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: 11/14/2007 Subject: Very Sick Oscar
Question QUESTION: 2 weeks ago I cleaned the 50 gal. tank. 4 days later my 11 year Oscar showed numerous symptoms-popeye,gasping for air, won't eat, dropsy etc. I used Maracyn-two first(5 day treatment)--didn't work. Changed 1/3 of water, filtered it for a day then tried Maracyn Plus and CopperSafe (took the filter out for these 5 days). Now he has begun to lay on his side (first day). Is this old age or is there something I can do?
ANSWER: He's an big guy! Laying on his side isn't bad (he's exhausted from being sick and he's just sleeping. It's good. Add extra salt to help with stress too.)
UNLESS he's laying flat gasping. That's super serious!
Is he still displaying ANY sickness or is he clear, eating and just on his side? Do you have any other fish in there? How are they? What's the temp?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: No other fish-laying flat gasping on side-tank at about 76-78 degrees. Does not eat-over 2 weeks now. Seems to still have popeye and his rectum has begun to stick out quite far. Color seems OK-a little grayish BUT hardly moves and just does not seem to be getting better--I feel sorry for him--any last suggestions. Thanks
Answer His rectum is sticking out... That's not good. That's a final stage before death of a fish. Take the fish out and put him where he can quietly pass on. It could be a strand of fish Tuberculosis. You can't treat for it with regular stuff so that would make since why the meds didn't work. In advanced stages it's not treatable anyway. Take care not to get water in your mouth or have a cut in the water. While it's RARE to catch TB from a fish... it's been done. It's not good. You also don't want the other fish to nibble and get TB too. They may already have it (if it IS TB that is...) but you don't want to raise the risks. I'm really sorry for your fish. :(
