Vet Q&A-Fish

i have a platy fish she's a female and she hasn't eaten anything all day (i gave her food but she didn't care) she keeps pooping long redish things and she hides behind decorations or stays in a corner. When i put my finger close to the aquarium to check if she wasn't dead she freaked out and started bumping into the glass (she usually doesn't do that when she's scared) I've had her for 3 days and she's my only fish. Im thinking she might have gotten pregnant at the pet shop i dont know tho :(

If the tank was not properly cycled before she went in, the water qualityu may be affecting her. Check the water parameters first. Temperature should range bewteen 68 F and 78.8 F (20C to 26C). Using a home test kit, ammonia and nitrites should read 0 ppm. Nitrates should be 40 ppm or less. Platys do best in a pH of 7 to 8.3. Adjust parameters as needed and see if it makes a difference in her behavior. Offer a variety of appropriate pelleted and flaked food as well as freeze dried to see if she has a preference. Platys are livebearers with a gestation of around 28 days. She will become noticeably bigger as her date approaches. If she is pregenant and has fry, you will need to separate her or give the fry plenty of cover in the tank. If not, she will eat them. The stress of a new tank and water may also be a factor. Hopefully, with some adjustments and different foods, she will perk up.

First and foremost, my tank was very dirty. So dirty to the point that one of my goldfish was turning a brownish- black color. The other one seemed alright. When I did a 100% water change I saw a fuzzy white streak on its body that turned out to be fungus. However after a few hours in the water the fuzzy streak seemed to be stripping off. There's still a bit on its body but not as good prominent looking. Can you tell me what this means? P.S. - I didn't add any aquarium salt or fungus medical

It may have been her slime coat coming off. The black color could have been caused by high ammonia levels. It can cause "burns" which will discolor scales. In the future, it is best to perform 30-50% water changes daily to balance chemistry and improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Your filter should be rated to handle at least twice the water volume of the tank.

we have a 17 year old Persian type cat,(fluffy coat) who keeps being sick with fur balls, we have tried food made to reduce fur balls to no effect, changed her food portions to a little but often. different types of food raw fish etc with oil, to no avail, she can go for 3 - 4 days without being sick, then she vomits up 3 - 4 days of food with furballs ?????? she is very thin but still very active, when not asleep !

HI, thanks for using Petcoch! Poor Molly! Due to Molly's age I want to be sure that you have had your Vet do a physical and had full blood work done to check her for kidney disease and an overactive thyroid. If you haven't that should be done. The most common reason if the blood work is normal for chronic vomiting with or with out hairballs is inflammatory bowel disease. Molly could have her belly ultrasounded to take a look at the thickness of her intestines and how big her lymph nodes are. Treatment consists of steroids and a prescription hydrolyzed diet. Another option is to have a groomer perform a lion cut! That cuts down on the hair she can ingest and plus she will look super cute! I hope this helps and good luck!

My marine class are getting Silver Perch. We are putting them in this enclosure. What type of equipment will we need to keep them away from disease, pests, and also what filters and water temperature will we need to keep them alive. How do we breed them and what type of food is needed.

Depending on the number of fish you get, water quality will be the most important factor in maintaining their health. You'll need quite a large filter for a tank that size. Ideally, choose one that is rated to handle at least twice volume of water in the tank. Mechanical, chemical and biological filtration are all recommended as well as the inclusion of an ultraviolet filter. Silver perch are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters but thrive at temps between 23 C and 28 C. You may need a heater or heaters capable of maintaining that range. They will spawn anywhere between October and April depending on the age of the fish. Mature fish will spawn early, between October and February, while younger fish will spawn late winter into early Spring. They are an omnivorous species but do well on a commercial pelleted fish chow. One suggestion would be to contact local owners of fish ponds, pond builders and large scale breeders to get more detailed information and to see operations and set up in person.

