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About Brit Brit
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer your questions about Bettas, most Freshwater Tropical Fish, compatibility between tropical freshwater fish, tips on how to set up a new aquarium, what fish to add, what temperature your tank should be at, etc. I can answer questions about goldfish, and I know a bit about aquarium plants. I can't answer questions concerning anything marine, and I know next to nothing about ponds, and even less about Cichlid breeding. So please don't ask. If I am not sure about something, I will try to research it for you and get back to you very quickly. I cannot magically cure your fish over the web, unfortunately, so please remember your fish's health depends solely on you. Also, don't expect a detailed answer if I have not been given a detailed question. I can only do so much! Details, details, details!! (It does state what I need on the Ask A Question Page)

Experience
I take care of over 3000 fish daily. I worked at Petsmart for a few years, and have had training in many areas, including aquaria and all the basics to keep fish happy and healthy. I met quite a few experts in the hobby and have learned a lot from them, and they have learned a lot from me :) Also, I have done a lot of research and studying on my own time about not just fish but a lot of different house pets because I like to help people and help their pets.

Education/Credentials
Petsmart training Adult Diploma

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish

Questions Answered By Expert Brit Brit
In Category Fish

Subject	Date Asked

Male Betta behavior	7/23/2008
Q: I wanted to ask your opinion about male Bettas. I've been told it is awful for them to be able to ... A: I don't recommend it for several reasons. One being that yes, I do beleive it causes them stress, ...
my betta fish is not eating and it only reaches up for oxygen	7/20/2008
Q: i have my fish in a 1 gallon size bowl under room temp water, he recently started with these ... A: I have actually answered many questions like this, and each time it takes me about 20 minutes to ...
Fish Food	7/18/2008
Q: I have a Dalmatian Molly Fish and I gave it Tetra Color Tropical Flakes. When I feed the Dalmatian ... A: I usually recommend Omega One Tropical Flakes, they have the absolute best ingredients. Make sure ...
Swollen discolored Betta King Fish	7/17/2008
Q: We got a beautiful blue Betta King about 8 months ago and the past month or so I've noticed that he ... A: There's a lot of things you can do to fix this situation, and a lot of things that you aren't doing ...
Betas mating	7/15/2008
Q: in how many days is a female ready to spawn A: It has nothing to do with days. It all has to do with whether or not she is of age (they must be ...
New fish	7/14/2008
Q: I have a 20 gallon with 4 guppies, 4 cory cats, 4 cherry barbs and 4 black phantom tetras. I was ... A: Decide on which pair you like better - the gouramis or the platies. Both have the potential to be ...
Female Betta getting black-tinted scales	7/12/2008
Q: I have 2 betta fish, both females, one almost 3, the other 1 year old (based on when I got them). I ... A: The symptoms of Hexamita (hole-in-the-head) are small, white/gray "worms" crawling out of head ...
dragon goby	7/11/2008
Q: My dragon goby has a soft round bulge in his belly. He's floating around upside down and randomly ... A: A soft bulge is better than a hard bulge, but it sounds as though he has a bad case of SBD. Keep the ...
Fuzzy goldfish	7/11/2008
Q: About two and half weeks ago you answered my question about my goldfish that jumped out of the tank. ... A: The issue you are describing sounds like a fungus problem. Is the goldfish the only one in it's ...
betta	7/10/2008
Q: my kids brought home a betta a few months ago.I know I should have had it in a aqaurium but I ... A: What size tank do you have her in, what temperature is it kept at, and have you been using tap water ...
styrofoam in a fish tank	7/10/2008
Q: I am designing an environment for my office that is an expanded version of something I have done in ... A: It's very possible it will deteriorate over time, and become toxic to your fish. I definitely don't ...
Fighting Fish in mineral water	7/8/2008
Q: I'm Daphne. I just want to know if it is okay to use mineral water for my aquarium? Because it is ... A: IN the end, it would actually be easier and safer to use tap water. You need to buy tap water ...
Fan tail goldfish help needed please	7/5/2008
Q: We have a small (17L) tank brought for my daughter at Christmas. Since Christmas we have lost 4 fish ... A: Your biggest problem is the fact that the tank is simply too small. The bigger the tank, the better ...
baby fish	7/2/2008
Q: when can i put my baby fish back in to my community tank? At what size or age can i put them back ... A: Once they are large enough not to be eaten by the other fish, they can go back in with the adults. ...
Red cap oranda goldfish	6/30/2008
Q: My goldfish has a growth on it's forehead.The growth is the same color of his skin, but in the ... A: Oranda goldfish have natural growths on their heads. This is called a wen. I would be more worried ...
betta fish	6/28/2008
Q: I have had two male bettas for a while. I just tried to breed one with a new female I bought today. ... A: Bettas are not called Siamese Fighting Fish for nothing. You have to let them see each other in ...
hi	6/26/2008
Q: !! I HAVE A FEMALE AND MALE BETTA FISH! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WOULD I KNOW WHEN MY MALE AND ... A: First - please don't type in caps next time - it will make it much easier to read and concentrate on ...
sick gold gourami	6/23/2008
Q: hey today i noticed my gold gourami acting weird, it wouldnt come out to feed, and just wouldnt come ... A: There is simply not enough details for me to help you in the way you'd like to be helped. How large ...
goldfish	6/22/2008
Q: I have two goldfish one is a red and white oranda and one is a fantail.I have them in a 5 gal tank ... A: Unfortunately that tank is way too small for two goldfish. They will grow (if they live that long) ...
Beta fish	6/22/2008
Q: I have had a new beta for about a month now. He has been happily swimming all over his tank, a one ... A: Now when you say aPI Stress Coat, it does remove chlorine and chloramines both, right? One pellet ...
my tetra seems paralysed	6/21/2008
Q: I have 4 red-eye tetras in my 10 gallon fish tank (and 2 mollies and 1 platy). I got the tank only ... A: They are doing exactly what you said - flashing. That's the term we use when fish are trying to ...
humming sound in impeller	6/20/2008
Q: I have an external filter for about one year now. And yesterday I was cleaning the intake pipe. When ... A: This is not really my area of expertise - when it comes to the filters I usually have someone else ...
my tetra seems paralysed	6/19/2008
Q: I have 4 red-eye tetras in my 10 gallon fish tank (and 2 mollies and 1 platy). I got the tank only ... A: Well, for starters, you don't want to move around the fish so much - that is just as stressful as ...
platy frys	6/18/2008
Q: One of my 2 female platys just gave birth to ~ 9 frys. They are hiding in rock crevices and ... A: If you have another tank handy, it would be much better to have a tank just for the fry. That way ...
my fish keep dying	6/17/2008
Q: I have a 29 gallon tank and all my fish are dying. I am tired of going to the pet store and them ... A: Believe it or not, fish are not that easy to care for. When you set up a tank, you are not only ...
problematic tank!!!!	6/11/2008
Q: We have gradually re stocked our 24 gallon tank over the last 4 months. Fish added every 2 to 3 ... A: No matter what, whenever you start out a new tank there will be some losses. So it's not entirely ...
One Guppy	6/10/2008
Q: I now have a ten gallon tank with two neon tetras, two african dwarf frogs, and two black neon ... A: He is nervous. He doesn't have any of his buddies to "watch his back for him", and her was just ...
My 2 goldfish friends.	6/9/2008
Q: I have had 2 fancy tailed goldfish for about 3 months now. It's an upright tank that holds about 9 ... A: To begin with, moving around these fish so much tends to stress them out. You want to do partial ...
Bettas	6/8/2008
Q: How long do bettas typically live? A: Generally between 2and 3 years, but I have seen them live for 7 years. The better they are taken ...
my brothers fish	5/24/2008
Q: Dylan's fish is a blackmoore and shares a 10 litre tank with another blackmoore. We have had him now ... A: The problem is your water quality and tank size. With two goldfish, you need at least a thirty ...
Gouramis	5/24/2008
Q: I have a Powder Blue Gourami and a Red Gourami I bought about a week ago in a 10 gallon tank. ... A: I would recommend adding a lot more decor, plants, and overall hiding places for your gouramis. They ...
pregnant beta fish	5/23/2008
Q: We have 2 beta fish in the same tank, one female one male, I have noticed that the female has gotten ... A: It is doubtful that she is pregnant, as bettas are egglayers, and the females constantly carry eggs ...
Beta death	5/23/2008
Q: My 2-year old Beta died suddenly without outward sign of disease. I kept him in a 5 gallon ... A: Carol, I'm sorry about the loss of your betta fish. It is easy to get so attached to them. The most ...
Please Help My Sick Black Moor!	5/22/2008
Q: I have a 55 gallon community tank with 5 fancy goldfish and I have had one of them, a black moor ... A: Raul, I recommend keeping him in the sick tank - very good idea - and keep a close eye on him for ...
my beta	5/22/2008
Q: my beta is a male but its looks like it is pergnet it has a verey large lump on its stomach help A: Ariana, Stop feeding your fish for two days, and buy a remedy-all medication called "Lifegaurd". If ...
Green spotted puffer fish	5/21/2008
Q: I have no Idea what kind of puffer fish I have...I have read sited explaining the difference, but ... A: Well, I can tell you up front that whatever kind of puffer it is, it is undoubtedlt not freshwater. ...
Is my betta fish pegnant?	5/21/2008
Q: My female beta fish has been acting strange lately it won't move its not dead its only staying and ... A: Anisah, How often are you changing out the water? Do a water change right away, always use tap water ...
my frog has blisters	5/20/2008
Q: "i have a 40 gallon tank with 5 small fish(1 inch) and a small water frog about a half inch we have ... A: UNfortunately, there are about a thousand different diseases that african dwarf frogs can suffer ...
betta fish	5/19/2008
Q: can i put a algae fish in with a betta? A: That is an extremely vague question. First of all, you'd have to tell me the exact name of an "Algae ...
my fish has lost color	5/19/2008
Q: my fish got stuck in the filter a few days ago and now its tale is in rags and its losing its color ... A: Ashley, First of all you need to start doing water changes once a week. No matter how large the tank ...
Gourami	5/18/2008
Q: My girlfriend and I recently set up a new tank (we're newbies) of about 35 gallons, about 75 ... A: Nigel, First of all, sticking him in a fish bowl will only add to his stress. Put him back into the ...
Baby Fish	5/17/2008
Q: I have 1 white Black molly a snail and a leopard catfish. I go to feed it one day and there is a ... A: It is most likely a Molly fry, and you would do best to separate it from the other fish until it is ...
Platy fry in a medicated tank?	5/17/2008
Q: My platy has had pop eye and is currently being treated with amplicilan tablets from our local fish ... A: Sarah, The fry would be better off in an uncycled, unheated tank than in a tank being treated with ...
goldfish	5/17/2008
Q: I have a large 35 gallon tank with 5 2" long gold fish. I use a aqua clear filter. We tread the ... A: Unfortunately the problem lies with the size of your tank. With that many goldfish, you should have ...
Puffers	5/16/2008
Q: I was going to get either a Figure eight puffer or a Green Spotted Puffer. But my tank is currently ... A: Unfortunately the answer to your second question is no. Puffers are very territorial and aggressive, ...
sailfin pleco	5/15/2008
Q: will a small (for now) two-three inch sailfin plecostomus get along with a raphael catfish or two ... A: I would definitely recommend the latter choice of the ram and the bichir. While you may have had ...
high Nitrate and Nitrite	5/15/2008
Q: I have a 10 gallon tank for about 3 weeks. Last week I went to my local Petsmart ask for them to ... A: Meiling, It takes anywhere from 3-6 weeks for a tank to become fully established (cycled). In this ...
Breeding Betta Fish	5/15/2008
Q: When breeding betta fish is there a big risk that either of the parents will die? A: That depends on the situation. If they have been introduced properly, and both show signs that they ...
betta	5/14/2008
Q: I am a first time fish owner, and am finding it to be difficult to understand my betta. He had ... A: Those are all very good questions. For starters, while most fish do have spawning seasons - usually ...
betta	5/13/2008
Q: I am a first time fish owner, and am finding it to be difficult to understand my betta. He had ... A: While it is not necessary for a male to build a bubble nest for him to be healthy, it could be a ...
spitting out food	5/13/2008
Q: I received a beta fish (Jonah) for my birthday (April 28) from my boyfriend. He purchased food, as ... A: There could be a few different explanations. How long has he been doing that? Do you watch long ...
goldfish in tanks, and multiple fish foods for one tank.	5/13/2008
Q: i have a 10 gallon fresh water fish tank right now. It has tetras(glow-light and neon)bottoms ... A: I would stick to just the fish you have currently. Your "algae eaters" and "bottom feeders" (this ...
oscars	5/12/2008
Q: my 3 year old Oscars look like they are molting the eyes are cloded and they have a really dull look ... A: Damian, Have you tested your water? This sounds like a bad case of poor water quality. Do a 60-70 ...
the sex	5/12/2008
Q: how can you tell the sex of the beta fish because i don't know and how often should i feed it? is ... A: You can find a lot of books in pet stores about betta care, as well as great information online. You ...
guppies	5/11/2008
Q: i just got some guppies and i was wondering if u could tell me how to tell when my guppies are ... A: I recommend picking up a book on guppy breeding, so you will know how to spawn your fish (not that's ...
My Fish isn't eating	5/11/2008
Q: I have bought a Betta Fish from the fish store, i brought him home and immediately put him into his ... A: Well, first of all you want to make sure that you are not overfeeding him, especially in such a ...
Mollies	5/10/2008
Q: Well my molly just had swim bladder for about 3 days and this morning it was just fine so i let it ... A: Matt, When your fish is sick, the last thing you want to do is stick it into a confined space, if ...
gold fish	5/10/2008
Q: I have a pond in my back yard, full of gold fish, and one of our fish looks as if it had been shoved ... A: Have you noticed your fish rubbing itself against the decor or on rocks/gravel? Normally when fish ...
BETTA FISH	5/10/2008
Q: My fish has tail rot - fins seem to be ok. The edges of the tail is black and did not seem too bad ... A: First off, change out his water straight away, and stick to using just the betta remedy until he ...
Zebra Danios	5/9/2008
Q: I have recently purchase zebra danios. They are quite happy, and I think I have a breeding pair. The ... A: Erika, Zebras are egg scatters, so marble or marble chips would be a good idea. A long, thin tank ...
Gold Fish	5/8/2008
Q: He hasn't closed in 2 weeks and I do not think is able to eat. I looked in his mouth and did not ... A: Becky, Is there possibly something lodged in his mouth/throat, such as a piece of flake/pellet that ...
BETTA FISH	5/7/2008
Q: I have a few questions about betta fish. I've been hearing a lot of things from a lot of people. ... A: That is a great question, and I've heard it a lot, actually. There are thousands of misconceptions ...
Bowl Fungud	5/7/2008
Q: and still is from what I can see. My problem is, there is some sort of bright green fungus growing ... A: That is actually a kind of algae. Algae is not just green, but can actually be blue, brown, and a ...
Comet Goldfish and African Dwarf Frog	5/6/2008
Q: I have an African Dwarf Frog living by itself in an 8" x 5.5" x 4.5" tank with still water. I want ... A: You would be better off putting a few neon tetras in with your frog. They are more compatible (being ...
Science Experiment	5/6/2008
Q: Im in 11th grade and me and my partner have science project dealing with fish. In this case we have ... A: Kayla, Honestly, I am a huge animal and fish lover, and do not approve of experimentation on any ...
Bettas and chinese algea eaters	5/5/2008
Q: I have had a betta in a 35 litre tank with 4 neon tetras since March. They have been getting on ... A: It would appear that your chinese algae eaters have attacked your betta. They are actually quite ...
Corydoras missing fin...	5/5/2008
Q: i hope you can help me with my question. im a bit worried about a couple of bronze corys of mine, ... A: It is hard to tell without seeing it, or knowing how long it took for the fin to disappear. It is ...
food	5/4/2008
Q: what should i feed my 2 week old betta fry A: If they can fit the betta pellets into their mouths (unlikely) then that would be what you feed ...
Fighter Fish	5/4/2008
Q: What to do with a woman fighter that is dead but has the eggs inside A: Cregg, I'm sorry but unfortunately there is nothing you can do. The eggs are not even fertilized, ...
Red Chief: Betta	5/3/2008
Q: Ok, me and my dad's betta fish ( i'm only 12 years old ) has some weird ice looking icky stuff at ... A: Sorry, but I really don't have much to go off of here. What I can tell you is, you need a larger ...
R.I.P. Betta - Turq	5/3/2008
Q: I noticed for the past week or so that my male Betta had a fat belly. His water was always kept ... A: A large belly can mean one of three things - overfeeding, which is a common killer for beginner ...
bubbles at top of bowl	5/2/2008
Q: I received a beta fish (Jonah) for my birthday (April 28) from my boyfriend. He purchased food, as ... A: You'll want to make sure that his water is warm enough. Bettas are tropical fish and require a temp ...
Platy Fry	5/2/2008
Q: My son had 2 Plates and then one died. We thought he had 2 boys, but we were apparently wrong and ... A: Platies are live bearing fish that can stay in pregnancy for up to one month. It is very possible ...
Beta Issues....	5/2/2008
Q: . I am having some Beta Fish issues at the moment... I just did a water change about an hour and a ... A: One quart is really much too small, especially going for one full week without changing water. You ...
Sad goldfish	5/1/2008
Q: Oh! Where do I start! We had a tank set up for a week before buying two small goldfish - then the ... A: Yes you have given me quite a bit of information, and thanks for that. I have bad news though, a six ...
Fish help please!!!!!!	5/1/2008
Q: I have a 14 gallon tank.My fish include A male Bettea,3 glo fish,Rainbow shark, and albino sucker ... A: When it comes to medicine, just follow the directions exactly on the packaging, and make sure there ...
Plecostamous	4/30/2008
Q: I was wondering if/how often I should feed my plecostamous. He's still quite small at like 5-7 ... A: The common pleco is a vegetarian catfish that grows to lengths of over two feet long. You should be ...
14 gallon Betta/Tetra community tank	4/30/2008
Q: I have a 14 gallon tank, and in it I have one male Beta, five Neon Tetras, an Amazon Sword aquarium ... A: It's not that your betta is picky, but bettas have different dietary needs from your other tropical ...
Death of Lucy and Ethel...my cory catfish	4/29/2008
Q: I recently bought a betta and 2 emerald green cory cats. I have a 5 gallon tank, completely cycled. ... A: How long did you have the tank set up and running with water before adding any fish? Also, how much ...
Bette Fish	4/29/2008
Q: I keep my Betta's in individual vases. I clean them out every three days. Should I be doing this, or ... A: Walesca, Sorry about your fish. A ten gallon tank would be a great idea. The bigger the better. ...
orange goldfish	4/27/2008
Q: Last week, the goldfish was bloated and the scales appeared to be raised after a couple days the ... A: It is a bit hard to help you with much when there is not very much detail as to how you take care of ...
My Betta has Dropsy	4/27/2008
Q: I have a betta in a 2 gal. filtered aquarium. He has had dropsy for a couple of months, his stomach ... A: You should be treating him with Tetracycline. Dropsy is pretty hard to cure though, so the fact that ...
Fish keep dieing	4/26/2008
Q: I have an established freshwater aquarium (2 years). I do a 10-20 water change weekly, keep the ... A: It depends on which kind you are using. As long as there is no chlorine in the water you are using, ...
Tropical Fish	4/26/2008
Q: I have just recently started a tank up and it has been running now for three full days. I have ... A: The best way to tell is by testing your water. Test every three days or so, and if you find that the ...
Fish keep dieing	4/25/2008
Q: I have an established freshwater aquarium (2 years). I do a 10-20 water change weekly, keep the ... A: First of all, thank you for including some detail. However it would also help greatly to know the ...
Bette Fish	4/24/2008
Q: I keep my Betta's in individual vases. I clean them out every three days. Should I be doing this, or ... A: If they are in something as small as a vase it is best to completely change out the water. If you ...
goldfish problems	4/24/2008
Q: I have two goldfish with what looks like some sort of desease, the first looks as though both eyes ... A: Honestly, some fish truly look like that naturally. But if they didn't look like that from the ...
Sick goldfish	4/23/2008
Q: I began keeping goldfish in my office at work last fall, unfortunately (and like so many others) ... A: There are actually two natural medications that you can mix together - Melafix and Pimafix. Together ...
Fish	4/22/2008
Q: I have a goldfish I won at the library. I had her for about a week when I started noticing she ... A: Kelly, Unfortunately the reason is most likely you have them in too small of a tank. A goldfish ...
Sick goldfish	4/22/2008
Q: I have a goldfish that I got last week. She seemed okay until a couple of days ago. I noticed she ... A: Kelly, Your first problem is that your tank is way too small. For goldfish, you need at least a 20 ...
Mufasa	4/22/2008
Q: I recently acquired a beautiful multi-colored betta fish named Mufasa (don't ask). I also found out ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
New 75 gallon tank	4/21/2008
Q: I just got a 75 gallon tank and am looking for suggestion on what kind of fish I should get for it. ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
1 gal tank	4/21/2008
Q: I recently bought 1 gal tank for my sons. I haven't decided what type of fish to get. Between betta ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
Eye's swollen	4/21/2008
Q: My sunfish I keep has recently and has had for about 2 weeks now some sweeling coming from the front ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
Chubby Molly	4/21/2008
Q: I wrote you a question last time about my dalmatian molly being pregnant...It turns out my other ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
Betta Sick?	4/20/2008
Q: I have a red male betta fish. He is about a year old. He lives in tank that is 1.5 gal. The room and ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
pleas answer ASAP !!	4/20/2008
Q: I just got 9 gold fish from a pet store I brought them home and let the bag sit in the water I ... A: You should never put that many fish into a tank at once. And you need to cycle your tank before ...
Sick Neon Tetra	4/19/2008
Q: I noticed that one of our 7neon tetras in the 20G tank is rapidly opening and closing its mouth, it ... A: Sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends computer because mine crashed ...
penguin fish lying down	4/18/2008
Q: I have a 29 gallon freshwater tank, temperature 80 degrees, with 12 small fish and a medium sized ... A: Let me start off by saying sorry this answer is so late in getting to you, I am using a friends ...
Beta Fish	4/18/2008
Q: I recently noticed that my mothers' Beta fish has changed its color - from a brilliant deep red to a ... A: Paling is an indication of stress, which usually leads to illness and death. What temperature is the ...
Goldfish:	4/18/2008
Q: Up until three days ago I had two Goldfish. My son received them as a b'day present on 03/31/2008. ... A: Stacey, How large was the tank? Most likely it was much too small, and the fish died from a ...
Oscar just lying on its side for a week now	4/17/2008
Q: About 2 weeks ago my tiger oscar who is about 10 years old jut started spending much of its time on ... A: Continue doing frequent water changes, around 40% every other day until he recovers. Just keep using ...
Pleko and Tank help	4/17/2008
Q: We have inhertited a very large (250L) fish tank with one Pleko in it. We have had to move the tank ... A: Just to start - I want you to know that with one Pleco and one Oscar, you have reached beyond your ...
my new beta	4/17/2008
Q: i'm a college student, and on a whim i went and got a female beta this afternoon. she is the only ... A: First of all, distilled water is not very good for fish, because it contains no minerals whatsoever, ...
Betta Fish	4/16/2008
Q: My moms betta fish has been laying on his side for about a month now. He does come up to eat, but ... A: A month is an awfully long time for a fish to be ill, so frankly I'm surprised he has made it this ...
temperature spike	4/16/2008
Q: heya, i keep discus fish, and up untill last night, kept them at 28 degrees C. i read on the ... A: There are many things that could cause this, and given the very small amount of info that I have I ...
Tropical Fish	4/16/2008
Q: I have just recently started a tank up and it has been running now for three full days. I have ... A: Lisa, Unfortunately, three days is really not a lot of time. You need to have the tank cycle before ...
OSCARS	4/16/2008
Q: We have inherited a wonderful pair of tiger Oscars about 10" each, lately they have been fighting, ... A: Really all you can do is get them a larger tank. Territorial fish such as Cichlids need a certain ...
Molly	4/15/2008
Q: We've just set up a new tank. It's a 30 gallon tank and we have 6 little fish (none are full grown ... A: If it is smooth against him then it is most likely just his natural coloring. However, if this ...
help for betta	4/15/2008
Q: I have a betta. He is about a year and a half old. He has always been a good eater. I used to feed ... A: Chloe, You need to make sure he is getting all the nutrients he needs. While they certainly love ...
Female Betta with sudden lethargy	4/15/2008
Q: I have a female betta living in a 1 gallon bowl, whom recently became very lethargic. She lays at ... A: I would get her into a larger tank (2+ gallons), and get a heater in that thing. She should have a ...
Platies	4/14/2008
Q: About 7 months ago I got this 8 gallon tank. I put a molly and a platy in it, and the platy was ... A: Emily, I recommend setting up two extra tanks, and separating all the males from the females as soon ...
Female bettas living together	4/14/2008
Q: I am the owner of two female betta fish. I have heard that that females can live together but when I ... A: I am assuming you are trying to stick them together in a bowl, or something around one gallon? The ...
Beta Question	4/13/2008
Q: We have a 10 gallon fish tank. We have a heater that keeps the water a constant 78 degrees. We add a ... A: Laura, One problem with trying to keep mollies and bettas together is that they resemble each other ...
fantail goldfish	4/13/2008
Q: I recently had one of my fantails sucked in by the filter. I was able to free him and he is alive ... A: Brandy, Make sure he is not stressed out any further, and keep his water clean. You should also add ...
