[URGENT] Algae problem

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Fluff

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Dec 19, 2015
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Today I came home and found my pictus eating algae, he was flipped over and trying to get to the surface I think to breathe. I don't know what to do so for now we put him in a different tank (isolated) and it's very small. we try to keep him 1/2 in the water and 1/2 the time out. what should I do? Please respond quickly. It's ~30 minutes to the nearest petstore (petsmart)
 

NeverFadeAway86

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Jun 15, 2011
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Brian C
what do you mean by half the time out of water ? have you checked your water parameters for ammonia nitrite, and nitrate ?
 

NeverFadeAway86

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how did you setup the tank ? did you cycle the tank before adding the fish ? how often do you change the water ? the catfish needs to be staying in water
 

Fluff

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Dec 19, 2015
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how did you setup the tank ? did you cycle the tank before adding the fish ? how often do you change the water ? the catfish needs to be staying in water
We've had the fish for a while, and the tank has been set up for well over a year. We think it may be Ammonia poisoning
 

NeverFadeAway86

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Jun 15, 2011
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if the tank has been running for that long you should not be having any noticeable amounts of ammonia present in the water, I would suggest testing your water to see what the issue is. In a fully cycled aquarium ammonia should read 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 20 ppm or under.

my recommendation would be to do about a 30-40 % water change and dose it with prime or what ever water conditioner you use
 

Fluff

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Dec 19, 2015
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if the tank has been running for that long you should not be having any noticeable amounts of ammonia present in the water, I would suggest testing your water to see what the issue is. In a fully cycled aquarium ammonia should read 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 20 ppm or under.

my recommendation would be to do about a 30-40 % water change and dose it with prime or what ever water conditioner you use
Ok thanks for the tips, we just did a 35% change and added stress coat and prime.
 

NeverFadeAway86

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not a problem, just keep an eye on him and keep an eye on your levels
 

smitty

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Jul 8, 2004
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Yeadon, Pennsylvania USA
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How did the Pictus cat make out? Just wondering
 
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