by Susan Core | Jun 8, 2023 | Fish Disease, Freshwater Fish Keeping
Fin Damage – Is it Fin Rot?
submitted by Dena Edwards
Everything Aquatic
Published 20 March 2022
http://www.fishcures.com
There has been a significant increase in questions recently regarding fin rot. About 95% of the time, if not more, it is not rot. So, how to you know what is going on with your fish or what to do next?
First and foremost need to determine what type of fin damage exists. Does the fin look like a bite has been taken out? Shredded? Ripped? Are you seeing something dark on the fin edges that is not normal coloring? What about a clear or white edge? All of these questions can help point to what is going on as well as to determining what the root cause may be so it can be corrected.
Things I always ask when facing fin damage are:
What are the current water parameters? Specifics can help to determine if the tank is cycled and well maintained. Things to ask yourself include, how much and how often water changes are done. There is nothing better for freshwater fish than fresh water. Same is true on a smaller scale for saltwater environments. Doing water changes not only removes waste, but it also replenishes minerals that are lost to growing fish and to hungry plants.
How long have fish been in your tank? We they properly quarantined? New fish can be stressed from the shipping and new environment and come down with disease that may spread throughout a tank if not quarantined long enough to be confident no disease exists before adding to the main tank.
What tankmates are in the tank? Need to rule out incompatibility in species, such as keeping long finned fish with notorious nippers. Just because you don’t notice any aggression does not mean fish don’t nip or fight when you are not around.
Could you be dealing with an environmental issue? Environmental damage will appear as ripped or torn edges and sometimes shredded finage. When fins begin to repair themselves they will first look clear or white on the edges and many think this is fin rot when it is actually new fin growth.
If you have determined that you are dealing with environmental damage, there is no need to reach for medications. Instead, change the environment to eliminate the root cause. If the fin is ripped, then look at the decor for anything with a sharp edge that can grab a long, flowing fin. If cause by nipping or fighting, separate or rehome fish if unable to set up a second tank.
Treatment for environmental fin damage is to do nothing more than offering a variety of high quality, nutrient rich foods to support the immune system along with small daily water changes. Could add aquarium salt if fish will tolerate it or use botanicals to add tannins to the water column. Fish will repair their fins in 1-2 weeks.
White tips on this dark angel’s dorsal is new fin growth. This is what you want to see as it does not indicate there are any issues to be concerned about.
True bacterial fin rot is very distinctive. Fin edges can be a little jagged, but will always be dark from the rotting flesh that is being attacked. If you are seeing clear or white edges see the section about about environmental fin damage.
True bacterial fin rot along with one bite mark. These black sections are areas where bacteria is causing the flesh to rot and die.
True rotting flesh is the only time antibiotics should be used for fin damage. But which antibiotics? I use erythromycin in this case, but there are a few other fish medications that can treat fin rot. No matter which medication is used, it can be dosed with powder in the water column or with medicated foods; but once started continue treatment for a minimum of 10 days to ensure the bacteria is eliminated.
by Susan Core | Jun 8, 2023 | Freshwater Fish Keeping, General Maintenance, Water Chemistry
The Role Bacteria Plays in Keeping a Balanced Aquarium
submitted by Bob Steenfott
Feb. 13, 2023
Bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy freshwater aquarium. In this article, we will explore the various functions of bacteria in an aquarium, the types of bacteria that are commonly found in aquariums, and the benefits and challenges of establishing a balanced bacterial colony in an aquarium.
Functions of Bacteria in an Aquarium
Nitrogen Cycle: The most important role of bacteria in an aquarium is to facilitate the nitrogen cycle. This cycle involves the conversion of toxic ammonia produced by fish waste, uneaten food, and decaying organic matter into less toxic nitrite and then into relatively harmless nitrate. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas, and nitrate-reducing bacteria, such as Nitrobacter, are responsible for these conversions. Without these bacteria, ammonia and nitrite levels can build up to toxic levels, causing harm to the fish and other aquatic life in the aquarium.