My prego fish??	4/13/2008
Q: My question is that I bought 2 mollies about 2 months ago, both I believe are females, about a week ... A: Jessica, Mollies actually can NOT reproduce by themselves. However, they can hold the male sperm for ...
finrot	4/13/2008
Q: my golfish has finrot and her tail has gone so she is now head down in the water, vertical all the ... A: Ellen, Unfortunately, your tank is way too small for any goldfish. You need to upgrade to a 20 ...
Ranchu fish early fungus?	4/12/2008
Q: i am a bit concerned with one of my young ranchu fish, he seems to be ok, hes eating his usual ... A: Adam, Make sure when you are doing water changes that you aren't taking out ALL the water - and it ...
My Fish	4/12/2008
Q: My beta fish has a swollen neck or tummy and he stays at the bottom a lot. He really doesn't move a ... A: Ed, Regrettably, this question is a little vague when it comes to details. I can only go off what ...
Sick Oscar	4/11/2008
Q: I have a tiger oscar who has become very sick within the last 4 days,both his eyes have a white ... A: Maria, I can help you out in a few ways here, but you may also want to talk to another expert for ...
AMMONIA AGAIN	4/11/2008
Q: I continue to have ammonia problems. (on and off.) 25-50. Even though for the past 4 yrs I have ... A: You may want to test the well water by itself, and see if there is a noticeable amount of ammonia in ...
what should I do with my pearl scale.	4/11/2008
Q: I have a 180 litre community tank with 2 commets, 2 fantails, 1 black moore, 1 orando, 1 pleco and a ... A: First thing's first, according to you, you have a 47.5 gallon tank. I go by gallons, because it is ...
my pleco	4/10/2008
Q: i was wondering why my pleco stays at the heater and it looks like he keeps burning himself i dont ... A: Theresa, Either there is a food source there and he has nothing else to eat, or the rest of your ...
Sick Male Betta	4/10/2008
Q: Mesa, our male betta, is sick. His fins are clamped. His normally bright red, but now he has a very ... A: It is hard to get help from a Wal-Mart associate, since it's very unlikely any of them have ever ...
Balloon Belly Mollie.. Pregnant???	4/10/2008
Q: I have a 5 gallon and a 2.5 gallon tank, I keep the temp around 74, I have 2 kuli loaches, 1 male ... A: The best way to keep an eye out for potential problems or illnesses developing is regular water ...
Do I have to give them up?	4/9/2008
Q: I have 4 common goldfish, which I have split into 2 tanks. (2 fish in each) I have owned them since ... A: Annette, I don't know where you heard about "unfriendly small fish", but it is true that you need ...
sick fish	4/9/2008
Q: I have a two and a half inch fantail goldfish and a three inch procostomus in my 20 gallon aquarium. ... A: Jason, Stop adding fish to your tank. It is already overstock, truth be told. 20 gallons is just ...
Sick Male Betta	4/9/2008
Q: Mesa, our male betta, is sick. His fins are clamped. His normally bright red, but now he has a very ... A: Make sure you are doing weekly water changes, and always using tap water dechlorinator. Sounds like ...
Fish dying?	4/9/2008
Q: My officemate "Sushi" is about 16 months old. At least that's how long I've had him. Don't know how ... A: You didn't give me much detail - as far as what kind of fish it is, how large is the tank, how often ...
Beeta with growth around mouth	4/9/2008
Q: I have had my Beta for a year. He suddenly developed what looks like a clear gel growing around his ... A: Savannah, You just need to do more water changes. The tank is way too small to only have fresh water ...
SBD from first water change?	4/8/2008
Q: I got a beta last week, and am keeping him in a one gallon tank. I did his first water change today ... A: What do you mean exactly by "purified water that has been conditioned for a day"? Honestly, you just ...
beta fish wont eat his food	4/8/2008
Q: The size of the fish bowl is small (about less than half a gallon of water), room temperature, clean ... A: Kristina, You should really get him a larger tank. Two gallons is my recommended minimum for any ...
Balloon Belly Mollie.. Pregnant???	4/8/2008
Q: I have a 5 gallon and a 2.5 gallon tank, I keep the temp around 74, I have 2 kuli loaches, 1 male ... A: Terrie, I can see a few things wrong with what you have described to me. Briefly, you need to do ...
betta fish	4/8/2008
Q: What can u feed a betta if they are not eating thier pellets and it is night time and u cant go to ... A: Kayla, Make sure you are not over feeding, three pellets a day is more than enough. Also, make sure ...
betta fish	4/7/2008
Q: We bought a small tank about a month and a half ago. I think it is about 3 galloons? $20 at Walmart. ... A: I don't think the tank is contaminated. If you are really worried about it, you can clean it with ...
betta fish	4/7/2008
Q: We bought a small tank about a month and a half ago. I think it is about 3 galloons? $20 at Walmart. ... A: I understand how frustrating this can be, but I can definitely help you! The first couple of fish ...
molly water	4/6/2008
Q: any good advice for high nitrate levels with my molly? I'm at about forty, and i wonder if that can ... A: Giuseppi, Nitrate levels can only be fixed by water changes. You probably just aren't doing them ...
Fighting or mating fish	4/6/2008
Q: I have two dalmatian Mollies. I thought they were both males but ever so often one will put his top ... A: Jennifer, You can tell whether they are male or female by the anal fin. Males will have a long, ...
Betta fish with white film forming on him	4/6/2008
Q: My daughters each got a Betta fish over Spring Break. We got them at the same store, with the same ... A: Katie, Are your daughters the ones actually taking care of the fish? Do you supervise them when they ...
oscar that has a big bump on its side	4/6/2008
Q: what are the big sides that were never there before.is she pregnant A: CJ, You need to provide as much detail as possible or I cannot help you. I don't think she is ...
goldfish	4/5/2008
Q: Why do my goldfish always swim at the bottom of the tank? they eat all their food and the ... A: Heather, This is a very vague question, and I don't have much details to go on. What exactly IS the ...
Tiger barb	4/5/2008
Q: Hey, i have a new 55 gal tank, i had put 4 medium angels, and 23 neons in. i had them in there for a ... A: Willis, I recommend taking back all the tiger barbs, and next time definitely research each fish ...
gold fish	4/5/2008
Q: i have a fantail goldfish in my tank it stomach has become extreamly large is it possible that it ... A: This is doubtful as it is kind of hard to breed goldfish unless you have studied up on it and ...
convict cichlids	4/5/2008
Q: We just recently adopted two cichlids, not sure what the sex are?they were both doing ok when we ... A: Crystal, As I stated in my profile, I need as much detail as possible. Please write back with the ...
silver-tipped sharks	4/4/2008
Q: I have 4 small silver tipped sharks that were usually swimming around and rarely stop, lately they ... A: Denise, Unfortunately your question is a bit too vague, and I can not do much to help you. Silver ...
Water Quality	4/4/2008
Q: I have had a 10 gallon tank for about a year now. I do regular water changes, filter cartridge ... A: Sammy, It is possible that a sudden introduction of too many fish can cause a bacterial bloom, ...
glo fish	4/4/2008
Q: I just got my first tank, it is 16 gallons. I have 5 glo fish 5 tiger barbs, 1 eel and 2 fish that I ... A: Amy, Your first mistake was that you added WAY too many fish at once, and that your tank was ...
my fantail goldfish wont eat	4/3/2008
Q: since my last fish died it now just sits at the bottom of the tank perioically darting around the ... A: Geoff, Fish naturally hide any signs of illness as long as they can. It's a defense mechanism that ...
koi and oscars together	4/3/2008
Q: I have two koi and two oscars in the same tank (because my dad was stupid and got carnivorous fish) ... A: Amanda, Koi fish and Oscars are worlds apart, and should never be housed together under any ...
Betta fish/ plants and snails	4/2/2008
Q: I have two bettas in the same 5 gal tank that i had separated with netting. they were doing great ... A: Although your water tests came out fine, there is obviously something toxic in your tank that is ...
blackening goldfish	4/2/2008
Q: I have three small common goldfish (approx 1 inch each) in a five gallon tank with a light and ... A: Sounds like either an ammonia burn, or possibly parasites. Three comet goldfish will need much ...
lipless fish	4/2/2008
Q: Recently my fish have had white spot. I noticed during the period of the disease my platy to be ... A: There are hundreds of diseases that can effect fish. There are several ways to avoid or to reduce ...
fish dying - reason unknown	4/2/2008
Q: I am not an experienced fish keeper, but eventually, after many tries at communal aquiarium, we ... A: Margarita, I noticed your question, and just thought I could help you out a little. For one, ...
