Frequent Aquarium Questions

• Does the common goldfish eat other common goldfish? If so, how do I know which ones are going to eat which?
  
  
• I recently purchased a jellybean parrot cichlid and was told he was shy. I was wondering if parrot cichlids mouth breed, because as soon as I added it to the tank, it hid in a cave and started liplocking with my exasperatus cichlid. I'm not sure if they were mating or fighting. What do you think?
  
  
• We have a 12 year old Pacu that we moved to a 300 gallon aquarium from his 125. The gravel sat in large covered containders during a 3 week period, and my husband didn't rinse gravel when he put it in new aquarium. The water doesn't smell right, and the Pacu keeps listing. I have changed his water every 2 days for the last ten days. We have used Cycle, Novaqua, and bought new biowheels for the Emperor filter.
  
  
• I had 15 baby black mollies. I am now down to 7, and the remaining fish don't seem to be growing. I have a low pH of 6.4, and am in the process of raising it. Is this the cause of the deaths and the lack of growth I am experiencing with my fish?
  
  
• My blue gouramis seem to be losing the black spots on their sides. Is this normal?
  
  
• My betta is fat, in Wal-Mart when I got it it said that it was male but is so fat I think is a Female. How can I tell if it is pregnant? If the BETTA is about to die in what period of time do you think he will die in? Ive only had it for about 8 months. What should I do?????????:
  
  
• how do i find a healthy mated pair of discus fish. Thank you
  
  
• I added two gouramis to my aquarium a few days ago, and the seem very nervous and won't come out of hiding, not even to eat. What should I do?
  
  
• What makes a goldfish's fins and upper mouth go black? It has been fighting with the other goldfish it lives with.
  
  
• Would a Neon Tetra be OK with my Betta in a 10 gallon tank?
  
  

• Does the common goldfish eat other common goldfish? If so, how do I know which ones are going to eat which?
  
  While goldfish are likely to eat anything they can fit in their mouth whole, they will not typically bother other fish unless they are tiny. Unless there is a tremendous size difference between your goldfish, I doubt that they have turned cannibal.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I recently purchased a jellybean parrot cichlid and was told he was shy. I was wondering if parrot cichlids mouth breed, because as soon as I added it to the tank, it hid in a cave and started liplocking with my exasperatus cichlid. I'm not sure if they were mating or fighting. What do you think?
  
  Parrot cichlids are a hybrid between the Red Devil and Gold Severum cichlids. They are not typically shy animals, and can in fact become quite aggressive as they mature. They also reach a size of nearly 10 inches, so be sure you can provide for it. Since these fish are a hybrid, they are typically unable to reproduce. There is also no question that yours was fighting with your Exasperatus!
  
  Top
  
  
  
• We have a 12 year old Pacu that we moved to a 300 gallon aquarium from his 125. The gravel sat in large covered containders during a 3 week period, and my husband didn't rinse gravel when he put it in new aquarium. The water doesn't smell right, and the Pacu keeps listing. I have changed his water every 2 days for the last ten days. We have used Cycle, Novaqua, and bought new biowheels for the Emperor filter.
  
  Re-using the dirty gravel is clearly what is causing your issues. Unless you want to continue doing large water changes every other day (which I'm sure you don't) you simply must remove that gravel. Changing your Bio-Wheels was also a mistake, as this removed whatever nitrifying bacteria had been growing in your filters. Once the excess waste from your old gravel is out of your tank, things should stabilize. Unfortunately, there is a chance that high ammonia levels may have already caused permanent damage to you pacu's gills. He may survive, but it is possible that he may continue to show labored breathing and the "listing" behavior you described.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I had 15 baby black mollies. I am now down to 7, and the remaining fish don't seem to be growing. I have a low pH of 6.4, and am in the process of raising it. Is this the cause of the deaths and the lack of growth I am experiencing with my fish?
  
  Low pH can certainly be a contributing factor on this problem. Mollies are brackish water fish that require a pH of around 8.2, and a bit of marine salt in their water. For optimal growth, your mollies should have plenty of space, regular water changes, and a variety of high quality foods (including some vegetable matter such as Spirulina based foods).
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My blue gouramis seem to be losing the black spots on their sides. Is this normal?
  
  Blue gouramis typically should lose their spots unless there is something wrong. Check your water conditions, and do a water change if necessary. Many fish are also prone to fading if they are not fed a good variety of quality foods. Don't rely on one type of flake food if you want to keep their colors looking their best. Alternate between several foods, including high quality frozen and freeze dried items.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• My betta is fat, in Wal-Mart when I got it it said that it was male but is so fat I think is a Female. How can I tell if it is pregnant? If the BETTA is about to die in what period of time do you think he will die in? Ive only had it for about 8 months. What should I do?????????:
  
  Females are very drab in coloration and have very small fins compared to the male. They are also only rarely sold--males are the ones you usually see. As for being overly fat, it may be a gastrointestinal problem, and you could treat with a fungicide. It may also be dietary--try a small amount of live bloodworms, and then refrain from feeding for a few days--try to clean him out.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• how do i find a healthy mated pair of discus fish. Thank you
  
  That's a tough one! It has been my experience that the best way to get a healthy mated pair of Discus is simply this: Purchase about a dozen juvenile Discus (quarter-sized), and raise them up in a good-sized aquarium (at least 150 gallons). Wait until they start to pair off, and separate the subadults into other aquariums. If you only have one tank, find someone else with an interest in Discus, or you might be able to give them to your local pet shop. Select your favorite pair to keep, and let them go for it. It may take quite a while, and in the meantime, keep them alone or with one species of small tetra for fun, and keep up on your water quality.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• I added two gouramis to my aquarium a few days ago, and the seem very nervous and won't come out of hiding, not even to eat. What should I do?
  
  This is normal behavior for many fish when they are first introduced. Make sure none of the other fish are harassing your gouramis, and they should settle in after a few more days.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• What makes a goldfish's fins and upper mouth go black? It has been fighting with the other goldfish it lives with.
  
  Color changes in goldfish are common as they age. It is also brought on by changes in diet and water conditions. Fighting can also cause this condition, as damaged fins and body tissue may bruise and appear black. Try removing the second fish to see if it goes away.
  
  Top
  
  
  
• Would a Neon Tetra be OK with my Betta in a 10 gallon tank?
  
  Neon tetras should be OK with a Betta, as long as the aquarium is heated and has proper filtration. Just keep in mind that neons are schooling fish, and will do best in groups of six or more. Never keep a single neon tetra in a tank, as it is unlikely to survive for long.
  
  Top