Fish Lovers 3.0 [new poll]

[reanimator]

Idk if this counts as medical advice but,
How can you tell the difference between extreme fin damage and fin rot ?
My betta like I've mentioned before used to have plastic plants in his tank, and they were there for a long time, so there's no doubt that they did something.
But recently I've been wondering if fin rot could also be responsible. I keep trying to find some sort of definite way to tell the difference but I'm not finding anything, mainly because his fins are in such bad shape it's hard to tell.

[misted]

Idk if this counts as medical advice but,
How can you tell the difference between extreme fin damage and fin rot ?
My betta like I've mentioned before used to have plastic plants in his tank, and they were there for a long time, so there's no doubt that they did something.
But recently I've been wondering if fin rot could also be responsible. I keep trying to find some sort of definite way to tell the difference but I'm not finding anything, mainly because his fins are in such bad shape it's hard to tell.

As far as I know, you can tell what fin rot is by taking the plant out and seeing if the fin is still getting worse. You could try treating the water with salts to see if the tail starts to heal then it was fin rot.

[boston]

Idk if this counts as medical advice but,
How can you tell the difference between extreme fin damage and fin rot ?
My betta like I've mentioned before used to have plastic plants in his tank, and they were there for a long time, so there's no doubt that they did something.
But recently I've been wondering if fin rot could also be responsible. I keep trying to find some sort of definite way to tell the difference but I'm not finding anything, mainly because his fins are in such bad shape it's hard to tell.

In my bettas I usually see discoloration around the edges of fins, usually a dark greyish/blackish color if its finrot.

[reanimator]

Idk if this counts as medical advice but,
How can you tell the difference between extreme fin damage and fin rot ?
My betta like I've mentioned before used to have plastic plants in his tank, and they were there for a long time, so there's no doubt that they did something.
But recently I've been wondering if fin rot could also be responsible. I keep trying to find some sort of definite way to tell the difference but I'm not finding anything, mainly because his fins are in such bad shape it's hard to tell.

In my bettas I usually see discoloration around the edges of fins, usually a dark greyish/blackish color if its finrot.

The problem is it that my betta is a black and red halfmoon (idk if it has an official name or not, please correct me if it does)
like these here
so he naturally has dark colored edges on his fins

[Lonin]

He was just put in there for the winter, he lives in my pond out back...
I have also have had many goldfish for over 10 years, all of the same breeding. I have around 20 living out there at the moment. I have never added any, and they thrive. I know the needs of both bettas and goldfish. I know exactly how large a goldfish can get, I have many very large ones, this goldfish was quiet smaller, and was too young to thrive in the winter (I have very very cold winters) I have lost a few already this winter, and wanted to keep this one safe in my indoor tanks. My betta has had goldfish companions in the past, and a ten gallon tank is fine, and quite large enough for one season.

And after all, its only a goldfish.

I hate commenting in here, I totally forgot how ridiculous some people here are. Sorry if I offended you because of how I keep my fish, but I think if I can keep a school (I dont care what its actually called) of healthy goldfish for over ten years, my fish are fine and happy.

c: If you know how to properly care for goldfish then maybe don't suggest a goldfish as a companion for a betta for someone else? If you want to do it that's fine do what you want, but don't suggest one as a permanent companion in a too small tank.

[satuurnity]

Username: Floofems<3
How many fish tanks do you have: One ten gallon Interpret tank C:
Types of fish that you have: I just have neon tetra as of now (*squeal!* First fish that are actually JUST mine!)
Your fishs' names: I have ten tetra, and I let my family help name them C: There's Jim, George, Larry, Ben, Rosie-Posie, Chomper, Slithren, Esmerelda, Hippopotamus, and Funny Onion (my granddads nickname haha)
How long have you had fish: I just got the tank a week ago, and used the Interpret quick start up kit to cycle the tank faster with beneficial bacteria. I have had goldfish when I was really young, however, they didn't last too long, probably due to lack of knowledge D:


x x x
(please excuse the terrible iPad camera D:)
I thought I better post a form since I actually have my fish now! I got them today and they're adorable x However, there appears to be a bully/loner. There's just one tetra who stays at the right end of the tank most of the time and when others try to go there he chases them back. He sometimes stays with them. Is this natural or is there something wrong?

I'll also be getting more plants when I have more money because I've read that they love plants <3 Also, they're really pretty. I'll add the dwarf gourami in about two months, when the tetra have grown a bit and established a territory.

I'm really happy with the water parameters and the cycle kit I bought too. I have ammonia 0.1 m/l, Nitrite 0 m/l, Nitrate 0 m/l and my pH is 7.5, and that was this morning before I bought the fish.

