Help!
- Thread starter MtbGirl
- Start date
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Nope, the fish just hang out as they normally do, this one didn't even look sick before I noticed it stuck to the filter. He still doesn't look sick, except for the not swimming around, obviously.
Not to be a pain in the arse about this, but if we've been doing weekly water changes since July and all has been well until now, why start changing the water more frequently?? I'm just curious.
Also, if we do get rid of the CAE, should we get another algae eater, maybe a shrimp?? Or just leave it to frequent water changes??
starrynightxxi
Fish Herder
just to be safe 
if you're okay right now, that's great, but in an overstocked tank, when something goes wrong it can go downhill fast.
Although I would say something may still be wrong with this fish (a healthy fish shouldn't get stuck to a filter intake) if he looks alright in other aspects, and he looked alright before, it's possible that he may just be stressed from being stuck. Keep an eye on him though in case he begins to show further signs of illness.
i would say skip the new algae eater as it is unecessary. They don't really clean tanks. As long as you aren't overfeeding there's no reason to have a "clean up crew" as everything they eat still has to come out. you also haven't really got enough room for any more fish even once you've gotten rid of the CAE. most bottom feeders get too big or need to be in groups, and regardless they should be treated as pets and fed specifically, not just expected to clean up what is left behind (though they will, and with gusto
).
when you CAN manage a bigger tank, if you want some bottom feeders, look into some of the smaller corydoras catfish. They want to be in shoals but are very amusing fish and still relatively low-waste as compared to plecos (plecostomus) which are high waste and can get very big (as in 12+ inches depending on the species).Shrimp are very good low-waste critters and if this is your son's tank he will probably love them. They are rather bug-like. For now though I'd say let things be. Research the fish you've got so you can provide them the best possible life. They will thank you by living much longer and making you want more and larger tanks. And good luck fighting multiple tank syndrome (MTS) once it kicks in. There is no cure 
if you're okay right now, that's great, but in an overstocked tank, when something goes wrong it can go downhill fast.Although I would say something may still be wrong with this fish (a healthy fish shouldn't get stuck to a filter intake) if he looks alright in other aspects, and he looked alright before, it's possible that he may just be stressed from being stuck. Keep an eye on him though in case he begins to show further signs of illness.
i would say skip the new algae eater as it is unecessary. They don't really clean tanks. As long as you aren't overfeeding there's no reason to have a "clean up crew" as everything they eat still has to come out. you also haven't really got enough room for any more fish even once you've gotten rid of the CAE. most bottom feeders get too big or need to be in groups, and regardless they should be treated as pets and fed specifically, not just expected to clean up what is left behind (though they will, and with gusto
).when you CAN manage a bigger tank, if you want some bottom feeders, look into some of the smaller corydoras catfish. They want to be in shoals but are very amusing fish and still relatively low-waste as compared to plecos (plecostomus) which are high waste and can get very big (as in 12+ inches depending on the species).Shrimp are very good low-waste critters and if this is your son's tank he will probably love them. They are rather bug-like
. For now though I'd say let things be. Research the fish you've got so you can provide them the best possible life. They will thank you by living much longer and making you want more and larger tanks. And good luck fighting multiple tank syndrome (MTS) once it kicks in. There is no cure
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Thanks... last I checked he was just laying on the bottom of the new tank, upside down. I wanted so much to right him, but didn't know if I should bother him. If he is stressed or ill, I don't want to make things worse.
I'm still going to try doing a full water change tonight and change the gravel, see if that helps. It couldn't hurt, I suppose.
My son does like the shrimp... not sure how he'll feel about giving up Herbie... but if it means saving all of his other fish he'll probably understand. He also knew that someday we might have to give up Herbie, in the interest of protecting or saving the other fish.
I'm still going to try doing a full water change tonight and change the gravel, see if that helps. It couldn't hurt, I suppose.
My son does like the shrimp... not sure how he'll feel about giving up Herbie... but if it means saving all of his other fish he'll probably understand. He also knew that someday we might have to give up Herbie, in the interest of protecting or saving the other fish.
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Well I did a full water change and cleaned the gravel rather than change it. The little black neon has died, just a few minutes ago.
