r/fishkeeping 7h ago

Discussion Random fish purchases

14 Upvotes

Maybe a small rant, but i dont get the posts on here asking for fish identification for ones already purchased, knowing nothing about the fish or what it needs to thrive.

Too frequently (imo) someone will post asking what they just bought from a lfs, having no idea about the fish or its care requirements. My tank is unheated in hard water, so I spent days researching what would be thrive, in what environments, with what tankmates, what its natural environment is like, etc. The quality of life and harmony of species is critical to me.

I simply dont comprehend the act of purchasing a fish, then hoping that its needs are congruent with the tank you just dropped them in. Im sure the majority of fish will survive to an extent outside of their parameters, but isnt the idea of the hobby to provide them with a healthy environment tailored to their needs?

Maybe their intent is to later set up a dedicated tank- but why would you purchase them without knowing you have suitable husbandry???


r/fishkeeping 2h ago

Question can anyone tell me if this is M or F guppy also is she pregnant if so

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2 Upvotes

please need help. is the guppy pregnant and female?


r/fishkeeping 3h ago

Question New tank and deformed clownfish looking for a friend. Spoiler

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1 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 4h ago

Question Male or female

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1 Upvotes

Hi all, I have a question about this gourami. Is this a male or a female? From what I saw on google it looks like a male, but I just want to verify it.


r/fishkeeping 9h ago

New Tank Stocking options for 20 gal

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2 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 6h ago

Question Could I keep Dojo loach’s?

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1 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 6h ago

Tank Problems Acidity and algae problem

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’ve been fish-keeping for about a year and a half but over the last year or so I’ve been having a bad acidity and algae problem… my aquarium is far too acidic and I can’t figure out why. I don’t understand why but the algae has been changing in colors (from green to brown and vice versa) and it just keeps growing. I want my fish to have the happiest life possible and I know that with these conditions it’s not possible. Can someone please help me understand what is going on and how to fix it?

P.S. the picture attached is what the tank looks like directly after cleaning. It’s a 20 gallon tall tank holding 6 Cory’s, 1 Long Red-Ginned tetra, 1 Guppy, 1 Pleco, 1 Octo, 2 Neon Tetras, 5 baby Tetras (I’m not completely sure which ones, I believe they’re a mix of long red finned and black skirt), and 1 African Dwarf Frog. Please let me know if you need any additional information!


r/fishkeeping 23h ago

Question Norman lampeyes

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15 Upvotes

Hello, I have norman lampeyes currently and I wanted to get more, but the ones in the pet store (inage with the big rock) don't look the same. Are the ones at the pet store same as the oes I have? Will the shoal with the ones I currently have and reproduce, or are they different species and the ones at the pet store aren't norman lampeyes?

Thanks :)


r/fishkeeping 22h ago

Tank Progress My First Tank In Years!

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5 Upvotes

Finally getting to start the cycle on my first tank in 5 years I'm so excited! I put in ammonia with fritz turbo start tested parameters yesterday and got to about 3ppm Ammonia 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates. However there's already some progress!

The current plan is to stock this 20g with guppies harlequin raspbora and panda corys. While I'm here I did also want to ask for plant recommendations. Specifically plants that need to be planted into the substrate. The plants in here currently are java fern and anubias.

For my floating plants I'm looking at water sprites and red root floaters definitely open to suggestions though.

Hope everyone here is having an amazing day!


r/fishkeeping 21h ago

Tank Problems Has my cycle crashed? Spoiler

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2 Upvotes

I have a 10g tank with a single female beta (Alpha, I've had her a little over 3 years). I've been thinking of getting a snail or two to help control the algae. And just cause I like watching snails. I especially love mystery snails, they're so fun to watch, low maintenance, and are great window washers. At least in my experience. I used to have a golden mystery snail named Speedy Gonzales, he lived for a few years.

Anyway I wanted to test the tank parameters first before considering adding anything else and this is what I got. I'm surprised at the ammonia and nitrate results. I did a fishless cycle on this tank before I got Alpha and this reminds me of early test results...I have been using an API water conditioner lately instead of Prime, and the air pump was pretty old so I got a new one today that's working great.