Anyway I was wondering if I do/don't get the gourami, are there any other tank mates the tetra could have? I want to explore all options before I choose one.

Thanks so much for all your help so far!

[reanimator]

Idk if this counts as medical advice but,
How can you tell the difference between extreme fin damage and fin rot ?
My betta like I've mentioned before used to have plastic plants in his tank, and they were there for a long time, so there's no doubt that they did something.
But recently I've been wondering if fin rot could also be responsible. I keep trying to find some sort of definite way to tell the difference but I'm not finding anything, mainly because his fins are in such bad shape it's hard to tell.

Also.. here are some pictures of my fish
A month after I first got him (November 2015) (Looking back on this picture I see now his fins were already looking torn, also, the plastic plants were only removed from his tank as of late December)
Yesterday (Best picture I could get, he's not too fond of my phone)
Just to show how bad his fins are
I'm a terrible fish mother I'm sorry :(

[PeachFuzz]

Username: Floofems<3
How many fish tanks do you have: One ten gallon Interpret tank C:
Types of fish that you have: I just have neon tetra as of now (*squeal!* First fish that are actually JUST mine!)
Your fishs' names: I have ten tetra, and I let my family help name them C: There's Jim, George, Larry, Ben, Rosie-Posie, Chomper, Slithren, Esmerelda, Hippopotamus, and Funny Onion (my granddads nickname haha)
How long have you had fish: I just got the tank a week ago, and used the Interpret quick start up kit to cycle the tank faster with beneficial bacteria. I have had goldfish when I was really young, however, they didn't last too long, probably due to lack of knowledge D:

-snip-
x x x
(please excuse the terrible iPad camera D:)
I thought I better post a form since I actually have my fish now! I got them today and they're adorable x However, there appears to be a bully/loner. There's just one tetra who stays at the right end of the tank most of the time and when others try to go there he chases them back. He sometimes stays with them. Is this natural or is there something wrong?

I'll also be getting more plants when I have more money because I've read that they love plants <3 Also, they're really pretty. I'll add the dwarf gourami in about two months, when the tetra have grown a bit and established a territory.

I'm really happy with the water parameters and the cycle kit I bought too. I have ammonia 0.1 m/l, Nitrite 0 m/l, Nitrate 0 m/l and my pH is 7.5, and that was this morning before I bought the fish.

Anyway I was wondering if I do/don't get the gourami, are there any other tank mates the tetra could have? I want to explore all options before I choose one.

Thanks so much for all your help so far!

Even with bottled bacteria cycling will still take longer than a week. The only true way to "instant cycle" a tank is by using filter media from an established tank. Your tank is not cycled. Please read this cycling guide: http://seriouslyfish.com/cycling-an-aquarium/

I am concerned about your "loner tetra." It sounds like he's presenting symptoms of "neon tetra disease." Isolation from the shoal is a common first sign. Read through this article and let me know if the fish shows any other symptoms: http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/ ... sease.aspx

[satuurnity]

Username: Floofems<3
How many fish tanks do you have: One ten gallon Interpret tank C:
Types of fish that you have: I just have neon tetra as of now (*squeal!* First fish that are actually JUST mine!)
Your fishs' names: I have ten tetra, and I let my family help name them C: There's Jim, George, Larry, Ben, Rosie-Posie, Chomper, Slithren, Esmerelda, Hippopotamus, and Funny Onion (my granddads nickname haha)
How long have you had fish: I just got the tank a week ago, and used the Interpret quick start up kit to cycle the tank faster with beneficial bacteria. I have had goldfish when I was really young, however, they didn't last too long, probably due to lack of knowledge D:

-snip-
x x x
(please excuse the terrible iPad camera D:)
I thought I better post a form since I actually have my fish now! I got them today and they're adorable x However, there appears to be a bully/loner. There's just one tetra who stays at the right end of the tank most of the time and when others try to go there he chases them back. He sometimes stays with them. Is this natural or is there something wrong?

I'll also be getting more plants when I have more money because I've read that they love plants <3 Also, they're really pretty. I'll add the dwarf gourami in about two months, when the tetra have grown a bit and established a territory.

I'm really happy with the water parameters and the cycle kit I bought too. I have ammonia 0.1 m/l, Nitrite 0 m/l, Nitrate 0 m/l and my pH is 7.5, and that was this morning before I bought the fish.

Anyway I was wondering if I do/don't get the gourami, are there any other tank mates the tetra could have? I want to explore all options before I choose one.

Thanks so much for all your help so far!

