AboutBenty Expertise GOT A QUESTION ABOUT:
Basic needs for specific fish, illnesses, best tankmates, breeding, water chemistry, tricks to safely cut corners, and/or “stupid” questions? Maybe I can help! :)
I like to explain why you do things in aquariums (like why to use spring instead of distilled, or what pH numbers mean, ect.) so you understand why and not just taking someone’s word for it. I also like giving answers where you have two choices so you can choose which is best for the time and money you can commit to your fish. I understand how tight money can be and how expensive fish related things get.
I will NEVER leave you with an “I don’t know.” Ever. I hate that. That would waste your time and that's just mean. :)
Puedo contestar tus preguntas en español también.
Experience I have had tropical fish since 1999. I currently have: a 55gal, ten 10gal, 3 five gallons, three 2gal, and a bunch of jars and bowls. At the time I'm typing this, I have: 14 angels, 13 goldfish, 73 bettas, 12 barbs, 5 catfish, too many guppies, 4 gouramis, 2 plecos, 10 loaches, bunch of swordtails, and probably a few others, lol.
I love to rescue fish. I've had everything from mutant danios, to one eyed goldfish, to my newest adoptee, a 2 year old betta with a MASSIVE tumor problem. He was brought to a pet shop and left there because the lady didn't know what to do with him. He's pretty scary looking. One of the guys at the store there I know let me have him. :D YAY! Elephant Man lives in a gallon bowl with pretty stones in my bathroom.
Plus!!!
I sell: veil, delta, halfmoon, plakat, and crowntail bettas as well as halfblack and blonde tuxedo fancy guppies. Ask me about it sometime.
Expert: Benty Date: 5/2/2008 Subject: Sick Parrot Fish
Question Hey Benty!
I have 7 Parrot Fish that are red in color in a 55 gallon tank. We take care of the fish properly and keep up with changing the water. I dont know the pH level or the ammonia level... but when we change the water the fish are jubilent and swim all over... the temp is approx 80 degrees which is the standard i believe... but reccently a few of them have gone pale and dont move and just hang at the bottom of the tank... ive tried reading other posts and reasons i thought they could have been sick is body fungus because there are specs of white on some of the pale fish... or the lack of hiding??? im not sure tho... if i were to change the water right now again the fish would be looking more healthy, but only for a couple of days... i hope i provide enough info... i hope to hear from you soon!
Answer Hey Warren!
They way they are acting and look seems to be a bacteria infection, probably by Flavobacterium columnare (Columnaris). However, do the fish flick against anything or shake? You want to be sure it's not ich. Ich's annoying. I would start treating now with an antibiotic like: Kanamycin (Stuff like Kanaplex), Ethromycin, Ampicillin, Tetracyclin (in stuff like Maracyn-TC), and Maracyn I & Maracyn II together (both at half doses). Most of these are ingrdients in common medicines at places like Petco, Petsmart, and Petsupermarket. Petco and Petsmart have I think at least 2 of those meds. Petsupermarket has Maracyn-TC. Tetracycline turns your water FUNKY looking! It looks be pretty ugly and foamy but hey, fish live. Bacteria infections are a pain once they take hold.
Another note, don't get meds in the form of foods. They are hard to use.
Do you add salt to your tank?
If you can't respond on here to me (because it's finals week and I'm on and off), you can email me at: bentyisthecoolest@yahoo.com .
