New And A Little Bit Worried

[traceybrowne]

Hi everyone,

A week ago i started a new hobby tropical fish. Got the tank matured got all treatments e.t.c Went and got my fishies little hardy ones so the owner said. They have been doing well apart from the one little silver one. Its tail looks tatty and its dorsal fin is close to its body. I have never seen it eat either and this morning it was hiding under the gravel looking scared and sorry for itself. I know that one of the others is a bit of a bully. But what is mostly worrying me is if it is fin rot. As the other 2 where taken from a different tank and that one by itself. I am going to buy treatement but not sure on which one whether to get this one which treats all over 18 symptoms. http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=019 or this one which treats fin rot e.t.c http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=020

All in all it may not be fin rot and me being a born worrier is thinking to much with me just begining and looking on the net but better to be safe than sorry.

Also if anyone else has good advice it will be greatly appreciated. I have read up alot before getting them but cannot beat experience

Thank you

A worried

Tracey

 

[Miss Wiggle]

hi there,

we'll need a little bit more info so we can form a diagnosis and help you out, can you please answer the following questions

how did you mature the tank before adding fish?
what size tank do you have?
what species of fish and how many of each did you get?
what are your water test results for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

 

[gaz gun man]

sounds uncycled to me.

You're experiencing new tank syndrome.

Check the 'Fishless Cycling' link in Miss Wiggles signature.

 

[traceybrowne]

hi there,

we'll need a little bit more info so we can form a diagnosis and help you out, can you please answer the following questions

how did you mature the tank before adding fish?
what size tank do you have?
what species of fish and how many of each did you get?
what are your water test results for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Hi i matured the tank using Nutrifin Cycle. I have a small 10litre tank with me just starting off small. I have 3 Mickey mouse fish 2 doing great just poor little silver guy. 2 where out of the same tank and the silver one from the one next to it. My friend tested the tank for me and said all the levels where within range.

Sorry i am not good on scientific things all i do is follow the bottles and pop it in the water maybe i done something wrong. I tried to get a pic but could not take it clear enough to see the fins. The only way to describe how they look is like they have had a nibble. When i went in then its dorsal was sticking up and have red streaks but i don't know if this just might be the colour.

Now i am so worried

 

[Miss Wiggle]

sorry but nutrafin cycle is rubbish.......... have a read of the link in my sig 'whats cycling' which should explain a bit more about water chemistry. don't worry, i'm not very good with science either, i've got my head around it so I'm sure you can too.

it's important for us to know the actual test results not just 'fine' or 'in range'. one man's trash is another man's treasure as they say, what your friends thinks is fine, may not be fine, also different species have different requirements so what may be fine for her fish, may not be fine for yours.

 

[traceybrowne]

sorry but nutrafin cycle is rubbish.......... have a read of the link in my sig 'whats cycling' which should explain a bit more about water chemistry. don't worry, i'm not very good with science either, i've got my head around it so I'm sure you can too.

it's important for us to know the actual test results not just 'fine' or 'in range'. one man's trash is another man's treasure as they say, what your friends thinks is fine, may not be fine, also different species have different requirements so what may be fine for her fish, may not be fine for yours.

Thank you i will let you know the results i will have to do it in the morning though as he has the testing strips
This is all a bit for me I thought would be easy get a nice tank a few nice fish but a few weeks in and i am hopefully i am reading to much into it.

Also i read something about a 10% water change what and when shall i do this ?

Also thank you i have read your cycling and ohh my so many thngs i don't know i just bought the bottles that say they do everything i have a feeling i have gone about it all wrong.


Thank you for your patience and help

 

[Corleone]

Also i read something about a 10% water change what and when shall i do this ?

Also thank you i have read your cycling and ohh my so many thngs i don't know i just bought the bottles that say they do everything i have a feeling i have gone about it all wrong.

Unfortunately, you did exactly what fish stores tell people to do. Nobody here should hold it against you, since it's not your fault, and many people in the hobby have developed a love-hate relationship with our LFS - we depend on them for our fish, but we don't like the advice they give new owners. You're at the right place to get sorted out, though.

A 25% water change, rather than 10, is a good starting point. Once you've test results handy, you'll be better armed. I'd suggest getting a liquid drop test, as they're generally more accurate and easier to read, not to mention much cheaper in the long run (despite the higher initial price). Better not to depend on the stores or somebody else for your water tests - "Fine" might mean "perfect" or it might mean "Well your fish aren't going dying right now..." Also, at the first sign of any problem, my first action is to start a 25% water change and pull out samples for a water test. A lot of tank solutions en up involving water changes, so it's always a good starting point, and the test results can set off warning bells for what the actual problem may be.

Since you've already got fish, you've got two options: Return them (if possible), and go to fishless cycling. This will be easier in the long run - less work for you and less stress for your fish.

Alternately, particularly if you can't rehome the fish, fish-in cycling isn't popular or good, but it does work. Things to remember: Keep testing every day, and do however many water changes it takes to keep ammonia and nitrIte below 0.25 ppm (if the test kit you get measures in mg/l, it's the same as ppm).

 

[redevilman]

Hi tracybrowne as MW said you cannot rely on someone else testing your water conditions especially with test strips so i would recommend this kit its an API master test kit which will be invaluable to you during your fish in cycle they are on ebay for £16.95 delivered but its well worth the money.IMG]http/i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm105/redevilman/2202473258678080_1.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Bblou]

I bought that kit today and am tropical fish/science/ cycling challenged!! It is really easy to use and it makes you feel like a scientist.

I still dont really know what to do with the results tho lol!

I suggest also buyig yourself a white laboratory over coat for that ultimate power feeling.

I hope your fishy feels better soon!! Maybe you could get your friend to look at him if he is an experienced fish keeper?