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About Nathan
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer all questions related to freshwater aquariums. If I am not available because I am maxed out, you can find me on the Aquarium Plants category. Fish care, fish behavior, feeding, breeding, and diseases are my specialty. To be specific, I am most familiar (though I am familiar with most species) with Livebearers, Tetras, Barbs, Danios, Loaches, Goldfish, Angelfish (freshwater), Catfish (corydoras, plecos, etc.), Bettas, shrimp, and even snails. I can help out with new tank setups, the cycling process (nitrogen cycle), acclimation of fish, and general care. I can also answer questions regarding many species of freshwater plants, including fish compatibility with plants. Additionally, I can lend a hand when it comes to aquarium support equipment questions, such as those regarding filters, heaters, lighting, and thermometers. Questions about aquarium water conditioners and products are also accepted. I will try to answer your question to the best of my abilities, and if I do not know an answer, I will do my best to find out. I do not have much experience in saltwater aquariums, or pressurized CO2 systems, so I cannot answer any such questions. Best wishes, and good luck to your fish!

Experience
I have kept freshwater fish tanks for many years, and I am experienced with a variety of different freshwater species and invertebrates, such as Tetras, Barbs, Loaches, Danios, Livebearers, Cichlids, Goldfish, Bettas, Catfish, Shrimp, and Snails. I have helped people set up aquariums, and I am very familiar with aquarium products and equipment. I have also bred many fish, and I always care for my fish in the best way possible. What makes a good home for tropical fish? Well, all tropical fish, like guppies and Bettas, require filters, heaters, and a good-sized tank. Healthy fish should be actively swimming and feeding, with defined fins and clear eyes. Take a random check of some of your fish daily, to make sure they're thriving!

Education/Credentials
I own an extensive collection of aquarium-related books and magazines, and have read all about, and I am experienced in, many aspects of humane and proper fishkeeping. Through these books and other articles, from reliable internet sources, and from personal experience with fish, I have a thorough knowledge of freshwater aquariums, fish, and freshwater plant species.

   