6 Gallon Tank	4/1/2008
Q: I've just brought a 6 galloon tank and am not sure what types of fish to purchase I have set it up ... A: You may want to start off with some micro rasboras. Rasboras are a hearty species and some types are ...
Betta fish	4/1/2008
Q: My betta fish keeps sitting at the bottom. It is almost straight up and down OR it looks like it is ... A: Is he still doesn't even after another day or two, try coaxing him into eating a few thawed blood ...
sickness	4/1/2008
Q: i have 4 goldfish in a 55 gallon tank 1 of them has a little red spot on its tail its still swimming ... A: Andre, It is hard to tell without seeing a picture. It could have been from flashing and now he has ...
Beta Fish	4/1/2008
Q: I recently changed the bowl my Beta was living in to a smaller size. everything seemed normal at ... A: Donnie, When it comes to fish tanks, bigger is always better. And the smaller the tank, the harder ...
pregnant guppy	3/31/2008
Q: I have a pregnant guppy who is extremely fat, she hasn't eaten for a couple of days, she also has a ... A: Guppies will usually have clear feces when they are pregnant. It is possible she has dropsy. Test ...
discus	3/31/2008
Q: I have an established 55 gallon tank with small angelfish, neon tetras, 1 plecostamus, 2 albino cory ... A: Most fish species are less stressed when they have others of the same kind close by. This does ...
Betta fish	3/31/2008
Q: My betta fish keeps sitting at the bottom. It is almost straight up and down OR it looks like it is ... A: Shirley, You never want to go SMALLER with tank size. Bigger is ALWAYS better (unless of course you ...
white fuzz on mouth	3/31/2008
Q: My son has 2 bala sharks and yesterday we noticed that one has a white fuzz looking substance on his ... A: Sounds like a fungus. You can get Lifegaurd and use it to cure most illnesses. 78 degrees is fine, ...
sick discus	3/30/2008
Q: I'm writing to you in complete desperation. I have a 75 gallon fish tank containing 7 3 inch discus ... A: Daniel - I'm sorry I pressed the wrong button when I was trying to respond to you. I am a bit ...
Soft or hard water for my betta fish?	3/30/2008
Q: I bought a male betta fish 3 weeks ago and the store told me soft water is fine but to use the betta ... A: First of all, anytime you change the water conditions or switch from one type of water to another ...
betta behavioror	3/30/2008
Q: the employee told me that it was a stress tab. when i got home i put him in an aqarium with colorful ... A: Liz, You need to ALWAYS use tap water dechlorinater or conditioner! Tap water has Chlorine and ...
my sick betta fish	3/29/2008
Q: My poor little guy...I feel so bad for him. about a week and a half ago I was out of town and my ... A: Sudden temperature changes can have very bad effects on fish. As long as his temperature changes ...
Take care of fish fry	3/28/2008
Q: My molly fish was pregnant and gave birth last night or in the morning. We didn't see her give ... A: It is always a good idea to have an extra tank already set up in the house to use as a quarantine ...
my sick betta fish	3/28/2008
Q: My poor little guy...I feel so bad for him. about a week and a half ago I was out of town and my ... A: I'm sorry about your betta. How often are you doing water changes? With a one gallon tank, you need ...
betta	3/28/2008
Q: this may be a long question but i have a few! first i bought a betta 4 months ago as a kit with a ... A: Tanya, Bettas as you should know are very aggressive, territorial fish. Having another similar fish ...
Redeyed tetra	3/28/2008
Q: My red-eyed tetra is acting very strange today. i've been noticing he's losing scales and today it ... A: Erin, It sounds like your fish may be flashing. If you have ever noticed your fish rubbing itself on ...
compatible fish	3/28/2008
Q: which shark is compatible to algae fish? A: Are you speaking strictly of fish with the name "shark" in it, like the Bala Shark (which is ...
Is it ick?	3/27/2008
Q: i have a baby biorb,(its four gallons) and i have two balloon bellied mollys in it. One of them has ... A: The dosages for the medication should be on the box. But normally people continue to use the ...
goldfish	3/27/2008
Q: I have my 2-gallon tank with only one 2.5" goldfish in it for 46 days. I change partial water about ... A: Wennie, You have to go by the adult length, not the size it is when it is a baby. You most likely ...
A question about my plecostomus	3/27/2008
Q: I read that neosporin can be used on red sores. I just wanted to confirm that. I have a plecostomus ... A: Unfortunately your tank is a little overcrowded.A Goldfish and Plecostomus both in a ten gallon tank ...
Betta	3/26/2008
Q: I have a year old betta. His name is Bubba. I had to give him to my sister for a few months. Then ... A: Devin, Your betta seems to have been exposed to prolonged stressful conditions and poor water ...
Is it ick?	3/26/2008
Q: i have a baby biorb,(its four gallons) and i have two balloon bellied mollys in it. One of them has ... A: Let's focus on trying to keep the fish you already have alive, shall we? The main focus of any fish ...
goldfish	3/26/2008
Q: I have my 2-gallon tank with only one 2.5" goldfish in it for 46 days. I change partial water about ... A: Wennie, Your tank is far too small even for your goldfish. You need to have at least a 20 gallon ...
My Beta	3/26/2008
Q: I know your not a fish vet, but everyone else is on vacation. My beta has been diagnosed with swim ... A: Just don't feed him for about 2 days, keep his water warm, and clean, and at the end of the two days ...
Sick Betta	3/26/2008
Q: I have a male Betta that i have today realised it has a exposed flesh on one side of its belly? At ... A: If it is indeed a flesh wound, you might be better off using Betta Remedy with some aquarium salt. ...
Listless goldfish	3/25/2008
Q: Yesterday I moved a goldfish from a one gallon bowl to a 10 gallon tank. I also added another ... A: A ten gallon tank is too small for even one goldfish, much less two. Please return your other ...
Betta	3/25/2008
Q: I bought a male Betta from a store about 1 1/2 years ago so I guess he is probably about 2 1/2 years ... A: William, It sounds like he may still be suffering from SBD. Fast him for 48 hours, then on the 3rd ...
new goldfish isnt eating.	3/25/2008
Q: i got a new black and red ryukin(or gold)just yesterday afternoon.when i bring it home and put it in ... A: John, Moving to a new home is stressful for any living thing, including fish. Make sure you have ...
Betta fish depression?	3/25/2008
Q: Last night we cleaned our one beta fish tank that over time had collected lots of algae. Today our ... A: I don't think it has anything to do with being depressed. How large is the tank you're keeping him ...
Betta fish digging gravel	3/25/2008
Q: I have recently decided to care for a beautiful male betta. However, it has been several years since ... A: Betta Splendens need to eat everyday, just like all other fish. There are many misconceptions about ...
Blind Betta	3/25/2008
Q: I have a betta in a breeding box inside a 75 gallon tank with three piranahas. The tank is kept at ... A: I usually suggest a small two gallon or larger tank. A filter and aeration are not necessary, though ...
Goldfish companion	3/24/2008
Q: I have a couple of goldies in a 55gal tank. i was wondering if I could get an algae eater in the ... A: It depends on how many fish you have. You don't want to overstock a goldfish tank. If you have just ...
Blind Betta	3/24/2008
Q: I have a betta in a breeding box inside a 75 gallon tank with three piranahas. The tank is kept at ... A: It also says on bowls that you can put goldfish in them. However, all goldfish grow too large, are ...
Blind Betta	3/24/2008
Q: I have a betta in a breeding box inside a 75 gallon tank with three piranahas. The tank is kept at ... A: Damien, Why on Earth do you have him kept in a breeding box? Get him his own tank, preferably 2 ...
What type of fish can I put in a fish bowl	3/24/2008
Q: I have a 2.5 gallon fish bowl in my office at work. I had a Crowntail Beta in the bowl who is now ... A: Unless you were to put a small filter and heater into your bowl (which is possible) the only fish ...
beta fish wont eat or swim; just floats at top of bowl	3/24/2008
Q: I recently bought betta fish for my children.(3 yr. old twins and a 5 year old) Two of the fish ... A: First of all, you need to stop using distilled water. It's pure, yes, but it has absolutely nothing ...
