Frequent Aquarium Questions

• Our red-tailed shark has developed a white edge along his fins. We had a high nitrate level recently. What is this?
  
  
• I have a bala shark with red sores around his mouth and fins. He is discolored and not eating properly. What can I do?
  
  
• I just treated my tank for ick. When should I place the carbon filter back in?
  
  
• Can algae cause swimbladder disease in angelfish?
  
  
• My goldfish are on the bottom of the tank and they have red spots in their tails. What could be the problem?
  
  
• My clownfish recently has what looks like "popeye". I was wondering if the newly added airstone could have something to do with this condition. The clownfish has generally stayed very close to it.
  
  
• One of my older male bettas is getting smaller, his body is arching, and he is losing color but eats fine and doesn't act any differently. Could it be old age?
  
  
• My oscar has a big belly and for some strange reason keeps floating up. Is it sick or pregnant?
  
  
• My betta has 1 swollen eye, is changing colors, stomach is swollen, and looks like he is about to die. What should I do?
  
  
• My clownfish have popeye and I was wondering if it was due to our nitrite being too high. Is it normal that only one eye gets affected first?
  
  

• Our red-tailed shark has developed a white edge along his fins. We had a high nitrate level recently. What is this?
  
  You are witnessing some fin rot on your shark. It is usually due to failing water quality. Your high nitrate levels prove this. You should be performing 25% water changes at least every 4 weeks. In the meantime, you can add some Melafix to help with the current condition.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I have a bala shark with red sores around his mouth and fins. He is discolored and not eating properly. What can I do?
  
  Your Bala Shark has a bacterial infection. Fin infections will improve just by improving the quality of your water. I would perform a water change and try adding Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Melafix.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I just treated my tank for ick. When should I place the carbon filter back in?
  
  You should leave the medication in the water for at least 10 days. Then perform a water change and restore the carbon usage.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Can algae cause swimbladder disease in angelfish?
  
  No.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My goldfish are on the bottom of the tank and they have red spots in their tails. What could be the problem?
  
  You'll probably have an ammonia reading if you test your aquarium water. If so, I would perform a 50% water change immediately.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My clownfish recently has what looks like "popeye". I was wondering if the newly added airstone could have something to do with this condition. The clownfish has generally stayed very close to it.
  
  Fish are susceptible to eye irritation from oversaturation of air bubbles in the tank. Popeye could be a byproduct of this.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• One of my older male bettas is getting smaller, his body is arching, and he is losing color but eats fine and doesn't act any differently. Could it be old age?
  
  Yes. These are definite signs of old age in fish.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My oscar has a big belly and for some strange reason keeps floating up. Is it sick or pregnant?
  
  Your oscar probably had a bladder infection.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My betta has 1 swollen eye, is changing colors, stomach is swollen, and looks like he is about to die. What should I do?
  
  You can try performing a water change and then adding Aquarium Pharmaceuticals PimaFix: http://www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=APH10J&Category_Code=MDaf&Product_Count=
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My clownfish have popeye and I was wondering if it was due to our nitrite being too high. Is it normal that only one eye gets affected first?
  
  Popeye occurs due to stress and unsuitable water parameters. Nitrite is toxic, so it will add nothing but stress to your fish. Popeye is usually present in 1 eye at first.
  
  Top