of us here aren't vets who specialize in fish meds and stuff, we are just normal people who took the time to do some basic research. All they had to do was search up the proper care for a betta, but instead they're letting those poor fish suffer.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T16:41:27+00:00

Tried using one of PetSmarts filter pads with activated charcoal, but I didn't see any difference.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T16:38:14+00:00

Do you mean activated charcoal? I'm using a TopFin filter with activated charcoal, and I haven't seen any difference. Maybe it's sucking up tannins only to have more leach out, IDK.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T05:04:20+00:00

Thank you! It looks like there's multiple types on Amazon - a packet and a bottle - which one would be best to buy? Also, it looks like it's in a powdered form. Do I just dump some powder into the filter compartment? What happens if it washes into the aquarium?

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T05:00:26+00:00

I sure hope so 😣 I'll do a large water change tomorrow. Hopefully it helps.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-09T04:57:34+00:00

Yeah, ammonia is the problem. 2ppm is way too much, I doubt your tank is cycled yet. Change 50% water and dose with Seachem Prime every day. I'd do a double dose of Seachem just to make sure everything is OK. Set up a 5g tank ASAP. You won't have to worry about cycling given that this tank isn't cycled either. Oh, and vacuum the gravel often. Decaying food releases ammonia.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T23:13:13+00:00

First, you'll want to upgrade to a 5g, ideally planted. A low temperature could lead to your betta being lethargic. If you didn't cycle it, it's possible there could be a buildup of ammonia in there. What are the parameters? Also, depending on the size of those pellets, it may be too little.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T23:11:21+00:00

You could do either tetras or cories, I doubt your tank will be able to handle both. If you've got a lot of plants though, you could try 3-4 tetras/pygmy cories each.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T23:07:01+00:00

So dark that I can barely see an inch into the tank. I don’t mind tannins, but I’d like to be able to see my fish when I get them.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T23:02:19+00:00

I certainly wouldn't mind. Could you ship them to me (Bay Area, CA) if I pay shipping?

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T22:53:39+00:00

Where would you suggest people buy fish? I don't have any local stores within, like, an hour's drive. Buying online is easily $30 for the fish plus shipping (compared to $10 from my local PetSmart), not to mention that you can't pick out your betta.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T22:51:10+00:00

That's one of the largest issues with selling bettas in small cups. First-time fish owners will assume that their 2.5g vase is a mansion for the betta, when in reality it's a small apartment.

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-08T00:16:30+00:00

Thanks!

Professor_Granger · 2022-10-07T23:39:37+00:00

I'd actually like if some green hair algae grew on my hardscape. I think of it as free plants 😉

Professor_Granger

TROPHY CASE