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have had the tank only going for about 2 weeks the fish i have were bought when i was away so not my fault there in too early . any way over the last 3 days they have all got white spots all over them . 10 neon tetra(only about 4 have the spots) 1 moonlight gourami(covered in them ) and i have 2 small catfish not sure what type . so what do i do also i need to no how to bring my water back under control its a 10g and for aslong as its been going there has been no nitrite or nitrate showing on the tests just ammonia reading at between 4.0-8.0 cant quite make it out . and the ph looks to be at about 7.2 . can any one help asap before they all die cos im a total newbie and am doing something wrong well i must be i guess .thanks alot

First do a 50% water change, now! Make sure the water is the same temp as in the tank...this will lower your ammonia...I would go get some bacteria starter now, this won't be a cure all, but will help the cycle along.

Next you need to watch your temperature...the white spots are Ich and this is being caused by the temperature fluctuation...add a heater to this tank, to help maintain a constant temperature...You are also going to be needing to treat the tank for Ich, Ich Guard + is good and just follow the directions...

Also what is in the tank, that you didn't buy...some if not all will need to be taken back...

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

the gourami came with the tank when my dad bought it of his mate . then added were 17 neon tetras(asked for 10 lfs cant count) most of them are dead now and there are 2 catfish not sure what kind just small about 1 inch long and an albino one same size. the last fish which was added was a red male betta but he died within 3 days. the heater is running at about 26c and the filter has been cleaned in the last hour cos it was not cleaning anything . also the actfish seem to be pooing alot . also with this water change am i suppose to de chlorinate it first before iput it in the tank .

Yes, you need to use a dechlorinator before you add the water, or as you are adding the water; I really like using the Tetra brand or Stress Coat. You're tank is definately over stocked, so we need to figure out what fish you want to keep and what you can take back to the lfs...

Let's recount what is in there so I'm sure I have it right:

1 Moonlight Gourami [1@6"=6"]
10 Neon Tetras [10@1.5"=15"]
3 Catfish [3@2.5"=7.5"]

This is just an estimate, and some fish need much more room than what was once thought ok...but for what you have stocked you would need about a 30 gallon tank.

With that being said...the gourami is going to get way too big to remain in that tank, about 6 inches...he will need to go back.

The catfish need to be in schools of 5 or more to be happy. I went ahead and counted them on the smaller end as potential size being 2.5" when grown...so even with 3 they are not going to fit easily in the tank...take them back.

This leaves us with the neons...you say you bought 17, though only paid for 10...no biggy that happens a lot of the timeat least with me at this one lfs I like. You said a lot of them have died...I would keep what is left. And that will be it for the tank...but really a tank with only neons it it can be beautiful

Now when you go to take the other fish back, they will probably just give you store credit in exchange. Get some Stress Coat with this credit...and if you don't feel funny about it get your Ich Guard + here also...you are going to have to follow the directions on the ich guard and do it for about a week, by this time the neons should be in good condition...

The Stress Coat is a dechlorinator to use when doing water changes...be sure to get the water within 1-2 degree of the tank water, as we do not want the temperature to change at all if it can be avoided...this will add stress to the fish (water temperature changing)...it is also the cause of the white spots on your neons, called Ich. Do a 50% water change now to get the ammonia levels down. Then each and every day for probably the next 2-3 weeks (you are cycling the tank at this time, with fish that don't normally handle cycling well) do a 10-15% water change. This should help keep the ammonia levels down to nothing, or next to it...You will need to go ahead and get a test kit so that you can test your water at least once a day...me being paranoid the way I am I test in the morning, and evening...

Do this and we will see how it goes...just keep us up to date, and don't worry things will be fine...heidi

PS Welcome to FishProfiles!!!


"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle