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Ten things that shouldn't make you panic
Posted by: lngh on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 10:35 PM
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A short guide to problems that are not, really, problems and cause unnecessary worries for inexperienced fish-keepers.
1) pH.
Changes in pH are far more dangerous than a “wrong” value. PH “adjusters” are for use, by experienced fish keepers, for specific problems. Small changes occur, naturally, through the day and are not a big concern.
2) Temp.
If your tank slowly climbs and falls, and stays under 85. You are fine. Temp. can, largely, be regulated with increased air/water flow. Often, oxygen content is more of an issue than temperature. Check with informed sources about temperature tolerance.
3) Torn fins.
Torn fins have many causes. Some of the most common are: aggression, net accidents, sharp objects in tanks and "fin-rot". While certainly a cause for increased observation, torn fins, in absence of other symptoms, will, generally, heal themselves.
4) “Aggression”.
Most aggressive displays are just that. Displays. Often fish will settle disputes on their own, with no harm done. If one party is actually being injured, or getting stressed, corrective action should be taken.
5) Single anomalous readings. Retest before you take radical measures. Always test water at the same time of day. Make sure your test kit is fresh and of good quality.
6) “Flashing”.
Flashing, or scraping, can be a sign of disease. However, it can be any of several different conditions. It can, also, be part of a territorial display, or, just an itch. Flashing is not enough to diagnose, or treat, an ailment it is a reason for increased vigilance.
7) “My new fish is hiding and won't eat”.
Your new fish has been through a huge ordeal. Give him some time to get his bearings.
8) “My new tank was clear, but, it turned cloudy over night”.
This is caused by a “bloom” of bacteria. It is safe and normal. It will clear in a few days. If not, or if it's green, it's algae. Reduced light should clear it up.
9) “I have snails”!
Unless there are huge numbers, snails are harmless. In fact, they can be beneficial. Excess snails can be removed by hand. If you care to “open” them, most fish will enjoy a meaty treat! Some fish will eat enough of them, on their own, to keep them in check.
10) Almost everything else.
If you think you have a problem: step back, observe, reflect; make sure you have a problem. I had three Yo-Yo Loaches that would eat themselves sick whenever I dropped in an algae wafer. They would, literally, lay on their sides for a half-hour, unable to move. Naturally, I thought they were dying. They did the same thing for years. Go figure! Don't follow that first instinct to “fix” things, right away. Even when treating a serious disease, a few hours of additional research can save your fishes' lives.
Note:
Published at FishGeeks with express permission from the author. This article can not be copied or reprinted, either physically or electronically without the permission of the author. Copyright Aquaria.Info.
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