My betta fish	3/23/2008
Q: Ok first of I would like to say thank you for reading this :) My brother and I both got betta ... A: There are some fungi and bacteria that actually thrive in warmer water. If you suspect that he has ...
goldfish ill	3/23/2008
Q: however, yesterday we went out and when we returned it was curled in half like it was half ... A: Angie, Do you perform regular water tests? It helps to know what the ammonia and nitrite/nitrate ...
why do goldfish jump?	3/22/2008
Q: my problem is that when i go to change the goldfish bowl water , i put my 3 goldfish in a bucket. As ... A: John - First of all, a bowl is WAY too small for even one goldfish - much less three. You need a 50 ...
Betta Tank	3/22/2008
Q: My 1.5 gallon tank is home to my 1 male beta fish. We do a full water change once a month, and 25% ... A: I strongly suggest you start doing complete water changes once a week. One and a half gallons is ...
My dumb fish is hurt!	3/22/2008
Q: My baby tiger barb had a close encounter with the filter. He can barely swim now, and his tankmates ... A: Add aquarium salt (will reduce stress, add electrolytes, and help heal wounds and prevent infection) ...
fish dieases	3/22/2008
Q: My beta suddenly has a bloated stomach. I also have another fish in the same tank, who cannot swim ... A: When a fish develops dropsy, usually caused by poor water conditions, their stomach fills up with ...
Plecostamus	3/22/2008
Q: Do you know much about Plecostamus? My friend bought the neatest Pleco. She doesn't remember what it ... A: It is most likely a hybrid. Plecostomus grow to all different lengths - ranging from about 5 inches ...
Weird goldfish trouble and real live worms	3/21/2008
Q: BACKGROUND The tank has been set up for a couple of months. There was some bouncing around of ... A: David, Something you added to the tank was infected. That's why this is a good idea to have a ...
Why are my fish dying?	3/21/2008
Q: I got an aqaurium for Christmas from my parents, So I set it up with a whole bunch of different ... A: There are some vital pieces of information that are missing that I have to know in order to be able ...
Tetra Question	3/20/2008
Q: I've had many freshwater fish tanks over the years. I've become somewhat knowledgable about it. ... A: As far as I can tell it simply has to do with a fish's natural biorhythm. They need a night and day ...
beta fish	3/20/2008
Q: okay, I was searching the life expectancy of a beta fish and am quite suprised because I swear my ... A: Bettas are short lived fish, but they can live anywhere between 2-8 years when healthy. Yes, they do ...
Goldfish hurting my fish	3/20/2008
Q: i was wondering if my kissing fish can hurt my black moor so please answer back at ... A: Kissing fish are actually a kind of Gourami, and that "kissing" action you may see them do to each ...
goldfish	3/20/2008
Q: I have 14 goldfishes in a fairly large tank. A few days ago, I noticed that their tails didn't glide ... A: Jacky, I doubt you have a tank large enough for 14 goldfish. Fancies grow up to 6 inches in length ...
pet fish	3/19/2008
Q: i have had a black moore for about 2 yrs now. he has turned to an orange color about 1 year ago, ... A: I'm not going to call because though it is about 7 pm here, I'm sure it's closer to 10 there. Now, ...
FIGHTING FISH CHANGING COLOR	3/19/2008
Q: I HAVE A BLUE FIGHTING FISH IN A SMALL VASE CONTAINER THAT IS CHANGING COLOR IN HIS HEAD (TO A ... A: Gaby, Fish will sometimes change color when they are stressed or ill. Make sure his water is warm ...
My betta fish	3/19/2008
Q: Ok first of I would like to say thank you for reading this :) My brother and I both got betta ... A: Nyanen, How large is the container you are keeping your betta in? There are several things you need ...
My betta fish	3/18/2008
Q: Oh, brittany, please help!!! I have a male crowntail betta in a one gallon bowl. His name is ... A: Go to the pet store and buy a two gallon tank. Most won't be much more than ten dollars. Then switch ...
betta fish sam	3/18/2008
Q: i have a betta fish named sam and i had a fried over. she wanted to sketch him so she picked up his ... A: Pheobe, His tail should grow back with time, though it probably won't look the same as it did. Just ...
Betta's Mystery Illness	3/18/2008
Q: About six weeks ago my 6 month old betta (chuck)started sending most of his time on the bottom of ... A: I'm hoping that your degrees are in Celsius, not Fahrenheit. Plecostomus do just fine in warm ...
betta	3/18/2008
Q: Can a beta live in a fresh-water aquarium? We have an aquarium that we had other fish in, but they ... A: Betta's are freshwater fish. So, yes. I suggest looking up more info on fish keeping, so you will do ...
pet Betta	3/18/2008
Q: I have my pet betta in a rather small (about 1/2 gallon) aquarium. I see that many others keep ... A: Julie, While bettas do originally live in small bodies of water, the common misconception about them ...
Goldfish (have to leave on vacation)	3/18/2008
Q: I have a big problem i have 2 tanks and with 5 fish (2-3 each) but i am going on vacation for 15 ... A: As long as you have large enough tanks with filters this should work just fine. Just keep in mind, ...
Green stuff growing on my betta fish	3/17/2008
Q: I have had my betta for about 6 months. 2months ago he started growig green stuff on his mnouth face ... A: Ashley, It's very possible that it is algae growing on your fish. I would not add any chemical too ...
Beta Color Fading	3/17/2008
Q: I purchased a beta from Wal-Mart about 3 weeks ago and he has been doing really well. Last week, ... A: Your betta is suffering from malnutrition, most likely. You don't want to use distilled water with ...
can 2 female bettas be roomates?	3/16/2008
Q: I know male bettas can't be put in the same tank, but what about 2 females? I have one female ... A: Yes a one gallon is too small for two. If you get a ten gallon tank then they should get along just ...
My male Betta wont eat.	3/16/2008
Q: I purchased a male Betta from Walmart (probably my first mistake) about 2 weeks ago. His fins were a ... A: Honestly, I would return him. The problem with buying pets as charity cases or to "rescue" them ...
water quality	3/16/2008
Q: I have a 20g freshwater tank. I've been keeping fish for about 6 years but have never had any single ... A: Unfortunately you don't have many other options available to you. As far as Cichlids go, there are ...
Siamese Fighter fish	3/16/2008
Q: Hey, Um I was Just wondering, i have a red Siamese fighting fish, and he/she is quite big. I would ... A: Chances are your fish is male. When they have those long fins, they are male. Females are generally ...
betta eggs	3/15/2008
Q: I just got 3 Beta fish 2 are female and 1 is a male. one of the female has laid some eggs ,what can ... A: You will need to remove the females straight away as they may eat the eggs, and the fathers are ...
oscar	3/15/2008
Q: i have an oscar fish. for the past 3weeks it will not come to the top to eat as it has since i have ... A: I am wondering, what size tank is your Oscar in? They need at least a 55 gallon tank, as they grow ...
Crowntail Male Betta	3/14/2008
Q: I have had a Crowntail male betta for about 4 months. I purchased him from my local PetsMart. ... A: Alex, First of all, put him back into that larger bowl right this instant! ;) You will want to make ...
sore tail :(	3/14/2008
Q: I have had a crowntail beta for about 1-2 yrs. This morning I noticed a large sore on the edge of ... A: Many things can cause sores on fish such as fights with other fish, scraping on sharp rocks or ...
torn guppy tails	3/13/2008
Q: I recently got a tank and I put 4 guppies and one beta. I noticed that the beta had turned out to ... A: They will grow back, but they will never look "quite right". Bettas should only be housed in tanks ...
My fish are blowing up like balloons	3/13/2008
Q: I have a 30 gallon fresh water tank that has been running with no issues for about 5 years. I have ... A: That sounds awful. What are the other fish that you have? You should always know what kind of fish ...
30 gallon aquarium	3/13/2008
Q: hey i've got a pretty broad question to ask. i've got a 30 gallon long aquarium with a penn-plax ... A: You'll want to put your Oscar into a 55 gallon tank or larger very soon. If a fish stays in a small ...
What's wrong with my betta	3/12/2008
Q: I have had my betta for about 2 years now and he's been extremely active until recently. For about ... A: What size tank do you have him in? Anything under one gallon is not acceptable. Also, make sure you ...
Rainbow shark rubbing against fake plants	3/12/2008
Q: I am new to owning a rainbow shark (Rambo). Yesterday I noticed that my shark was rubbing up ... A: Sabrina, If he has Ich you should be able to see it on him. They resemble white dots, or sometimes ...
Betta Fish isn't eating	3/12/2008
Q: OK, so I bought my betta fish awhile ago, about january, and he's been perfectly fine until about a ... A: Kelsey, Anything under one gallon for any fish is considered cruel, please put him into a larger ...
Betta has an air pocket IN his fin?	3/12/2008
Q: We have a male betta. This afternoon I noticed that his left bottom fin was not closing right. I ... A: This doesn't sound familiar to me. Unless if you are mistaking some sort of disease for an air ...