Even with bottled bacteria cycling will still take longer than a week. The only true way to "instant cycle" a tank is by using filter media from an established tank. Your tank is not cycled. Please read this cycling guide: http://seriouslyfish.com/cycling-an-aquarium/

I am concerned about your "loner tetra." It sounds like he's presenting symptoms of "neon tetra disease." Isolation from the shoal is a common first sign. Read through this article and let me know if the fish shows any other symptoms: http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/ ... sease.aspx

I asked about the cycling a while back. I bought this kit and the instructions said that after seven days I should add the first fish. I was worried this wasn't long enough so I asked here, and was told the best thing to do was to follow the instructions. My ammonia levels are down and so is the nitrite so I'm presuming this was safe?

Oh god now I'm worried D: I only got my babies today! I couldn't really see any of the other symptoms, but here are some pictures:
http://sta.sh/21vos3bzbrqh
You'll generally find a few tetra to the left hand side, one hidden away near the moss balls and the little house and one sometimes goes behind the drift wood by itself, but other times they group together and swim around like you'd expect. I'm not sure if this is of any help but there were absolutely tonnes of tetra in the shop, all together in a tank.

Oh, and after counting continuously for about an hour we've found we actually have 11 tetra - the guy in the store must have miscounted.

[PeachFuzz]

Username: Floofems<3
How many fish tanks do you have: One ten gallon Interpret tank C:
Types of fish that you have: I just have neon tetra as of now (*squeal!* First fish that are actually JUST mine!)
Your fishs' names: I have ten tetra, and I let my family help name them C: There's Jim, George, Larry, Ben, Rosie-Posie, Chomper, Slithren, Esmerelda, Hippopotamus, and Funny Onion (my granddads nickname haha)
How long have you had fish: I just got the tank a week ago, and used the Interpret quick start up kit to cycle the tank faster with beneficial bacteria. I have had goldfish when I was really young, however, they didn't last too long, probably due to lack of knowledge D:

-snip-
x x x
(please excuse the terrible iPad camera D:)
I thought I better post a form since I actually have my fish now! I got them today and they're adorable x However, there appears to be a bully/loner. There's just one tetra who stays at the right end of the tank most of the time and when others try to go there he chases them back. He sometimes stays with them. Is this natural or is there something wrong?

I'll also be getting more plants when I have more money because I've read that they love plants <3 Also, they're really pretty. I'll add the dwarf gourami in about two months, when the tetra have grown a bit and established a territory.

I'm really happy with the water parameters and the cycle kit I bought too. I have ammonia 0.1 m/l, Nitrite 0 m/l, Nitrate 0 m/l and my pH is 7.5, and that was this morning before I bought the fish.

Anyway I was wondering if I do/don't get the gourami, are there any other tank mates the tetra could have? I want to explore all options before I choose one.

Thanks so much for all your help so far!

Even with bottled bacteria cycling will still take longer than a week. The only true way to "instant cycle" a tank is by using filter media from an established tank. Your tank is not cycled. Please read this cycling guide: http://seriouslyfish.com/cycling-an-aquarium/

I am concerned about your "loner tetra." It sounds like he's presenting symptoms of "neon tetra disease." Isolation from the shoal is a common first sign. Read through this article and let me know if the fish shows any other symptoms: http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/ ... sease.aspx

I asked about the cycling a while back. I bought this kit and the instructions said that after seven days I should add the first fish. I was worried this wasn't long enough so I asked here, and was told the best thing to do was to follow the instructions. My ammonia levels are down and so is the nitrite so I'm presuming this was safe?

Oh god now I'm worried D: I only got my babies today! I couldn't really see any of the other symptoms, but here are some pictures:
http://sta.sh/21vos3bzbrqh
You'll generally find a few tetra to the left hand side, one hidden away near the moss balls and the little house and one sometimes goes behind the drift wood by itself, but other times they group together and swim around like you'd expect. I'm not sure if this is of any help but there were absolutely tonnes of tetra in the shop, all together in a tank.

Oh, and after counting continuously for about an hour we've found we actually have 11 tetra - the guy in the store must have miscounted.

Unfortunately kits bought in pet shops often have incorrect instructions :c But don't worry, if the pet store won't take back the fish, fish-in cycles are fairly simple although they are a lot of work and can be stressful and possibly harmful to the fish. Change 25% of the water whenever ammonia reaches .25 ppm. After some time nitrites will appear and you need to change the water 25% at .25 ppm nitrite. Do not put off these water changes or you will end up with sick or dead fish. Once nitrates show up you know your cycle is complete and you can switch to regular weekly water changes!
The issue is that while yes, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite are safe, without the nitrogen cycle those parameters will not be stable.

Since neon tetras are shoaling fish (not schooling fish) they will not always stick together. It is expected for the group to sometimes split up and go off on their own. It's only really a red flag if there is one specific tetra that is almost always away from the shoal - that is a sign of disease.