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About Nathan
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 > Is he sick?

Freshwater Aquarium - Is he sick?

Expert: Nathan - 11/3/2009

Question
Hello! I'm sure you are excited to hear from me again. I have to tell you that back home I have a nice 29 gallon tank for all my fishes, which is actually big enough! During most of the year my little babies are stuck in their ten gallons though. I just returned from getting my water tested and the pet store guy was really suprised because my water is absolutely perfect.

In one of my 10 gallon tanks (I'll call it the baby tank) I have around 9 baby GLOfish (danios) that are nearly grown up! They are doing fantastic and are nicely plump and brightly colored. Along with those fish though, I have two Kulhi loaches (I'll have to tell you that story later), a bristlenosed pleco(I think because he has some serious whiskers), a golden algae eater (I'm not crazy) and a female betta. I know that is WAAAY to many fish for a 10 gallon but it is the best I can do when I'm in my dorm room. I keep the tanks in perfect condition (extra cleaning) and none of my problems can be related to problems with the water.

That said, I have had my nice bristle nose pleco since May (I think). He was tiny with little white spots and white tips on his tail when I got him, but now he is much larger (which is just fine) and his spots are yellow now. I feed him mostly zuccini every night, and he likes it raw actually. It has been like this for most of the time I've had him, but his poop is white, and its not in strings. The pieces are only like 1/4 of an inch long, and everywhere, of course. Is there something wrong with him? Why is his poop white and why is he yellow? Did I do something wrong?

(side note- my golden algae eater has gotten bigger since I got him, but he and my pleco get along just fine.)

(another side note- When I moved back into my dorm I accidently left one of my Kulhi loaches in my big tank at home. The filter was turned off and no more food was put in there for six weeks, and I found him in that tank still alive when I came home after those six weeks! Isnt that amazing? He is plenty spoiled now, dont worry)

Oh yeah, I feed the loaches with shrimp pellets and every now in then I put in some bloodworms and brine shrimp. My fish have it made. These tanks arent that big, but they're in perfect condition and they get the best food. I even have driftwood in both tanks. :D

Answer
Hi Kelley,

It's nice to hear back from you again! I hope all is well with your aquariums - I'm sure they're beautiful!

Your Loach probably survived off micro-organisms living inside the tank. There may have been some snails that he ate. What a success story! Your tank was probably in such perfect condition that he survived!

The spots' color changing could simply be due to age. Most adult fish will lose the color they had as juveniles. For the most amazing example of this, type in "Emperor Angelfish" in Google Images. Both the first and second pictures are the same fish - the second one's just grown up! (try this - it'll amaze you)

Is the white poop a very recent thing? If it's been like this for the whole time, there's obviously no problem. If it's recent, then there may be a problem such as intestinal parasites.

What does the fish look like on the outside in terms of plumpness? If it seems to be normal, then the chance of parasites is not very high, but if it appears that he's thin or becoming thinner, parasites may be the cause.

If you suspect that he may have intestinal parasites, then you can use a medication to treat it. Often, this comes in the form of a medicated fish food. Only use this if you suspect that he really does have a disease. I'd recommend that you just observe him for now. As long as he is eating well, there's no cause for concern. Remember to feed more foods than JUST zucchini - try others like celery, algae wafers, etc. You can even grow algae on aquarium safe rocks in the sunlight!

Good Luck - it was great hearing from you again! Keep up the fantastic work! I'll bet that if a fish had a choice of living in the wild or one of our tanks, he/she'd choose the aquarium!
And of course... my all-too common trademark phrase:

"Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!"

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