Fish Problems

[jsummitt]

i just got a 30 gallon tank. this is what i have in it.


5 guppies all male
7 neon tetras (used to have 10, 2 days ago)
5 serpae tetras
2 algae eaters

1 catfish ( unsure of breed)

i started out with 3 serpae's, 5 neons and 1 catfish.

my wife bought the others 2 day's after we got the originals.

noticed that guppies were missing, no signs of them floating around.

i figured the catfish got them.

now that they all are together, i notice that one of the guppies tail-fin is almost completely gone along with the tail-fin of a neon.

the serpae's look like they got nipped at some too.

my question is what is biting the tails off and what is swallowing my neons?

we got the catfish out to see if that was it. not sure yet.


any thoughts?

 

[stang1]

Have you got a picture of the catfish? Someone may be able to help identify it.

 

[Christine1014]

Your algae eaters could be the culprets... do you know what kind they are? Chinese Algae Eaters will eat other fish.... lots of fish stores will sell them not realizing that they grow way too big for your tank and would eventually rather eat your fish than the algae....

 

[Christine1014]

Sorry - it hit "add reply" a little too quickly. One more thought.
Did you cycle the tank before adding fish? If not, that can make the fish more prone to things like fin rot, ick, etc... and any fish that do fall victim to any sort of illness (Neons don't usually hold up under the poor water conditions of a cycling tank) could get quickly eaten by your algae eaters or catfish.

 

[jsummitt]

Sorry - it hit "add reply" a little too quickly. One more thought.
Did you cycle the tank before adding fish? If not, that can make the fish more prone to things like fin rot, ick, etc... and any fish that do fall victim to any sort of illness (Neons don't usually hold up under the poor water conditions of a cycling tank) could get quickly eaten by your algae eaters or catfish.

what should i replace the chinese algae eaters with?


the chinese algae eaters are small about an inch and a half long. they were in with guppies when we bought them. the people told us that they aren't aggressive. gues that's what i get for going to petco.


as for cycling the tank. are you talking about running it with no fish for a day or two? if so then yes i did that.

 

[Christine1014]

Cycling the tank -- a day or two isn't long enough for the tank to cycle. For some really great explanations of what should be done, click on the pinned topics at the top of the beginner section. Long story very short: fish produce ammonia. NitrItes develop that "eat" the ammonia. NitrAtes develope that "eat" the nitrites. Through all of this, your levels will fluctuate wildly. I'd say the first thing you need to do is get a test kit (one of the liquid drop ones; they're more expensive than the test strips, but they're way more accurate). Then decide if you want to cycle with or without fish. Without fish is faster, easier, and and much more humane. If you cycle with fish, they won't be happy fish - if they survive. (Speaking from experience here... everyone on this forum was wonderful after the pet store told me go ahead and put all my fish in right away, with no mention of cycling!)

Algae eaters -- you probably don't even need them. Regular water changes, proper lighting, and proper tank cleaning should keep things from getting too out of control. If you really want some though, I'm sure there are some that aren't as aggressive as Chinese Algae Eaters (give me a minute... I'll try to find a pic of one for you).

Hope that helps!!!

 

[Christine1014]

jsummitt - Here are some links to Chinese Algae Eaters. Is this what you've got?

http/photoclipartisland.com/photos/ac0271.gif

http/a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/2003...rge/p_89620.jpg


http/www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/asian...ater/100056.asp

If this is what you have, I'd see if you can take them back to the pet store. Even if one of the big chain stores where you bought it won't take them back, maybe there's a locally owned fish shop near you that will take pity on you and find him a new home.