Can fish get depressed?

sakura.seppun · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject: Can fish get depressed?

I have a long 20 gallon tank, I did have 2 micky mouse platys, 2 male fire dwarf gouramis, 2 fire newts, 1 comet goldfish, and 1 pleco.

Recently one of the platy's died, and I gave my goldfish and pleco to my grandmother as my tank will be too small for them in the long run.

Now my 2 gouramis and the surviving platy are just kind of sagging. They swim very slowly about, hide often, and they all used to be very active fish.

Any suggestions as to what is wrong with them? My readings are good and the tank is at 70-72 degrees. I am wanting to go get a few more fish, any suggestions as to what. All I have in mind is another platy, and maybe a neon blue dwarf gourami. I'm needing colorful and active fish, and also a bottom feeder would be good, as my pleco was getting much to large. Anyone know anything about gold chinese algea eaters?

grnlemonade · Super Senior Member Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 1027

for the readings, we will need the exact #'s please......and also, for those type of fish that water is too cool. that is probably why they are all droopy and inactive......they are tropical fish so if you can try to raise the temperature to around 78-82 degrees. that sohuld make them more active and healthy looking. Your the best

M_wm · Senior Member Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 613

Yah and sometimes fish arnt as skiddish if you have more fish mixed with them

Aqueous · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject:

Since you already have 2 male dwarf gouramis I wouldn't add another one. My dwarf gouramis were very territorial and if you get another male they could attack him and if you get a female they may fight over her.

Chinese algae eaters can get around 10". Most usually only eat algae when they are young and as they get older their diet needs to be supplemented.

sakura.seppun · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:37 am Post subject:

What bottom feeder would work? I cant do a loach, as I have a few small snails, is an apple snail my only option for a 20 gal? If I cannot get another gourami, is there any other suggestions? I believe 75 is the highest I can get my tank to go, would that be alright? And will my platy be happy in those temps, I've never had it that high.

How about a Rapheal Catfish? How many guppies could I put in there and are the temps good?

Basically, if you had a 20 gallon tank, long, that had to be at 75 degrees, there are already 2 gouramis, a platy, and 2 newts, what would you include in the tank? ANY suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks

Fish Addict · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

clown pleco they only get to be 4 inch or some oto's

Aznfryboi · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:19 pm Post subject:

mabe it's yur water.. or mabe u'r tank is too small for it mabe it's that..

sakura.seppun · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:48 am Post subject:

I would think that 20 gallons is enough to for two 1 1/2 inch long fish.

My readings are pH 4.2, ammonia 0, nitrite 0.2, and nitrate at 9 ppm

Also, my Gouramis are gaining a dark blue, still the shiny nature of the rest of their bodies, around their gills and under their mouths. Is this a sign of disease, or just the colors that they are supposed to gain from maturation?

kc5gvn · Moderator Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 1147

Hi sakura.seppun, I'm guessing with a PH of 4.2, nitrites at 0.2 and nitrates at 9ppm, you haven't been doing any partial water changes. Get some of the debris cleaned out of the gravel and get the temperature up around 78 degrees and you should see a difference in your fishes activity.

sakura.seppun · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:13 am Post subject:

I do partial water changes weekly, however, there is usually a LOT of debris in there. The temp is up, and that alone has my fish a lot happier.

Thank you for all of the suggestions, but still, are there any suggestions for what I could add for a healthy and lively tank?

Aznfryboi · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:40 am Post subject:

uhh yes u can u can add hiding spots in there for the fishes so they can get there own terrotory.. oh yes hey sakura where do u buy fire newts at??? ican't seem to find them at the pets store.. can u help me out?

sakura.seppun · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:46 pm Post subject:

I got mine at Petco.

Nameless · Senior Member Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 958

I would be worried about your pH first before I would worry about anything else, that is pretty low and something should probaly be down to it.

sakura.seppun · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:56 pm Post subject:

I've done a 30% water change, via vacumming the gravel, and the readings are much better. I believe the temperature still has the most to do with the improved behaivor.

Petz8888 · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:18 am Post subject:

My tank is a 30 gallon and I take out 6 gallons wweekly.

Do you use a gravel vacume to take itr out?

iF YOU DONT THE WATER CHANGES ARE POINT LESS.L

Try that and if you already do thast try to do 2 water changes weekly!

Hope it helps!