My son doesn't want to give up Herbie, we're considering putting him in the little tank (1.5 gallons) we bought for the fish who get sick. Maybe that will at least help us see if he is part of the problem in the bigger tank.
Out of curiousity, how many tetras would be good for the 7-gallon tank??
My son doesn't want to give up Herbie, we're considering putting him in the little tank (1.5 gallons) we bought for the fish who get sick. Maybe that will at least help us see if he is part of the problem in the bigger tank.
Out of curiousity, how many tetras would be good for the 7-gallon tank??
starrynightxxi
Fish Herder
well, none really if one considers their activity levels, but disregarding that, the inch-per-gallon guideline* would say you could fit seven small tetras (no bigger than an inch when full grown) such as (regular, not black) neons. you really should keep schooling species such as tetras in shoals of 6+. Obviously i wouldn't really recommend it, but if you had to keep tetras in the tank, i'd say 3 might be okay. seven gallons may be nice for a relatively small, inactive species, but tetras like to zoom all over and there's not much zooming to be done in small tanks.
Again though, it would really depend on the type of tetra. You would have to do some research as some, like neons, stay pretty small, but others get big (congo tetras, to name one type)
* the inch-per-gallon guideline is just that, a guideline. It has many faults and only works for small-bodied adult fish like tetras and smaller livebearers, but it is a good place to start for those new to fish-keeping.
Just thought I'd let you know that you have:
3 cardinals @ 2in - 6in
3 black neons @ 1.75 - 5.25 in
4 glowlight tetras @ 2in - 8 in
1 CAE @ 8 in - 8 in
for a total of 27.25 inches of fish an a seven gallon tank.
Again though, it would really depend on the type of tetra. You would have to do some research as some, like neons, stay pretty small, but others get big (congo tetras, to name one type)
* the inch-per-gallon guideline is just that, a guideline. It has many faults and only works for small-bodied adult fish like tetras and smaller livebearers, but it is a good place to start for those new to fish-keeping.
Just thought I'd let you know that you have:
3 cardinals @ 2in - 6in
3 black neons @ 1.75 - 5.25 in
4 glowlight tetras @ 2in - 8 in
1 CAE @ 8 in - 8 in
for a total of 27.25 inches of fish an a seven gallon tank.
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Wow. 
We have noticed them zooming about the tank, sometimes chasing each other. At least now we're more educated, so when it comes time to upgrade the tank or possibly replace the fish, we'll make better choices.
I'm hoping they at least last until we're ready to upgrade the tank next year, when we're thinking of moving into a bigger place. Otherwise, if they should all die (fingers crossed) then I have considered getting African dwarf frogs, he had one initially and it died relatively quickly... probably because of all the fish in the tank.
If we went that route, how many frogs would be good for the tank... assuming the CAE lives in there too.
We have noticed them zooming about the tank, sometimes chasing each other. At least now we're more educated, so when it comes time to upgrade the tank or possibly replace the fish, we'll make better choices.
I'm hoping they at least last until we're ready to upgrade the tank next year, when we're thinking of moving into a bigger place. Otherwise, if they should all die (fingers crossed) then I have considered getting African dwarf frogs, he had one initially and it died relatively quickly... probably because of all the fish in the tank.
If we went that route, how many frogs would be good for the tank... assuming the CAE lives in there too.
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Went home for lunch, we have the dead fish in a little container. We're going to bury him tonight, my son refuses to flush him. (undertandable) Then we'll clean out the tank for the CAE.
The dead fish is floating upside down, very pale and his stomach is reddish. I don't know if this is because he's dead or because he was actually sick. I tried to take pictures, they didn't come out so well but maybe I'll post them up later.
So far the other fish seem okay, but this one seemed okay too.
The dead fish is floating upside down, very pale and his stomach is reddish. I don't know if this is because he's dead or because he was actually sick. I tried to take pictures, they didn't come out so well but maybe I'll post them up later.
So far the other fish seem okay, but this one seemed okay too.
starrynightxxi
Fish Herder
ah, here, i finally found the profile on the CAE
Chinese Algae Eater - Profile
minimum is twenty gallons on them due to their size, territorial needs, tendency towards eating tankmates, and I imagine their inflexibility (width of a tank should be at least twice as long as the adult size of a fish so that it can turn around easily). I understand that your son is attached to this fish, but he, most of all, simply can't stay in this tank. He WILL die if for no other reason than he is going to become stunted which will affect his health and shorten his lifespan.
