Hi, I just need some advice.

There are all kinds of tests....I use test strips that test all levels and arent expensive, some people prefer liquid testing individually but my lfs says its all the same....as far as the sucker fish you have in your tank might be a bad idea....other than my 1 2 inch cory I don't even have one in my 20g tank because of how big they get....my lfs said not to even get a 5 in in my tank and yours is half the size.....just a second opinion :huh:
 
Also true plecos get muchhhhh biggerr than 5 in.....make sure you know what exact kind you have because I was SOLD a pleco that wasn't what it was supposed to be
 
good luck with the tank :)

the cory catfish are loads of fun to watch if they swim up and down the glass.

oh and the pleco thing- they told me that mine would grow to be that size.. 1 foot later.. ;)
 
Mariah_S said:
hi

it's been a while since i replied here.
but contrary to what i thought before (and i'm not lying i promise), i don't think my guppies are dying very fast. i just don't think that they have very many babies at one time. anyway, i'm planning on selling some of them.

the other fish i have in my fishtank are two dwarf platties (same sex), a small otocinclus (2-inch), one male betta (which, unlike many people think, is safe), two bleeding hearts, a panda corydora, and a plecostomus that will only get about 5 inches.

Like I said before, the tank really is not crowded and I think that the fishes are alright. Besides, the three suckerfishes (Cory, Pleco, and Otto) stay on the floor and on the sides most of the time (Pleco stays under a rock).

Thank you very much for all your help and if you have any more suggestions on how to make my tank safer for them i will appreciate them.

by the way, you said something about water changes. how do you do that?
and are there any inexpensive test kits for ammonia, nitrate, etc.?

thankz,
Mariah
Click to expand...

Did you ever see "Finding Nemo"? There was a little girl who the dentist is supposed to give Nemo to. Judging by your posts that little girl grew up and is YOU. Either that or maybe you are Elmira from Animaniacs.

Let me get this straight, you have a 5 gallon tank with:
indeterminate amount of guppies
two dwarf platties (same sex)
a small otocinclus (2-inch)
one male betta (which, unlike many people think, is safe)
two bleeding hearts
a panda corydora
and a plecostomus

I have a 29 gallon tank with less fish than that.

You have ignored the advice most everyone has given you and you have a disgustingly overstocked tank. Your fish must be miserable and/or sick. Why do people like you bother to ask for advice? If you are told something you don't want to hear you either ignore it or get annoyed.

I feel sorry for your "pets". This kind of post drives me insane. :pc:
 
Mariah_S said:
the other fish i have in my fishtank are two dwarf platties (same sex), a small otocinclus (2-inch), one male betta (which, unlike many people think, is safe), two bleeding hearts, a panda corydora, and a plecostomus that will only get about 5 inches.

Like I said before, the tank really is not crowded and I think that the fishes are alright. Besides, the three suckerfishes (Cory, Pleco, and Otto) stay on the floor and on the sides most of the time (Pleco stays under a rock).
Click to expand...
OMG poor things, for one, your plecostomus will grow his entire life, if it's a common pleco, which probably won't be long at the hand of you. the tank is not crowded? i guess you are one of those ppl that think NYC isn't crowded at 5 o'clock rush either right??? i'm surprised you don't have a few pacu's in the tank also. you should get rid of the fish, buy a pet rock and hit yourself over the head with it until unconscious, repeat 3X a day or as needed:mad2:

Mariah_S said:
Thank you very much for all your help and if you have any more suggestions on how to make my tank safer for them i will appreciate them.

by the way, you said something about water changes. how do you do that?
and are there any inexpensive test kits for ammonia, nitrate, etc.?

thankz,
Mariah
Click to expand...

5 gal and 10gal and "something about a water change?" need i say more
 
Okay everybody, whoa. She said she upgraded to a 10g so that's a start. I really don't think all of the rudeness is necessary yet. Mariah-S, the pleco will get too big for your tank, even if he maxes out at 5in. I think that you are probably okay stock wise for now. As for the water changes: Go to the LFS or Wal-Mart and buy a gravel vacuum. Use it at least once a week to clean the gravel and remove half of the water. (If you're still cycling you will need to do this more often) Replace the water you removed with clean water from your faucet. Please use something to remove chlorine or chloramine and try to get the water as close to the same temperature as the water in your tank.
 
