hermit23
New Member
Hi there,
I'm relatively new to tropical fish keeping, although kept cold water for a few years. Acquired 2ftx1ftx18inch tank, which came complete with substrate, mature filter etc, in March.
Began the slow process of adding fish gradually, with advice from local aquatics shop. Everything was fine until we bought the male betta (so beautiful!) to add as the crowning glory of our community tank. The other occupants were as follows; 2x male Gouramis, 5x male red platys, 5x male phantom tetras, 4x male guppies, 1x freshwater crab (practically invisible, lives in ornament).
Straight away the betta was very aggressive toward the other fish, constantly displaying, chasing and, as it turns out, nipping. Guppies fins were in shreds and one by one, our fish started dying, quickly disposed of by the crab.
We were advised to provide betta with floating plant cover, etc, but nothing worked and eventually we returned him to the shop. However, now our fish are still disappearing! They seem to be in good health, no white spot or anything, they are happy and active, no listless floating, but they keep vanishing, no doubt removed by the crab. We had our water tested at the shop, results came back as almost perfect (!), although PH was 7.5. We were told this was nothing to worry about. Plus the woman said that the returned betta had died 2 days after it had been taken back.
Any ideas what could be wrong? Woman at shop says its fine to add more fish, but we're reluctant to until this is cleared up. Thanks, Hermit23
I'm relatively new to tropical fish keeping, although kept cold water for a few years. Acquired 2ftx1ftx18inch tank, which came complete with substrate, mature filter etc, in March.
Began the slow process of adding fish gradually, with advice from local aquatics shop. Everything was fine until we bought the male betta (so beautiful!) to add as the crowning glory of our community tank. The other occupants were as follows; 2x male Gouramis, 5x male red platys, 5x male phantom tetras, 4x male guppies, 1x freshwater crab (practically invisible, lives in ornament).
Straight away the betta was very aggressive toward the other fish, constantly displaying, chasing and, as it turns out, nipping. Guppies fins were in shreds and one by one, our fish started dying, quickly disposed of by the crab.
We were advised to provide betta with floating plant cover, etc, but nothing worked and eventually we returned him to the shop. However, now our fish are still disappearing! They seem to be in good health, no white spot or anything, they are happy and active, no listless floating, but they keep vanishing, no doubt removed by the crab. We had our water tested at the shop, results came back as almost perfect (!), although PH was 7.5. We were told this was nothing to worry about. Plus the woman said that the returned betta had died 2 days after it had been taken back.
Any ideas what could be wrong? Woman at shop says its fine to add more fish, but we're reluctant to until this is cleared up. Thanks, Hermit23
I hope I am not putting you off here! But it is important to get your problem sorted as quickly as possible. Also, how do you know your phantom tetras are male? It is quite difficult to tell the sex of most tetras even for experienced keepers, but this is irrelevant in your case anyway as it is not a problem.