Decomposition: Bacteria in an aquarium also play an important role in breaking down organic waste, such as dead plant material, fish waste, and uneaten food. This decomposition process helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the fish and other aquatic life.
Nutrient Cycling: Bacteria help to maintain the balance of nutrients in the aquarium by breaking down organic matter and releasing essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, back into the water. This helps to maintain a healthy and stable environment for the growth of plants and other aquatic life.
Types of Bacteria in an Aquarium
Nitrifying Bacteria: As mentioned earlier, nitrifying bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle. These bacteria are responsible for converting ammonia and nitrite into nitrate.
Denitrifying Bacteria: Denitrifying bacteria are responsible for reducing nitrate into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere. These bacteria play an important role in maintaining the balance of nitrate levels in the aquarium.
Decomposing Bacteria: Decomposing bacteria help to break down organic matter and release essential nutrients back into the water. They play an important role in maintaining a clean and healthy environment in the aquarium.
Benefits of a Balanced Bacterial Colony in an Aquarium
Stable Water Conditions: A balanced bacterial colony helps to maintain stable water conditions by converting toxic substances, such as ammonia and nitrite, into less harmful substances. This helps to prevent harm to the fish and other aquatic life in the aquarium.
Healthy Aquatic Life: A balanced bacterial colony helps to provide essential nutrients to the aquatic plants and other life in the aquarium, promoting healthy growth and overall well-being.
Clean Aquarium: Bacteria help to break down organic waste and maintain a clean environment, reducing the need for frequent water changes and making it easier to maintain a healthy and stable aquarium.
Challenges of Establishing a Balanced Bacterial Colony in an Aquarium
Slow Growth: The growth of bacteria in an aquarium can be slow and may take several weeks to establish a balanced colony.
Water Quality: Poor water quality can inhibit the growth of bacteria, making it difficult to establish a balanced colony.
Overstocking: Overstocking an aquarium can lead to an increase in fish waste, which can overwhelm the bacterial colony and make it difficult to maintain a balanced environment.
Bacteria play a crucial role in the functioning of a freshwater aquarium. They participate in the nitrogen cycle by converting toxic substances, such as ammonia and nitrite, into less harmful ones. Bacteria also break down organic waste, releasing essential nutrients back into the water, and contributing to a clean and healthy environment. To establish a balanced bacterial colony, it is important to monitor water quality, avoid overstocking, and provide the right conditions for bacterial growth. Having a balanced bacterial colony in an aquarium not only prevents harmful water conditions but also promotes healthy aquatic life and makes maintenance easier. Thus, a balanced bacterial colony is a key component of a successful freshwater aquarium.
by Susan Core | Feb 23, 2023 | Aquatic Plant Care
Submitted by KassCeeBee
January 1, 2023
This is for you guys who like to use root tabs. I just added some today during my water change.
Here are some BEFORE pictures to see if they help or not.
I have switched it up recently and changed my liquid fertilizer. I switched from API to Fluval Gro+ . I have seen new growth using this liquid fertilizer. I do not have their recommended iron test kit though, to know how much to dose. I have been conservative with the amount I add. I could see more growth if I knew how much my aquarium needs.
by Susan Core | Feb 23, 2023 | General Maintenance
FISH CURES
Published 23 June 2022
It seems like early Spring and late Fall there is a significant change to water parameters and fish seem to come down with more disease that other times of the year. Knowing what to watch for can help reduce stress on your fish and potentially avoid disease.
Have you noticed an increase in chlorine or chloramine smell in city water? In the Spring many water treatment plants often flush their systems. And the sudden increase in chlorine or chloramine may require extra dechlorinator than is normal. There are test kits to monitor chlorine, but the best test is your nose. If using a water conditioner such as Seachem Prime, it can be safely dosed 5 times normal strength when needed. Better safe to use extra conditioner than to have dead fish.
