Question about friends tank

[Durbkat]

I maintain my friends 29 gallon tank. It has 2 big long finned black tetras and a common pleco about 3 inches long. And yesterday I saw his tank and the black tetras were pale looking. Their fins were almost clear and their body was pale. Why is this? And what can I do to bring their color back?

 

[MegTheFish]

Was the room they were in dark for awhile, and then you turned the lights on? I know my fish always seem to get very pale once the lights are turned off.

 

[Durbkat]

Well the tank is in the basement of his house and it is dark for several hours a day but he keeps the tank light on during the day and he said its been going on for a week. But I noticed that when I turned the light off and we started watching a movie that their colored retrned. Why is this?

 

[yvez9]

how do you see darker colors if the tank is not lit? It might just be an illusion...

You should keep more than 2 tetras as they like to school... maybe add 6 of them in that tank. Does the tank have plants too? How long has he had the fish?

 

[Durbkat]

Well how I was able to see if the fins darkened up when the lights were off was when we were watching shrek 2 the brightness from the tv allowed me to see them. And yes the tank is planted. And he has had them for about 5 months. But I'm afraid to put any more fish in because he has a horrible time with fish. A couple of years ago he had 12 fish in this tank then he added a bala shark to it and it killed off his whole tank. Then I stocked it with 2 blue gouramis, 2 black tetras, a pleco, and a betta ( I know, I know I didn't know then) And for some reason his tank started to leak bad. So instead of telling me right away he put these 2 black tetras 2 blue gouramis, a betta , and a pleco in one cup. It was a wine cup that maybe held about 3 ounces of water Unfortuantly I was only able to save one of the blue gouramis because the tetra died of no heater and no oxygen and the betta and the other gourmai had a red sore on them. Now the tank has 2 long finned black tetras and a pleco. But a couple months ago it had 2 blue gouramis and 2 black mollies in their to but they died. Could I put 2 angels in their?

 

[FishFun]

I probably wouldn't go with Angels as they get 6" long and your tank would have to be at least 18" tall. Pleco's , depending on type can get quite large...18" or more in some cases. Messy little buggers too from what I hear...don't have any yet, but I'm going to get one some day! Will your's get too big for the tank eventually?

Could I put 2 angels in their?

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[-cAtFiSh-]

I would definately get some more of those tetras if i were you

 

[Ben]

Get rid of the pleco, they grow far to big for that tank and is probably causing Ammonia and Nitrites to rise because of the waste it produces

DD

 

[Saz]

Don't get rid of the pleco!!! I have an 8inch pleco and my tank is fine. It is 2 foot long but I don't have any nitrite problems or ammonia problems. If the filter sponge contains plenty of de-nitrifying bacteria that will turn the nitrites into nitrates. And as you said the tank is planted so the plants will use the nitrates to grow. Just change the water regulary and siphon out the waste and it will be fine.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Don't get rid of the pleco!!! I have an 8inch pleco and my tank is fine. It is 2 foot long but I don't have any nitrite problems or ammonia problems. If the filter sponge contains plenty of de-nitrifying bacteria that will turn the nitrites into nitrates. And as you said the tank is planted so the plants will use the nitrates to grow. Just change the water regulary and siphon out the waste and it will be fine.

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Uh.... that pleco could reach 18''. Or 12''. Depending on whether its common or sailfin. Its gonna get too big for the tank.

 

[Durbkat]

It's a common pleco and I'll be returning it to the lps once it gets to big. And I will get some more tetras for his tank. Thanks for the advice.