If kept with ADFs you will eventually have no ADFs left (or at the verybest, eyeless ADFs)
However, you can keep some ADFs in this tank. they are small enough that you could probably keep three in this tank pretty safely, or maybe one and a little horde of shrimp. fish that could be in this tank, 1 betta, or maybe five male endler's livebearers, either of which should* be fine with ADFs or shrimp.
A nice set up for the tank might be 5 male endlers (females are larger, less colorful, and will result in tons of babies you haven't got room for), 1 ADF, and maybe three ghost shrimp.
*bettas occasionally take offense to having roomates, but the endlers won't care at all.
Chinese Algae Eater - Profile
minimum is twenty gallons on them due to their size, territorial needs, tendency towards eating tankmates, and I imagine their inflexibility (width of a tank should be at least twice as long as the adult size of a fish so that it can turn around easily). I understand that your son is attached to this fish, but he, most of all, simply can't stay in this tank. He WILL die if for no other reason than he is going to become stunted which will affect his health and shorten his lifespan.
If kept with ADFs you will eventually have no ADFs left (or at the verybest, eyeless ADFs)
However, you can keep some ADFs in this tank. they are small enough that you could probably keep three in this tank pretty safely, or maybe one and a little horde of shrimp. fish that could be in this tank, 1 betta, or maybe five male endler's livebearers, either of which should* be fine with ADFs or shrimp.
A nice set up for the tank might be 5 male endlers (females are larger, less colorful, and will result in tons of babies you haven't got room for
), 1 ADF, and maybe three ghost shrimp. *bettas occasionally take offense to having roomates, but the endlers won't care at all.
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
We'll talk to him tomorrow, maybe if we explain that Herbie will get sick in the small tank he'll be more apt to give him up. We all knew this day might come eventually, it's just hard. Of course, my husband & I would rather give up one fish for the safety of the others!!
Thanks for the tips on restocking the tank. Once all the fish have died we'll be able to consider it. (I should bookmark this page) Right now I know for a fact my son will not give up his tetras, and I don't think the LFS will take them knowing we had two die from illness (not that I blame them).
Thanks for your help, Starry. So far everyone else looks good, but right now I'm not optimistic because the last one looked healthy as well!! He is now buried in the yard alongside the other one. RIP
Of course, my husband & I would rather give up one fish for the safety of the others!!Thanks for the tips on restocking the tank. Once all the fish have died we'll be able to consider it. (I should bookmark this page) Right now I know for a fact my son will not give up his tetras, and I don't think the LFS will take them knowing we had two die from illness (not that I blame them).
Thanks for your help, Starry. So far everyone else looks good, but right now I'm not optimistic because the last one looked healthy as well!! He is now buried in the yard alongside the other one. RIP
starrynightxxi
Fish Herder
Hopefully these guys will make it until you can get a nice tank for them. It's a shame pet shops are allowed to give ou such horrendous advise. just remember to keep up on your water testing and changes. test once a week or so to make sure things are going well, and be on the lookout for any signs of illness because as you can see in a tank this overstocked things can spread fast.
you may want to consider running a course of antibiotics that will treat internal bacteria on the tank as it is, though, and hopefully between that and keeping an eye on your water you won't have any more losses.
Good luck
you may want to consider running a course of antibiotics that will treat internal bacteria on the tank as it is, though, and hopefully between that and keeping an eye on your water you won't have any more losses.
Good luck
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Thanks Starry. I'm going to try one of the meds Wilder suggested. Would it hurt the remaining fish, though, if they are healthy??
OP
OP
MtbGirl
Fish Fanatic
Yep, that's why we bought the smaller tank (1.77 gallons) and we put the sick ones in there before they died. We have one of those air bubble wands in the regular tank, how do we increase the aeration??
Also... is a bubble wand needed in the smaller tank??
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
305 -
180 -
160 -
154 -
127 -
125
-
96 -
90 -
84 -
84 -
82 -
63 -
57 -
55 -
44