Big Eye Betta 911	3/11/2008
Q: I have just noticed today that my male beta has a VERY big eye (only one, not both) and is "hazed" ... A: Sounds similar to cloudy eye. This usually occurs when a fish is exposed to poor water quality ...
Rainbow shark rubbing against fake plants	3/11/2008
Q: I am new to owning a rainbow shark (Rambo). Yesterday I noticed that my shark was rubbing up ... A: Unfortunately, scratching against rocks and decor is a sign of parasites. I would use some ...
i think my beta is dying	3/11/2008
Q: "my beta is at the top of his tank and sometimes is laying sideways he is a crown tail and he is ... A: Betta's do not need a water pump or any kind of aeration in their tank. Keep it off, along with any ...
i think my betta is dying	3/11/2008
Q: my beta is at the top of his tank and sometimes is laying sideways he is a crown tail and he is ... A: What your betta has is SBD, which is Swim Bladder Disease. This occurs normally when you overfeed ...
I think my goldfish is dying :(	3/9/2008
Q: I have a black goldfish that has started to turn an orangey colour and is floating on his side and ... A: Yes, your bowl is too small. A goldfish should be in a 20 gallon tank. They are simply too large ...
My Sponge	3/9/2008
Q: Just today I bought a Betta named Sponge. He is in a 40 gallon tank, and he seems very lonely. I ... A: Do you mean fan tail goldfish? I'm not sure what the fan tail is referring to, if you are speaking ...
popeye	3/9/2008
Q: I have recently moved and my Betta I didn't think was going to make the trip. I have had it more ... A: Laura, Popeye and a lot of other fish diseases will go away on their own when you keep the water ...
Mickey Mouse Platy crooked back....	3/9/2008
Q: I am new to this whole fish keeping thing. My daughter loves fish and so for Halloween, we got her ... A: Kristine, I do not think it is at all necessary to "flush" a fish every single time you see a ...
New fish tank	3/8/2008
Q: Our 46 gallon tank was set up 3 weeks ago. After 2 days, we put 20 fish in the tank which I now ... A: Debbie, You never want to add more than three fish each week - and that rule is a little sketchy ...
my fish can't stay away from the top even though it tries to!	3/8/2008
Q: I've been taking care of my friends beta fish for the week of spring break and at first the fish was ... A: Sounds like his bubble nest. Nothing to worry about - sometimes they may appear frothy. Also, it ...
Not sure of beta is sick or not?	3/8/2008
Q: I picked up a beta for my office desk and at first he was doing really well. Ate well and got mad at ... A: As I said you'll want to have at LEAST one gallon of water for the little guy. Two liters is really ...
mickey mouse platy	3/8/2008
Q: I have an orange Mickey mouse platy that was pregnant but is no longer, and she is not eating and is ... A: I suggest not using the breeder box again. They usually cause more stress than anything else, and a ...
breeding of green terrors	3/7/2008
Q: is it necessary to keep male and female green terror in the same tank for breeding or once female ... A: Sorry to say this is outside my area of expertise. You may be able to find the answer on a Green ...
sick betta fish	3/7/2008
Q: We had a betta fish for nearly two years- it died this summer. Since then we have lost another one, ... A: What exactly did you test the well water for? There may be hidden minerals and hard metals that you ...
platy	3/7/2008
Q: i have a red wagtail platy that has developed dark spots(not parasites) and now has got a crooked ... A: Patrick, I have stated many times in my answers to various questioners that you can never truly tell ...
My Beta is not eating!	3/6/2008
Q: My Beta (Freida) has not eat anything for about 2 weeks now. She just lays around the tank. ... A: Adding "hot water" to her tank is a huge no-no. Whenever you change her water, you always want to ...
Not sure of beta is sick or not?	3/6/2008
Q: I picked up a beta for my office desk and at first he was doing really well. Ate well and got mad at ... A: Yes this is something to worry about. How large is his tank? I always recommend having at least a ...
sick silver shark	3/6/2008
Q: Our silver shark has become inactive recently, and it has light patches on the side of its body. ... A: .. What did you mean when you say you cleaned the tank out? Did you take out ALL of the water and ...
female beta	3/6/2008
Q: We have two female beta's in the same bowl. Petco said it was ok...well one of them is constantly ... A: It is actually not a good idea to put two females in such a small space. It is possible to have a ...
acting odd	3/6/2008
Q: my wife and i were wondering what is up with our beta he just lays on the bottom of our fish tank is ... A: It is possible that he is stressed out. Make sure you are cleaning out his tank regularly - at least ...
scale problem	3/5/2008
Q: heya, i have a male gouramis in one of my fish tanks, and i feed him one blood worm by hand everyday ... A: It may be internal parasites then. They do sell anti-parasitic medicine, you might try incorporating ...
About platy	3/5/2008
Q: how are you? im good, i was just wondering how do you know if a female platy is pragnant? and how ... A: A pregnant female platy will have a rather large stomach, and appear sort of "boxy". It shouldn't ...
proper care	3/5/2008
Q: A woman left work and did not take her fish with her. The fish is a Beta but with no color, he is ... A: Betta Splendens, or Siamese fighting fish are actually one of the easiest fish to care for. Just ...
Sick goldfish?	3/5/2008
Q: I have a black moor who has now lost her colour and turned orange. Recently black has appeared on ... A: Goldfish change colors often because their color pigments are unstable. However if her fins are ...
Fish	3/5/2008
Q: I am new to the whole fish thing and i am not sure about everything.I would like to get 4 Mollies in ... A: There are several different species of angelfish - including marine species. So it is going to ...
Beta fish has holes in fins and tail	3/4/2008
Q: My beta has clearish gaps between the veins in all his fins. His fins are also getting holes in ... A: Holes in fins are not a healthy sign. Unfortunately for fish, when they are unhealthy, they cannot ...
Old Fish	3/4/2008
Q: Brittany, i have a gold fish that is in a regular freshwater tank all by himself. He is at least 7 ... A: You'd be surprised what some fish can live through. Goldfish are actually very long lived fish, ...
sick beta fish	3/4/2008
Q: For some days now my beta's been very sick. He stopped eating and spent all his time at the top of ... A: It can be easy for a novice fish keeper - or even an expert to miss illness in fish. They are good ...
white spots on my fish	3/4/2008
Q: well i have just cleaned my tank 6 days ago and i got rid of my very large plucko and traded him 4 a ... A: What size tank is it? I hope you have the appropriate size for that many fish. White spots on your ...
My fish is dying	3/4/2008
Q: I changed my fish's water and now he is starting to tilt! I don't know what went wrong (his bowl ... A: I don't have much information to go by. What kind of fish? How large is the bowl? A gallon? What ...
sluggish goldfish	3/3/2008
Q: About 6 weeks ago I bought three goldfish (of various types), one of which had only one eye. They ... A: Unfortunately the biggest problem I see here is that you had them all in a bowl for almost two ...
Black Moore	3/3/2008
Q: I have purchased two black moores about one month ago. They both were normal in the beginning, but ... A: I'm sorry to say that I can not help much without very many details. The size, and temperature of ...
Female Guppy chased	3/3/2008
Q: I am new to have fish as pets, and have some limited success with my tanks so far. I have a 10 ... A: You female guppy is going to have more babies. The large belly and black vent is a surefire way to ...
Bottom-belly fish	3/2/2008
Q: I have two bottom-belly fish living in a 5 gallon fish tank with a heater and filter. I have only ... A: Unfortunately there is no such thing as a bottom-belly fish. Perhaps you mean balloon belly molly or ...
salamander	3/2/2008
Q: My boyfriend and I just found a salamander. We put him in 10 gallon tank with gravel, a good sized ... A: You are actually in the fish section, and this is pretty much out of my expertise. However, I would ...
scale problem	3/2/2008
Q: heya, i have a male gouramis in one of my fish tanks, and i feed him one blood worm by hand everyday ... A: First off, I hope you are feeding him more than just one bloodworm everyday. Fish need more food ...
betta eye issue	3/2/2008
Q: A little back story... I adopted my Betta almost a year ago from a friend and he's always been a ... A: Those missed water changes are not good. You need to be doing a complete water change EVERY week. ...
betta	3/2/2008
Q: I have a 10gal tank with 5 female bettas. I cycled the tank for 3 weeks before putting the girls ... A: I'm not sure what TC is, but I'm going to guess you mean Tetracycline? You should not use medication ...
important fish problems HELP!	3/1/2008
Q: look i have a fish which woke up in the morning and had kind of big red round thing on his fin and a ... A: Sounds like a possible mixture between popeye and something else. Go to a pet store, find the fish ...
