Cherry Barb issue
- Thread starter Fishman1995
- Start date
What tank did you put them in? The problem could be from numerous problems that you have experienced before but I would probably expect it to be from stress. Although new fish do tend to hold off on food for a couple days while they get acclimatized to their new home, so that could be another reason.
Did you test your water? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite?
Did you test your water? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite?
Yes, they are all in the same tank. But the Platys stay on the right side playing in the bubbilator, and Felix stay's toward the bottom front of in his Cave. They like to Left side of the tank and one male likes the back behind the cave. And they will just sit there and sit there and sit there. And i havent seen them eat since 2 nights ago. Could they be eating uneaten food off the bottom and that be why they arent eating. And my readings are all normal. Ph is 7.0 amonia and nitrite both 0 and Nitrate is 10 ppm's. Should i do a water change? and see if that helps?
If all these fish are in the same tank, you are overstocked.
We continue to advise you to do your research on compatible species and tank sizes but you are not really concerned with listening to us or keeping your fish healthy.
Get rid of the platies and the barbs. Barbs are too aggressive for such a small tank. They are also incompatible with a betta as they nip fins. A betta is pretty much the only thing except for snails, shrimp, and dwarf frogs that can live in a 5 gallon tank. You have overstocked your 5 gallon with many incompatible species before and I had hoped that you had learned something but I suppose not. Please consider our advice and get rid of all the fish in the 5 gallon with the exception of the betta.
We continue to advise you to do your research on compatible species and tank sizes but you are not really concerned with listening to us or keeping your fish healthy.
Get rid of the platies and the barbs. Barbs are too aggressive for such a small tank. They are also incompatible with a betta as they nip fins. A betta is pretty much the only thing except for snails, shrimp, and dwarf frogs that can live in a 5 gallon tank. You have overstocked your 5 gallon with many incompatible species before and I had hoped that you had learned something but I suppose not. Please consider our advice and get rid of all the fish in the 5 gallon with the exception of the betta.
That depends on the betta. I had my son's male betta in the 29gal tank when I first set it up with five platies, a couple of guppies, a featherfin cat, and a couple of otos. Everyone ignored him completely, but he was constantly stressed anyway. He hid all the time and his colors went from a beautiful deep vibrant blue to looking like he'd been hastily colored with a medium blue crayon. I finally got him out of there, but he ended up dying about a month later anyway. So, I generally recommend not to put a male betta in a community tank, regardless. The problem stems from the fact that bettas don't like a lot of activity and most other fish are very active and will stress them out.
I didn't think it was a big deal, but I was just saying.
As far as advice to the OP, here's what I've got:
I don't know enough about off the top of my head yet to really tell you what to do other than to take advice you get here, but I do know a lot about how hard it is to wait for your new tank. If I recall correctly, Fishman1995, you mentioned in another thread that you're getting a 55 gallon and equipment for your birthday (though I don't remember when that is). If all you have right now is a 5 gallon, I know how enticing the idea of increasing your tank size ten-fold and then some must be, and I get the vibe that you're buying fish now with the plan of moving them over to the big tank whenever you get it. My advice on that, is don't. I know its hard to wait (and I'm guilty of brash fish purchases without proper means to take care of them yet), but just don't.
If you do get the 55 gallon and keep interest in the hobby, get the fish then. Don't try to keep too many (even compatible species) in too small of a tank, even with a large filter and a frequent water change schedule. Even if you do keep an interest in the hobby, you'll get tired of changing your water every day. I know that too. My tank has ich, and I've only been doing it for a week, but I'm already sick of daily water changes.
I know you're excited, and you seem pretty young (no offense meant at all), but slow down for the benefit and health of your fish.
As far as advice to the OP, here's what I've got:
I don't know enough about off the top of my head yet to really tell you what to do other than to take advice you get here, but I do know a lot about how hard it is to wait for your new tank. If I recall correctly, Fishman1995, you mentioned in another thread that you're getting a 55 gallon and equipment for your birthday (though I don't remember when that is). If all you have right now is a 5 gallon, I know how enticing the idea of increasing your tank size ten-fold and then some must be, and I get the vibe that you're buying fish now with the plan of moving them over to the big tank whenever you get it. My advice on that, is don't. I know its hard to wait (and I'm guilty of brash fish purchases without proper means to take care of them yet), but just don't.
If you do get the 55 gallon and keep interest in the hobby, get the fish then. Don't try to keep too many (even compatible species) in too small of a tank, even with a large filter and a frequent water change schedule. Even if you do keep an interest in the hobby, you'll get tired of changing your water every day. I know that too. My tank has ich, and I've only been doing it for a week, but I'm already sick of daily water changes.
I know you're excited, and you seem pretty young (no offense meant at all), but slow down for the benefit and health of your fish.
Haha! I'm sorry but troll comments make me chuckle.
As was mentioned by several people, it doesn't matter if all the fish "fit" in the tank and you have enough filtration. There is not enough room for those fish to live together healthily. Plus, you are putting all your fish at risk for heightened aggression and stunted growth. The fact that you knew that you would overstock the tank and yet you bought the fish anyway says something about what you think of fish as creatures. They depend on you for your care. Fish need you to give them a secure home. Get rid of all the new fish.
As was mentioned by several people, it doesn't matter if all the fish "fit" in the tank and you have enough filtration. There is not enough room for those fish to live together healthily. Plus, you are putting all your fish at risk for heightened aggression and stunted growth. The fact that you knew that you would overstock the tank and yet you bought the fish anyway says something about what you think of fish as creatures. They depend on you for your care. Fish need you to give them a secure home. Get rid of all the new fish.
What do you mean they dont have left sides and right sides, every tank has a left side and right side.
To OC yes i know that Cherry barbs need a 10 gallon and platys can be in a 10 but really need more and i think all of us have been guilty, OC, of buying fish that we didnt have room for because we liked them at one point or another.
As for the fish, i returned them last night to the store i bought them for, the reason i bought them was they didnt have any ADF's or Ghost Shrimp. So this is what went threw my mind, "Hmmmm where are there ADF's and GS's. DOnt seem to have any, i wonder if i can fit a couple small fish in my 5 gallon with Felix? There so tiny it wont matter a bit." That, i know, wasnt the way i shoulda thought of it. But the fish ARE returned so there is no more stocking issues.
As for OC i dont understand why you want offer advice to me?
To OC yes i know that Cherry barbs need a 10 gallon and platys can be in a 10 but really need more and i think all of us have been guilty, OC, of buying fish that we didnt have room for because we liked them at one point or another.
As for the fish, i returned them last night to the store i bought them for, the reason i bought them was they didnt have any ADF's or Ghost Shrimp. So this is what went threw my mind, "Hmmmm where are there ADF's and GS's. DOnt seem to have any, i wonder if i can fit a couple small fish in my 5 gallon with Felix? There so tiny it wont matter a bit." That, i know, wasnt the way i shoulda thought of it. But the fish ARE returned so there is no more stocking issues.
As for OC i dont understand why you want offer advice to me?