Has your area recently undergone a heavy rainstorm or experienced a recent snow runoff? This can change the general water chemistry. A quick water test can help determine if the pH and other parameters have changed or remain stable. For me, I have two different water sources. One source I get about 9 months out of the year. It comes from a local spring with very soft, low pH water and my other source is moderately hard water that is high in minerals and a high pH. If I’m not careful when the source water changes a large water change can kill my fish. Unfortunately, this has happened to me once. I lost thousands in rare, replaceable fish.
Have you recently moved? Doesn’t matter if in the same town or across the country. Every water source can have some difference; different pipes can rarely affect water chemistry as well. Again, knowing what you are dealing with and how close it matches your tank parameters is all that is needed to make educated adjustments to keep your fish safe at all times.
Periodically test your source water to determine what is normal. Does it contain high levels of minerals? Does it hold heavy metals? You can obtain the basic details of your water chemistry from your municipal water company or by paying for a water analysis if on a well. Or, can use a test kit, such as the API Master Kit plus the GH and KH tests for a good overall general analysis of your source water.
Compare these results with your tank parameters. If things are being well maintained then both the source and the tank water should have similar parameters. And stable parameters in the proper range is the key to long term health of your fish.
For example, are there any measurable ammonia or nitrites? If so, your tank may not be cycled or it may be under-filtered. Simple enough to fix if you know what is leading to measurable ammonia and/or nitrite. Both should always undetectable.
Is nitrate over 40ppm? Do you have species sensitive to waste? Are you fish coming down with one disease after another? Then, need to step up maintenance to better manage waste buildup.
By providing a healthy environment along with a variety of high quality foods you will be able to enjoy your fish for a long time.
by Susan Core | Feb 2, 2023 | Feeding Our Fish
What is the Best Diet for Guppies, Endlers and Other Livebearers?
submitted by Dena Edwards
fishcures.com
1/30/23
All livebearers are considered omnivore species, which need a variety of proteins and plant matter in their staple diet. In the wild they would eat insects, insect larvae, copepods, shrimp, algae, plant leaves, etc. They really are opportunistic eaters.
In an aquarium I like to offer different foods to keep the overall diet varied. There is no single food that can provide everything needed, not even a prepared food sold for feeding in the home aquarium can provide everything needed for growth and overall health.
I like to have proteins in the range of 40-50% generally, and prefer quality proteins, such as a variety of shrimp, insects and even fish.
Good protein sources include whole meals, such as whole salmon meal or even fish hydrolysate, which basically is fish meal before all the liquid has been removed. Insect meal is another great protein source that is found in some higher quality foods as well.
As for plant matter, there are many, many options. Along with spirulina, kelp and veggies in processed foods I like to add fresh, raw veggies and even occasional fruits. I try to get organic, but not always possible. Cut a small bit and stab it with a fork to weight it down in the tank. Cucumber, zucchini, mushroom, green beans, broccoli, etc. Easy to get into the habit of setting a small amount aside for the fish before cooking to prepare my own meals. My fish go crazy over strawberry and tangerine slices, but they can quickly pollute the tank so those are offered the day before a water change.
Good treats include live (so long as you could trust the source), frozen or even freeze dried, but rehydrate first to avoid digestive issues.
Everyone has their own idea on what the the best diet may be. Personally I believe if you offer a variety of foods, including some fresh veggies as well as a few fruits along with a varied protein diet you should be able to provide the correct balance.
In my tanks I feed Guppy Color Feast (a granule very high in protein at 52%), Guppy Flake (a mix of veggie and meat based flakes, 40% protein), and if needing a color boost I add Guppy Color Flake (47% protein focusing on shrimp sources to boost oranges and reds). Then, for veggie content I occasionally add fresh, raw veggies. Just a small bit which I can stab with a fork. No cooking, no blanching as I want to retain the nutrients. I also on occasion feed live Baby Brine Shrimp as well as Repashy, etc.
In the summer I also set out a bucket of water and collect the mosquito larvae to feed to my fish. Man do they go ape over them! They perk up so much that I don’t even recognize their behavior!!
So, like I said, variety is important as no one food can provide a complete balanced diet for any creature.
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