How Long In Breeding Trap?

[theotheragentm]

What are your water stats? When was the last time you did a water change? Fish dying is never a good sign.

What size is the tank and what is in it as far as fish and decorations go? Shells are not good for decoration as they slowly leech into the water and raise pH. Unless you have Cichlids, I wouldn't be using shells for decoration.

Are you sure the missing Guppy didn't make a leap out of the tank? Fish can jump out of tiny holes in the tank pretty easily. It's quite common. Take a look around the tank just in case. Unless you have predatory fish, the Guppy was not eaten while alive. It died of something else and then was an opportune snack for one of the fish most likely. If you have a Pleco in the tank, the other Guppy may not have been crushed by the shell but instead ended up there after dying as Plecos kick up a lot of substrate pretty easily.

What kind of plants are you trying to keep? What kind of lighting is in the tank? Live plants are a whole other story, requiring lighting, CO2, and various fertizliers and minerals. Depending on the plants you have, it's a whole other mess to deal with on top of the fish.

 

[ptyson21]

I have already talked to peopleon this forum about my plants, trying to sort it out at the mo, you will find it at http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=185321&hl= .
My parents bought me the shells from africa, I washed them and they have been there for a while now. I was already having problems with the plants before that anyway. I just keep random plants, dont really know any names. Have now got some java moss but dont think that is gonna grow.
The fish hasnt jumped out but my best bet is that it has died and then other fish have eaten it. A danio has died on me too so that makes 3 fish in the last month, its the first fish that have died in a long time. Dunno whats up? Gonna have to test my water.

 

[theotheragentm]

Shells are biological material and grow along with the animals they house most of the time. That means they are made of things that can degrade over time and leech into the water. They're a problem for fish and for plants.

Half of the Java Moss normally dies when you get it, but that is one of the most hardy aquatic plants, needed very low light and not much care. If that's not growing, something is wrong with your tank. It's like a weed normally.

Where did you get your plants? It sounds like you may have some non aquatic plants in your tank, which is why they are rotting away. The plants they sell at PetCo and PetSmart and possibly some other chain stores are not always aquatic, even though they call them "aquarium plants." That's going to raise your bioload and cause problems for your fish. If you don't do much plant maintenance and care, Amazon Swords, Java Moss, and Java Fern are the easiest ones to care for in a tank. I read your plant post and I see you upgraded your lighting. You should still verify you do have actual aquatic plants as non aquatic plants will rot no matter what, even with increased lighting and fertilizers.

 

[ptyson21]

Cool cool mate your advice is greatly appreciated. My clown loaches seem to like the shells as the can hide in them. I have a plant that is wasting away in my tank, should I just remove it coz that may be causing problems in my tank you think? Some of the leaves have gone brown and most of them are shredding and have holes in them.Will my new air curtain effect the tank in any way? its the first time I have used an air pump. Cheers

 

[theotheragentm]

If the plant is that far gone, I would remove it as a lost cause. An air bubbler should have no effect on the tank. It may allow more O2 and CO2 to dissolve in the tank if anything. For the shells, measure the pH of your tapwater after it sits out in a cup for a while and measure the pH of your tank. If you're noticing differences, you may need to remove the shells.

 

[ptyson21]

I usually measure my pH every week or so, usually along with the water change. It sits around 6.8/7. So that should be fine but I will keep measuring it as you say that the shells may effect it. S for my plants im just gonne have to buy more hardy ones that people recommend to me. Im gonna have to keep monitoring my tank for the next few weeks as im a bit paranoid there is somethin wrong as some fish have been dying! Cheers

 

[theotheragentm]

Just a note, when doing measurements on your tank, you want to let things settle for a few hours. Sometimes you'll get incorrect measurements if you've just changed out the water and things aren't all settled. Giving it time lets the readings to be a more accurate average of your tank.

 

[kpintheshed]

has ur female gave birth yet?

 

[ptyson21]

has ur female gave birth yet?

Not that I know of mate. She had two fry a few days ago but thats all I know, will keep an eye on her belly n see if it turns more black in the next couple of weeks.

 

[theotheragentm]

If you've seen two fry a couple days ago, she is probably done giving birth and that is all the survivors. No worries, though. You'll have another go at it in a month.

 

[ptyson21]

Yeah I will do but Im gonna have to go out n buy a couple more males for her. Cheers lads

 

[ptyson21]

Well after losing numerous fish due to a couple of fish festering in a shell my female couldn't have delivered at a better time. I was looking in my tank the other day and there were two healthy lookin fry swimming about, they are about a cm in length but still real small, so fingers crossed that they dont get eaten by my pleco. Seems that my tank is comin back to life now that I sorted out that wee problem of them all dyin!!

 

[ptyson21]

Make that four fry, nice!!