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

SubjectDate AskedExpert

Baby Mollies and Ick11/10/2009Karen Fields
  Q: I noticed the common ick on my fish yesterday. I haven't treated it yet because... i have molly ...
  A: Sadly, when you notice ick on one or two individual fish. Usually the others are soon to show up the ...
guppies with flat stomachs?11/9/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: i have been owning and breeding guppies for about 3 years now and every couple of months some of ...
  A: You need to do weekly water changes of 25-30%. The reason some of your fry are getting flat stomachs ...
Melafix & Tropical Fish11/9/2009Karen Fields
  Q: My situation involves pop eye. First, a few stats to help you out: Tank: Eclipse System 3 (with ...
  A: Sorry to hear about the fish trouble you've been having. I believe that Melafix is safe for ...
White Spot11/9/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: i have recently had trouble with white spot in my biorb containing 10 neon tetras and one male ...
  A: Well first thing first you should know the general rule of stocking fish. For every 1 inch of fish ...
guppies...11/9/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: I didn't know that you should only have one goldfish per 10 gallons which is what i have. i feel ...
  A: I'm very pleased to hear that your giving your Goldfish back. In reality a healthy adult Goldfish of ...
fish11/8/2009Karen Fields
  Q: what fish could i keep in a 5 gallon tank
  A: Small fish like tetras (neons, glowlights, cardinals) Otocinclus catfish, male guppies, white ...
plecostamus.11/7/2009Karen Fields
  Q: We have a tank with 2 large goldfish and have high nitrites we were told to turn the heater off can ...
  A: Plecos can actually do okay in cooler water. But I would keep the heater turned on due to the colder ...
R/O water and minerals...11/6/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: I normally would use reverse osmosis water for my pet betta. Recently I have read from a few ...
  A: I really believe there shouldn't be anything wrong with your R/O water that would have any bad ...
my shark11/6/2009Karen Fields
  Q: i have 2 columbian sharks and one of them has a very large belly but he/she hasnt ate anything but a ...
  A: Columbian sharks can be a bit difficult to take care of due to demanding water requirements. When ...
salt11/6/2009michael mccorry
  Q: We have a 36 gal. tank it has 2 giant gold fish. The nitrites have been really high since we set it ...
  A: cathy, right now I would change 25% of the water, stirr the gravel up really well and siphon from ...
Beginner Fish11/6/2009Richard Hight
  Q: What types of fish make good cycle fish and how many should I use?
  A: It greatly depends on what type of tank you want to keep. For a peaceful community tank, Zebra ...
Betta11/6/2009Richard Hight
  Q: I've read where it is recommended that a Betta be kept in a 5 gallon tank. If I keep my Betta in a 5 ...
  A: A 5 gallon is too small to add anyone with your Betta. A 10 gallon is the minimal size for a Betta ...
Angels11/6/2009Richard Hight
  Q: I have a 60 gallon freshwater tank that I want to put Angelfish in. What types of fish would go with ...
  A: Angels should be kept in groups of at least 4 and should be the primary fish in the tank. I have an ...
sick fish?11/5/2009Nathan
  Q: I have fairly recently upgraded my fish tank form a 30 gal to a 55 gal tank. I only have 4 fish in ...
  A: Swimming upside down is definitely a strange thing... But if you've had this fish for a long time, I ...
cold water fish tank11/5/2009michael mccorry
  Q: I have had my fish tank set up for 3 to 4 weeks it is a 2ft fish tank but the water is cloudy and ...
  A: jennifer, take a magnet cleaner or the like and break up the bubbles, nothing to worry about. keep ...
help please??11/5/2009michael mccorry
  Q: Can you tell me what order i should be setting up my filter? I have a top filter setup with ...
  A: darren, you can "sandwich" the media between two layers of wool actually, will make things easier. ...
help11/5/2009Nathan
  Q: Can you tell me what order i should be setting up my filter? I have a top filter setup with carbon, ...
  A: Because each brand of filter is different, I'm not sure if the water flows from up or down. If you ...
African Cichlids dying11/5/2009Karen Fields
  Q: . I have a 55gal tank with around 8 African Cichlids. I have had the tank for almost a year now, and ...
  A: I'm reluctant to say that this is truly a disease but I'd prefer to say this is an environmental ...
correct filter setup11/4/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: Can you tell me what order i should be setting up my filter? I have a top filter setup with carbon, ...
  A: Your filter should be performing fine. Just remember to replace your carbon once a month. As for ...
Angelfish not eating....11/4/2009Karen Fields
  Q: We have an Angelfish - not sure of the age, but we've had it a while (7+ years). She has recently ...
  A: I'm sorry to hear that. The angelfish may be having some trouble due to old age. She is getting up ...
My betta has some problems11/4/2009Richard Hight
  Q: My crowntail betta has been darting/flashing for over a week now without any signs of white spot or ...