Fish	2/29/2008
Q: I am new to the whole fish thing and i am not sure about everything.I would like to get 4 Mollies in ... A: Unfortunately, if you want Mollies it's better to have a ten or twenty gallon tank. They will be ...
betta acting funny	2/28/2008
Q: I've had my betta for about 1 year now and he's been completely healthy and happy. In the past week ... A: If the water is too cold his metabolism can slow waaay down and make him feel lethargic. Be sure ...
Lethargic Puffer	2/28/2008
Q: my green spotted puffer fish is about 1.5 inches in length living in a 10 gallon brackish aquarium. ... A: Yes there could still be something in the water. Just keep doing small frequent water changes and it ...
babies	2/28/2008
Q: We just had Mickey Mouse Playtie babies and were going to put them in a separate tank we set up. It ... A: Are you putting the parents in that tank or the babies? If you are putting in the babies, take out ...
is my fish ill	2/28/2008
Q: nt look like he was moving so i gave him a little push he sort of jumped and sank to the bottem and ... A: Yes he does sound as though he is not feeling well. What temperature do you keep his tank at? How ...
play dead	2/28/2008
Q: my fish always plays dead and i cant tell if hes alive and i have a question on what i should feed ... A: Jacob, I will need a lot more details before I can help you in anyway. Every single fish is going ...
Green Tiger Barbs and Tinfoil Barbs	2/27/2008
Q: We have 4 Green Tiger barbs - 3 of which have a little bright red on all their fins and one smaller ... A: Wild Tiger barbs are very prolific and will usually become sexually mature when it reaches a length ...
Guppy pregnancy and babies	2/27/2008
Q: I am new the the aquarium life and I just got a 50 gallon tank. I bought 4 female guppies and 1 ... A: Yes to my knowledge that is true. But also to my knowledge the babies usually take more after the ...
Lucky bumps	2/27/2008
Q: My fish Lucky has developed a couple bumps, one near the dorsal fin and one just below it on his ... A: You don't want to constantly leave him under bright lighting, as this is very stressful and betta ...
Betta Living	2/27/2008
Q: I just ran across this website and was hoping that maybe you can give me some answers to the ... A: It is indeed possible for a few females to co-exist peacefully. However, this is usually done in ...
To many options for sick fish	2/27/2008
Q: Alright so recently MOST of my aquariums have broken out in mass desease... or should I say plague. ... A: Yes Mike, that was VERY lengthy question. ;) I will try to remember as many details as possible to ...
Feeding Betta "TetraVacation"	2/27/2008
Q: My daughter received two betta in a double tank for Valentines Day. Is it alright to feed them ... A: No this is a bad idea. Those feeders are meant for larger tanks with filters. Chances are your water ...
betta's in the wild	2/26/2008
Q: I was wondering how wild betta fish can survive together if in a tank they kill each other? How can ... A: Betta Splendens can in fact co-exist, but they must have a large body of water to separate their ...
Lethargic Puffer	2/26/2008
Q: my green spotted puffer fish is about 1.5 inches in length living in a 10 gallon brackish aquarium. ... A: What are you feeding your puffer? They need to have a diet consisting mainly of snails, brine ...
Ammonia	2/26/2008
Q: I have a 55gal freshwater aquarium,1-2 ins. of gravel. Aquaclear Power Filter with ... A: The problem is actually very simple. Your tank has not yet cycled, and you are therefore overstocked ...
Betta Fish - ? tumor	2/26/2008
Q: I have had my betta for 2 years.... I keep it in a glass bowl My betta developed what used to be a ... A: It is possible that your fish has Lymphocystis Virus, which is untreatable. It resembles a small ...
male betta	2/26/2008
Q: I have a male betta, have had him for a year or so. He was a beautiful royal blue when we got him. ... A: Sometimes fish will indeed change their color, especially go paler, when they are stressed out. ...
beta	2/25/2008
Q: my daughter has a beta and we have it in a glass bowl. Use spring water, and change it 1X per week. ... A: What is the temperature in the bowl? Siamese Fighting Fish come from warm waters (75-85 degrees F) ...
gold fish sick	2/25/2008
Q: i have 4 gold fish one is bloated, one is hanging around the bottom on his side swimming in circles ... A: It may or may not help. The best thing for him at this point is a LOT of fresh, clean water. Keep ...
Silver Mollies	2/25/2008
Q: My sister and I have 2 silver mollies and they started out looking like all the other silver ... A: Sounds like you have a sailfin mollie. They are very pretty and have huge dorsal fins, unless there ...
My new betta fish,,,, again	2/25/2008
Q: i just recently e-mailed you about my betta fish and i got food specifically for betta with ... A: This is not normal in the least. Are you keeping his water clean? He may have been in terrible ...
Betta fish acting strange	2/24/2008
Q: I got my male betta in January and he has been absolutely fine. He is currently housed in a 2.5 ... A: This is normally the sign of a stressed fish. Try adding some more foliage for him, and change the ...
Fresh water Fish	2/23/2008
Q: My grandkids just received a 10 gal.tank. Their Mom wants it to be freshwater. We would like to know ... A: There are a number of things that go into stocking a tank, and number of fish depends greatly on the ...
bettafish isn't eating	2/23/2008
Q: I've had my betta fish for 3 months. We just got back from a trip two weeks ago and it was a little ... A: Krysten, The best thing you can do for a fish like this is keep his water super clean, and keep him ...
My New Betta Fish	2/23/2008
Q: I don't really know the normal behaviors of the fish but I've been observing his behavior and I'm ... A: Are you feeding him a brand made specifically for bettas? They are strictly carnivores and require a ...
Sick Goldfish UK	2/23/2008
Q: We have a goldfish approximately 12 years old. For the last few weeks it has just been leaning to ... A: There is a possibility that he either has swim bladder problems, which goldfish are very prone to, ...
bubblenest	2/23/2008
Q: So I bought two Betta fish and as a studying geneticist I thought it would be a cool project to ... A: Add some floating leaves to the top, keep the water warm, and do frequent small water changes. You ...
sick beta	2/22/2008
Q: I am treating my fish for Dropsy like you suggested. He has stopped eating though. He acts like he ... A: Try feeding him blood worms. If that won't work, see if you can find micro worms or liquid fish food ...
fish	2/22/2008
Q: i have 2 questions Q1 2 of my fish are pregnant and we have had baby fish before but they all got ... A: To your first question, simply move the babies or the adults to a separate tank until they are large ...
high ammonia / low p.h	2/22/2008
Q: I have had approx. 6 months of problems with ammonia in my tank and have been trying to work ... A: Okay, first - stop adding ammolock. It honestly does you no good. You need to instead work on ...
please help	2/21/2008
Q: I had a betta who died a few days ago. I would really appreciate it if you told me what was wrong as ... A: What size tank did you have him in? It's possible that he was used to either really poor water ...
puffer fish	2/20/2008
Q: I'm not sure if you can help me with this, but maybe you can direct me to someone who can. I ... A: Ashley, I'm sure it's very possible. But try not to get your hopes up until the puffer has been ...
Betta	2/20/2008
Q: I bought a beautiful male Betta almost two weeks ago. He looks healthy but he will not eat. I feed ... A: Remember that fish are very small creatures, and don't need to eat as much as you may think. A ...
sick beta	2/20/2008
Q: My beta fish is bloated, his scales are raised, and some of his scales have black spots on them. I ... A: I'm sorry to tell you that your fish almost positively has dropsy. You might be able to treat him ...
puffer fish	2/20/2008
Q: I'm not sure if you can help me with this, but maybe you can direct me to someone who can. I ... A: I would type in pet store, and the abbreviation for your state in a search engine like Google to see ...
gold fish sick	2/19/2008
Q: i have 4 gold fish one is bloated, one is hanging around the bottom on his side swimming in circles ... A: I guarantee you that if you put all your goldfish into a much larger tank they will survive. A ten ...
Betta	2/19/2008
Q: I have a 2 year old male beta and two days ago I noticed his belly being a bit bloated. Today I ... A: Unfortunately it is almost certain that your fish has dropsy. The scales sticking out is a dead ...
puffer fish	2/19/2008
Q: I'm not sure if you can help me with this, but maybe you can direct me to someone who can. I ... A: Oh...where to start? Okay, first I will tell you about the brackish/freshwater issue. Most puffers ...
Breeding Bettas	2/18/2008
Q: i just had a few questions reguarding breeding bettas. I was planning on trying to breed them ... A: Sounds pretty good so far, though there are a few small things I would add/change. First, they ...