Can I be killing my fish with kindness?

[cat-fish]

Maybe I’m the cause of my fish dying? I currently have a 10 gal. Tank with 4 mickey mouse platties (2f, 2m), 2 f guppies and a catfish. Could I have been over feeding my fish? Can fish “eat them selves to death”? I was feeding my fish twice daily about 12 hours apart, they get a pinch (between the index finger and thumb) of flakes each time. Every time I fed them they acted like a band of piranhas. Now I'm only feeding them once a day, will that starve them or worse turn them more cannibalistic?

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

I don't think you can kill them with too much kindness. Twice a day feeding doesn't sound too bad by the amount you're giving.

As long as you're checking the water quality, and doing regularly water checks you should be okay.

Also, get to know your fish and their bodies, it'll be easier to identify parasites, infections, and stress.

Good luck!

 

[cat-fish]

I guess that I should pick a water test kit from the local pet store. What are the numbers that I should look for when I test the aquarium water? The drinking water in my area is pretty hard. Should I fill my tank with bottled spring water or would it be better to just treat the local water. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Most testing kits should have instructions/details on the right levels you should look for. What you need is an all-in-one testing kit identifying Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, PH, KH, and GH. Ask one of the LFS staff to recommend a good one that is within your cash limit.

As for the type of tap water in your area, don't use it directly in your tank because it can contain harsh chemicals and additives that will harm your fish (chlorine, chloramine, lead etc).

I think its fairly safe to use mineral water, but that would probably cost you 'an arm and a leg', especially if your tanks' big. Some have used Brita filtered water, others use treated tap water, Reverse Osmosis (RO) water, and I have even heard of people using rain water.

Also, make sure you do regular water changes....at least once a week at 15-20%.

 

[Sasha]

I used to overfeed my fish when I was younger, so now I feed them 3 times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

 

[GuppyDude]

they 7 can eat until the explode, but ur not over feeding them so thats not the problem

 

[balloon molly]

as long as ur water parims are ok then ur not overfeeding them
usually fish feed like that in the wild and they are constantly looking for fod that keeps them healthy

 

[FishKing13]

You are definitely not over feeding your fish. Maybe your fish are dying because of something else. Make sure you get a water testing kit and make sure your water is fine. I just got one a couple days ago. Also make sure that the temperature in your tank is fine . Good luck with your fish.

 

[dthoffsett]

I guess that I should pick a water test kit from the local pet store. What are the numbers that I should look for when I test the aquarium water? The drinking water in my area is pretty hard. Should I fill my tank with bottled spring water or would it be better to just treat the local water. Thanks so much for your help.

Hard water isn't necessarily a bad thing, it will help you PH to stay stable. I'd just use your tap water and remember to dechlorinate it.

You'll want to get a liquid test kit, they last longer and are more accurate than the strip tests. The two most important levels for your tank are ammonia and nitrite, and they both should always be 0. Nitrate isn't as important, and most test kits aren't that accurate, so unless you are getting readings of over 100ppm, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[kribensis12]

dthoffsett: I really respect your advice and think your a wonderful fish keeper, but 100ppm is WAY TO HIGH. Livebearers arent as hardy as africans. I would worry if it is over 40-50 ppm. The less is better.

 

[dthoffsett]

dthoffsett: I really respect your advice and think your a wonderful fish keeper, but 100ppm is WAY TO HIGH. Livebearers arent as hardy as africans. I would worry if it is over 40-50 ppm. The less is better.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on that. You might check out this thread for some interesting views on nitrates. There's even a link on the second page for a paper written on the subject.
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/228229/I-Apologize/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/228229/I-Apologize/[/URL]

 

[kribensis12]

Hmm, interesting, but my vieew dont change. Mine are based on research and experience. But as i stated, it depends on the type of fish, and if you are really caring for you fish, you wan tit in a safe enviroment, and 100ppm isnt a safe inviroment.