Expert: Nathan - 9/9/2009

Question
HI,

im glad you are back. i had some trouble with the dwarf gourami i added, and he refused to eat and had constipation, pineconeing, and finrot. i eventualy gave him back to the pet store because i felt they had more medication avalable and he had a better chance with them. lynda was extreamly helpful troughought.
i was just about to go to the pet store today to try again, but i was just informed that some construction had to be done behind my tank, and i have to move it. should i drain it and then move it and then refill it? do i have to save all 30 gallons of my water to re-add, or can i just drain it and then refill it with tap water? would the chlorine in the tap water kill my benificial bacteria? should i treat the water?
I was also wondering how long untill my wisteria rooted itself (i bought it as clippings) and how to maintain it. should i cutoff the top and replant it and toss the roots?
also, i dont want a repeat of the problem i had last time. so should i use a different fish than a dwarf gourami, or do you think its worth another try?

Thanks
MIke  

Answer
Hi Mike,

Is Lynda someone at the pet store? It's nice to know that the staff at your local pet store are helpful. Sometimes, some employees know nothing about fish, which drives me crazy.

Save the water from the old tank. You can put this in a bucket, and net out any fish that you have in the tank, and place them into the bucket. If you completely fill it with tap water, it will kill the beneficial bacteria you worked so hard to get.

You can also add half tank water and half freshwater, treated with a water conditioner to remove chlorine.

Keep all portions of the plant, including the roots. It should settle and root in 2-3 weeks. if you are using fertilizer or CO2, it will root faster. Using root tabs (fertilizer that comes in little tablets to bury near the roots) is a good idea to promote some new plant growth in the first few weeks of ownership.

Gouramis are hardy and easy fish to keep, and yours was most likely sick from the store already. You can try more Gouramis, or if you're ready for a change, try some Tetras.

-Neon Tetras
-Cardinal Tetras
-Black skirt Tetras
-Glowlight Tetras
-Rummynose Tetras*
-Penguin Tetras
-Black Phantom Tetras*
-Red Phantom Tetras*

*are less hardy than others.
With all Tetras, you should buy them in a group of at least 4 or more.

Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!