  A: Darting around the tank is usually a sign of a parasite or bacterial infection. I would add 1 tsp of ...
What is the cause of my guppy getting fat?11/4/2009Nathan
  Q: I have a female guppy that's a little fat. I took it out of the tank and put it in a goldfish bowl. ...
  A: That description DOES seem like Swim Bladder Disease. I couldn't tell from your first question ...
Cycling11/4/2009Nathan
  Q: I have a 75 litre (no clue about gallons!) fresh water tank. I have a heater(set at 26C). Not sure ...
  A: Congratulations on getting the ammonia and nitrite under control! You did everything right! Ammonia ...
What is the cause of my guppy getting fat?11/4/2009Nathan
  Q: I have a female guppy that's a little fat. I took it out of the tank and put it in a goldfish bowl. ...
  A: You're worrying too much! It's perfectly natural for a fish's stomach to become bigger when you take ...
Hardness11/3/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: For soft water how can I make the water a little harder or will the fish be okay in soft water? ...
  A: Soft water is generally a good thing as all of the fish you mentioned naturally come from softer ...
black moor11/3/2009Karen Fields
  Q: we just got a black moor. we have a 5 gallon tank with a filter and also have a goldfish. The pet ...
  A: The black moor and other goldfish likely will be fine together. As long as both types are getting ...
funny bugs in our tank11/3/2009Nathan
  Q: recently we found funny little critters in our tank. About 1cm long, they are little antennaed ...
  A: They could possibly be Planaria. These are light-dark brownish slug-like creatures that can be found ...
cloudy fish tank11/3/2009Nathan
  Q: i have a thirty gallon fish tank with only guppies in it. There are 13 guppies in the tank. I have ...
  A: Green water is the result of an algae bloom. The form of algae you are experiencing is suspended in ...
Is he sick?11/3/2009Nathan
  Q: I'm sure you are excited to hear from me again. I have to tell you that back home I have a nice 29 ...
  A: It's nice to hear back from you again! I hope all is well with your aquariums - I'm sure they're ...
aquarium water conditions11/3/2009Nathan
  Q: i have a large pacu in a tank. i used a water test kit and it said the tank's water is acidic. i did ...
  A: Your acidity can be reduced by performing a series of partial water changes of about 20%. Try a 20% ...
Nitrite is high in freshwater tank11/2/2009Nathan
  Q: To: Nathan I have 55 gallon fish tank. I have discus fish and angel fish in the tank. I notice my ...
  A: How long has this tank been set up? Judging from the fact that you have Discus fish, I'll assume ...
what kind of fish are these?11/2/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: I adopted these fish and have been watching carefully the last few days. The silver & black humped ...
  A: There are two possibilities for their dorsal fins being serrated. Either it is genetic and that is ...
funny bugs in our tank11/2/2009Nathan
  Q: recently we found funny little critters in our tank. About 1cm long, they are little antennaed ...
  A: That's rather puzzling! They sound like freshwater aquarium shrimp, but there's no reason that ...
Blood Parrot Cichlid Behavior11/2/2009Nathan
  Q: I have a Blood Parrot cichlid that I rescued approximately a month ago. When I obtained her (not ...
  A: Behavior like this is not very common in Blood Parrots. The only time when they can get aggressive ...
Can I mix tetras with gold fish11/2/2009Karen Fields
  Q: I just bought two tetras, an algae eater, 2 gold fish and an albino frog....These guys have been ...
  A: Are these your first fish? You should check out some good fishkeeping websites that will help answer ...
FISH HELP !!!!!!11/2/2009Nathan
  Q: my guppy just had babys what should i feed them????HELP
  A: Newborn Guppies can be fed a whole variety of foods available from your local fish store. There are ...
what kind of fish are these?11/2/2009Michael Freynet
  Q: I adopted these fish and have been watching carefully the last few days. The silver & black humped ...
  A: The two red fish are long-finned Serpae Tetras. Like all Tetras they like to be in schools of three ...
Red Bellied Piranha11/1/2009Nathan
  Q: Hey Nathan, my tank is doing well, im about ready to add the gouramis, i think the nitrigenb cycle ...
  A: Hey Mike, It's great to hear that your tank is doing well! Don't forget to get the Otos some algae ...
All my levels in my tank are perfect, should I still do a PWC?11/1/2009Karen Fields
  Q: I have a freshwater tropical tank, I have not done a water change for 15 days and all my levels are ...
  A: It is always possible the tests -might- be false. Regardless of how many aquatic plants are present ...
Fin rot11/1/2009Nathan
  Q: I have baby mollys and i think they have fin rot. There is a bite out of the top fin and and white ...
  A: That definitely sounds like fin rot. Fin rot is a bacterial disease that is quite common. ...

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Questions by
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Nicole PutnamAlex KlineChris Robbins
Michael FreynetChrisKaren Fields
Krista Yobtimm irvinNathan
Josh SeanWilliam Covingtonmichael mccorry
Richard HightAaron 

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