Larissa said:
Okay everybody, whoa. She said she upgraded to a 10g so that's a start. I really don't think all of the rudeness is necessary yet. Mariah-S, the pleco will get too big for your tank, even if he maxes out at 5in. I think that you are probably okay stock wise for now. As for the water changes: Go to the LFS or Wal-Mart and buy a gravel vacuum. Use it at least once a week to clean the gravel and remove half of the water. (If you're still cycling you will need to do this more often) Replace the water you removed with clean water from your faucet. Please use something to remove chlorine or chloramine and try to get the water as close to the same temperature as the water in your tank.
Click to expand...
Yeah i have to agree with every thing she said. Except for the fact that you are not overstocked. The tank is very overstocked pretty much all you can have in a five gallon is a Betta and your two platties. As for the rest of the fish take them back. Oto's need to be in at least groups of three. The tetras need to school which is a minimum of 6. Remember at least 40% water change a week.
Good Luck!
 
Larissa- thank you soooo much!

Remember, General72- my aquarium is a 10-gallon, not a 5-gallon, and I'm going to get rid of most of my guppies. Otos should be with other otos? I didn't know that. Thank you. tetras- Are guppies or bleeding hearts considered tetras?
 
Hi Mariah,
I have seen your other posts about your fish, too. Please listen to everyone. Your tank is over-crowded and you should be splitting up your fish from your 5 gallon into your 10 gallon, then see how much, if any, room you have for more fish.

When considering how many is too many the answer may not be something aesthetically pleasing to you. Different fish produce different amounts of waste. For instance, male bettas can be kept in small bowls without filtration because they produce very little ammonia waste. 5 tiny neon tetras produce alot of ammonia waste. I believe the same holds true for guppies. They create alot of waste. Then you also have to take into consideration the size to which a fish can grow. As a teenager, 25 years ago, I purchsed these 5 tiny angelfish, these angelfish lived for many years and grew to more than 10 inches each. They all died in a 29 gallon aquarium before I could get them a larger aquarium. It was heartbreaking.

You have to do independent research on the internet, in fish books, on this board and learn your parameters if you want to have a healthy, happy tank. This isn't only a "hobby," these are living creatures we're dealing with. They have needs, get stressed out, don't feel well, experience pain, and suffer when their needs aren't met. But they thrive when their needs are met. You cannot base your decisions on how many fish the store has in a tank, they are there to sell, not there for the longterm health and well being of the fish or animals. People in the stores don't always know what they are talking about, the people on this board do, they may give you different answers and solutions but they all come from experience and love for their pets.

I think this is not in this post but regarding your decor post:
I am concerned that the yellow color in your tank is not from the light, but due to increased ammonia levels. Please buy a water test kit. Or better yet, take a water sample into an independent fish shop (not Petco or Petsmart). They will do a water test and tell you if levels are amiss in your tank, and how to solve the problem. Independent fish stores are much more likely to have knowledgeable and honest people working there that will tell you what's going on and what you need to do than the large chains.

Regarding your naming post:
Not all of my fish are named, but these are the ones that are:
Ghost - white and purple betta
Yellow Belly - Bolivian Ram
Big Froggie & Little Froggie - 2 dwarf frogs
The Prehistoric Fishies - 2 albino egyptian(?) plecos
Naughty - horse face loach (reminds me of a nautilus)
Joey - blue and pink betta (separate tank)
McGloop & McGlop - 2 oregon newts (separate tank)

Take care,
Mary.
 
thanks Mary.
I know I should listen to everyone, but it's hard to when they're being mean about it (like the guy that told me to buy a pet rock and knock myself out with it).
But I will take people's advice and probably not get any more fish. I want to get another aquarium, but I don't think I have anymore room for one.

well, thanks again,
Mariah
P.S.- you said fish experience pain; I thought fish didn't have nerves?
 
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