Admittedly this was the first time Ive done a full master test in a year or longer. Alphas never had a problem and aside from the occasional buildup of algae, the waters clear and everything is functioning properly.

Did my cycle crash and if so do I have to essentially start over the cycling process?


r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Discussion Returning fish... result of poor decisions or just part of the hobby?

8 Upvotes

I have to give a couple fish back because they are just not working in my tank... and i feel so shameful about. What do you guys think?


r/fishkeeping 22h ago

Discussion What's your experience with your LFS?

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2 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 23h ago

Question Sexually confused clownfish?

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1 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Tank Problems Disappearing guppies Spoiler

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0 Upvotes

Hello. I have a 35-gallon tank with about 20 adult guppies and a few fry here and there. Yesterday, I went to feed them and I could not find any fish. I took out all the decor and there are only 4 fries left. In the span of about 3 days, maybe a little longer, they all disappeared. I didn’t not find any dead fish and I haven’t gotten a chance to test the water either

Any ideas??

Thank you


r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Question Is this OK for my turtle tank?

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2 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Question odd behaviour from my rainbowfish

1 Upvotes

howdy!

my stepdad watched one of my forktail rainbow fish burrow into the sand substrate, then swim out, and another fish burrow in after them. they haven't done this before, and they all seem perfectly healthy and the water quality is fine. does anyone know what could be up with them?


r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Sick Fish Is this dwarf gourami disease? Spoiler

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1 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Question What fish can i stock to the my outdoor walstad (38 gallon)

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1 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 2d ago

WTF IS THAT Does anyone know what this is in my freshwater fish tank and can it harm my shrimp? Spoiler

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9 Upvotes

Freshwater fish tank I have had established for about three years never seen this before. Haven’t added anything new to the tank in probably a year. I do get my water RODI from my local fish store. Could that be it?


r/fishkeeping 1d ago

Question Overstocking?

2 Upvotes

I have 3 adult platys and recently discovered 3 fry, so 6 total in my 20 gallon long tank. I had originally been hoping to have it be a small community tank, however now that I have the babies I’m unsure how to do that without overstocking. Any ideas? And don’t be afraid to tell me if it’s a dumb idea lol. TIA


r/fishkeeping 2d ago

Fish Showcase My long fin bristlenose patiently waiting for my albino bristlenose to lay her eggs.

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6 Upvotes

r/fishkeeping 2d ago

Question Does It Look Like My Tap Water Contains Ammonia?

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1 Upvotes

How would I even adjust for this? I'm set to start cycling my first tank in a couple weeks and wanted to get a baseline for the water before getting the tank started.


r/fishkeeping 2d ago

Question Do you run a dehumidifier with your tank?

1 Upvotes

Many years ago while living at my parents' house I had a fish tank in my bedroom (60L then swapped for 155L). I experienced problems with damp and mould in the room, although it's debatable whether that was solely the tank's fault. Eventually I had to get rid of the tank for other reasons, we redecorated the room, took precautions and for the most part the problem hasn't come back.

I have always greatly missed my fish tank, and I am thrilled to be getting my own place soon and getting a nice big fish tank is definitely on the agenda - I'm thinking at least 180L if not more. Consensus online is that fish tanks shouldn't actually have much of a noticeable effect on humidity, but based on my previous experience I'm tempted to get a dehumidifier in the room and run it from time to time.

I'm probably being paranoid, but I'm curious whether anyone else runs a dehumidifier, occasionally or on a regular basis and what your experiences are?


r/fishkeeping 2d ago

Question Ceramic media safe to use if once used for pool?

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16 Upvotes

Found an eheim canister filter from 10 years ago, long story cut short, my parents were using for a small inflatable pool and used chlorine tablets at the time, hasn’t been reached since, reckon it safe to use in a freshwater tank now assuming I give everything a clean and like a 3 day soak?