AboutShorty Expertise ~my dad got mad and took away my internet. dont kno when ill have it back. sorry...~
I will answer all questions as best I can, and if I am unsure of the answer, I will be willing to do research. I can answer questions about tetras, especially neon tetras. I can also answer questions on common diseases and parasites and how to treat them, and tank setups, maintenance, and cleaning. I can provide info. on cichlids (including breeding), goldfish, raising and breeding fancy guppies, and feeding your fish. If I don’t know the answer to your question, I will research and tell you my findings.
Experience I am 16 years old, but I have owned at least one fish tank since I was in elementary school. I now have a tank dedicated to raising and breeding fancy guppies, with much success. I have another tank with goldfish, which I’ve had the longest, and a larger tank with convict cichlid cichlids, which I have successfully bred, jewel cichlids, and an oscar. I’ve also raised and bred other cichlids as well. I used to have two other tanks, one with angel fish, and the other with tetras, which I recently got rid of. I’ve raised other fish such as catfish and gouramis along the way too. Since I have had fish so long I know much about diseases, and parasites, and how to treat them.
At the time i am writing this now i have:
1 Oscar
2 Jewel Cichlids
1 betta
6 goldfish
1 Kuhli loach
1 Rainbow shark
1 pleco
25 guppies
6 adult convict cichlids
30 young convict cichlids
Organizations I am hoping to volunteer at Hawk Creek.
Education/Credentials im only 16.... but I've been on the honor role my whole life(averages in the mid 90's), and im taking college courses in highschool.
Expert: Shorty Date: 8/30/2007 Subject: whats wrong with my beta
Question Hi Stacey. My beta is lying on his side at the bottom of the tank. He has been like this for 2 days, and I thought he was dying but now I'm not to sure. He will go up to the top to get air but goes right back to the bottom. What can I do to help him?
Answer hey Cynthia! its funny cuz i just answered a question like this not long ago. ;p Sometimes a betta will act sick but not exhibit any symptoms. He could either have internal parasites, or some mild bacterial infection, or simply be depressed. Bettas often become depressed when they are first jarred as young fries, and get separated from their siblings. Also, males often become depressed after spawning, but any betta can do this. A depressed betta will stop eating and swimming around and may let himself starve to death. This is not as unusual as one may think!
heres what you should do, make a full water change for bowls or a 70% water change for tanks. Isolate any suspected sick betta. medicate the tank, i would suggest MelaFix, in case of a mild bacterial infection or parasite. If the betta was just spawned or just jarred, and it is likely to simply have depression: In the case of a newly jarred young betta, float his bowl inside the tank where his siblings still are. This should help him cope with the isolation. In the case of a male who has just been spawned or female, try floating him inside a tank containing lots of other bettas, females preferably.
