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Common Fish Problems
Nichol's Group

Common Fish Problems

Answers to the most common fish keeping issues

My fish keep dying…what am I doing wrong? – And how to fix it.

 

  • Overfeeding

    • Fish should be fed every second day with just a tiny pinch. It should only be a much as they can eat in three minutes. Remember a fish’s stomach is only as big as the pupil of their eye. 

     

  • High/low pH

    • Check your source of water
    • Remove any foreign objects that have been introduced to your tank as they can adjust this
    • Do a little bit of research, find out what the ideal pH is for your variety of fish and get a treatment from us to bring your water to this level

     

  • High Ammonia

    • High ammonia is a sign of waste build up in your tank. Use gravel cleaner (available in store) to remove waste every week by removing approximately 10% of the water. This will keep the ammonia level down.

     

  • High Nitrite

    • This is a sign of too many water changes meaning there is a lack of good bacteria in the water. Add a bacterial supplement such as Stress Zyme or Cycle to the tank and stop over changing the water or over cleaning the filter.

     

  • Overcrowding

    • As a general rule of thumb allow 7 to 10 litres of water per fish but some fish require more space than others. Always remember, your fish will grow.

     

  • Non-compatible fish

    • See compatibility charts or talk to a staff member if you are having trouble with your fish living peacefully together.

     

  • Common diseases

    • There is a range of bacterial and fungal disease which can harm fish. These include white spot, fin rot and tail rot. Talk to a staff member for the best treatment for these in store.

 

My tank is green

Algae are a common issue for fish keepers. The more sun a tank receives the more growth will occur. There are a few options for keeping a tank free of algae: scrubbing the tank during the weekly 10% water change, snails, algae blocks and algae remover treatment. Talk to a staff member in store to decide on the best treatment for you.

fish guide

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