Hi, I'm planning on getting a betta fish and I'm wondering what foods are best for it

These are the two highest rated foods for your Betta! You can pick some up when your go in to purchase your Betta; Freeze dried bloodworms https://m.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/omega-one-freeze-dried-betta-treat# Aqueon Natural Beta Food https://m.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aqueon-betta-color-enhancing-pellets-betta-food#

I have a fighter fish it's red but this morning it's color turned yellow he won't eat and he swims crazily as if he's scared and then stops and looks dead but he's not. Can you tell me what's wrong with him and how can I help him?

He appears stressed. When a fish has it's fine clamped, this means something is wrong. Check the water parameters. Temp should be between 78 F and 80 F. Chemistry should read 0 ppm (parts per million) for ammonia and nitrites, nitrates should be 40 ppm or less. You can use a home test kit or submit a sample for testing. Most pet stores or aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee. Correct any imbalances via partial water changes. Use aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. If he has a bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, you will need to treat him using an appropriate medication that can be purchased online or in the aquarium section of your local pet store.

I have two comet goldfish. I realized that one of them was turning a brownish-black color. After a bit of research I realized that the level of ammonia was to blame and so I did a 100 % water change. After the water was clean I saw that my other fish has a white streak that runs across his lower half. From the side it looks flat but from about it looks a bit fuzzy. It might be fungus but I'm not entirely sure. Can you help yo identify what it is and how to get rid of it? Please and Thank You

If it is fuzzy, it is likely fungal. You can try with a commercial antifungal medication such as API Fungal Cure, methylene blue or Pimafix/Melafix. These can be purchased online or in the aquarium section of most pet stores. Read package directions carefully and remove the carbon insert from the filter before treatment if indicated. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used in conjunction with one of the above treatments to aid healing. Dissolve up to one tablespoon per gallon of water into the tank. Fungal infections can take up to two weeks to resolve with treatment. Maintain proper water parameters (0 ppm ammonia/nitrites, 40ppm or less nitrates and temp of 65 F to 72 F). If possible, remove the affected fish yo a hospital tank during treatment.

I have started feeding my dog on a BARF diet and have been monitoring his poop. He's been on it for about 4 weeks. He had diahrea yesterday and now his poop is a yellowish color. I'm not sure what's normal when feeding raw and would like some help clarifying or suggestions for supplements. Currently he gets coconut oil tumeric paste and fish oil. I've been trying to add pumpkin as well as Apple cider vinegar

Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. Feeding BARF diet is not recommended and can be the cause of the diarrhea and yellow poop that you are seeing. Any raw food, or bones of any kind (cooked or raw) put the GI tract at danger for a nasty infection (just like you or I eating raw food, there is bacteria that can cause food poisoning). Bones have the potential to cause obstructions, perforations, bone-hardened constipation, and severe gastritis and pancreatitis. Especially in a puppy that is only 4 months old, as their immune systems are not fully developed. I would recommend feeding a high quality puppy food. If you would like to home cook that is great, and a combination of meat and vegetables (onions, garlic, grapes and raisins are toxic) is fine, just cook the meat as you would for yourself. If you wouldn't feed it raw, then it isn't good for your domesticated pet raw either. Adding as much oil and other 'stuff' to his food as well could be too hard on his system, as oil is fatty and dogs don't tolerate the amount of fat that we eat in our diets. Pumpkin is very good for teeth (raw pumpkin) and cooked it is a good source of fibre. Best of luck with Marvel!

My dogs diet is 80% from a complete and balanced food and about 20% from treats chews and supplements (fish oil, joint pill) is this ok/balanced? Should I be giving her a daily multivitamin? She only gets one 30 calorie cookie per day and 1 pigs ear or 6" bully stick per week. Please explain. Thanks!

I would not consider supplements like fish oil and joint supplements to be part of the caloric intake in a dog. I always recommend that 90% of a dog's calories come from a balanced commercial dog food, and 10% can be edible treats. If she is eating a commercial diet, then there is no reason to add a multivitamin since the diet should have all of the nutrients that she needs. It sounds like her treats are not over the top, but that would also depend on how she looks! If she is overweight you may need to decrease the cookies.