Vet Q&A

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We just cleaned our betta fish tank. How long should we wait to put him back in?

If you have water conditioner to put into the tank you should be able to put your fish back in it after about 5 minutes. If you do not have water conditioner then you can let the water sit for about 8-12 hours and it should be ok.

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My Fish Stay at the Bottom of a Clean Tank, Are They Ok?

Cleaning the filter and changing the water may have upset the nitrogen cycle in your tank. This is due to removal of beneficial bacteria which convert ammonia (from waste, food, urine, etc.) to nitrites. Water and filter changes can be stressful as well. If you have the means, test your tank water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels. Adjust accordingly using conditioned water or additives that will bind harmful compounds. You can also submit a water sample for testing. Moat pet stores or professional aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee.

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My goldfish is staying at the bottom of the tank and is bent at an angle. Sometimes he frantically swims for 1 sec. He also doesn't/can't eat. What do I do?

Goldfish sit at the bottom of a tank when they are not well, often because toxins have built up in the water. Goldfish are usually active, and lethargy is a sign of illness. Maintaining good water quality is essential for proper aquarium care. In the enclosed, finite space of a fish tank, toxic elements, such as ammonia and nitrates, can build up in the water causing disease and killing fish. The only way to detect and control toxins is to perform regular chemical tests on the water and to perform gradual water changes to remove impurities and maintain the proper water parameters.

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My fish are losing their color like they do when dead then they die it's like they are decaying before they die what causes this & how do I treat/prev

Loss of color in fish can be a sign of severe stress. Stress can be brought on by disease, poor water quality, over cleaning the tank (too frequent or too large water changes), over aggressive fish, poor or inadequate nutrition, being moved, over crowding, and a host of other situations. I recommend that you start by reviewing your water quality and tank environment. How are your water parameters? Review how often you do water changes and how much water you change at one time. How much are feeding? Could you be over or under feeding your fish? Is there a bully fish in your tank - a fish that chases or aggresses against other fish. Are the number of fish in your tank suitable for the size of the tank? Look for signs of disease. Fish can suffer from bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, and parasitic infections, but not all species of fish suffer from the same illnesses. You can find charts of fish diseases in books or on the web to help you narrow down what illnesses might be affecting your fish. Treatment of disease will be based on determining what type of organism is making your fish ill. To prevent illness in fish, maintain high water quality, avoid over crowding your tank, and quarantine new fish before introducting them to your tank.

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Health & Wellbeing

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Common Fungal Infections in Aquarium Fish: Causes and Treatment

Common Fungal Infections in Aquarium Fish: Causes and Treatment

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Hole In The Head Disease in Fish: Causes & Treatment

Hole In The Head Disease in Fish: Causes & Treatment

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
All About Ich in Freshwater Fish

All About Ich in Freshwater Fish

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

New Pet

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Freshwater Crab

Freshwater Crab

Animal Care & Education Team
Caring for Your Fish 101: What You Need to Know

Caring for Your Fish 101: What You Need to Know

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Tetra

Tetra

Animal Care & Education Team

Food & Nutrition

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Overfeeding Fish: Why It's a Problem and How To Avoid It

Overfeeding Fish: Why It's a Problem and How To Avoid It

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
3 Tips for Feeding Freshwater Fish

3 Tips for Feeding Freshwater Fish

Animal Care & Education Team
Feeding Fish on Vacation

Feeding Fish on Vacation

Don Spaeth

Training & Behavior

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Pond Foam: What Causes Foam on Fish Ponds?

Pond Foam: What Causes Foam on Fish Ponds?

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Top 10 Tips for Controlling Algae Growth in Your Aquarium

Top 10 Tips for Controlling Algae Growth in Your Aquarium

PetCoach Editorial
The Cost of Owning Freshwater Fish: What It Takes to Run a Healthy Aquarium

The Cost of Owning Freshwater Fish: What It Takes to Run a Healthy Aquarium

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

New This Season

What is Aquaculture and Why Is it Important?

What is Aquaculture and Why Is it Important?

Animal Care & Education Team

How-To Guides

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Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart & Guide

Freshwater Fish Compatibility Chart & Guide

Don Spaeth
Best Saltwater Fish for Beginners

Best Saltwater Fish for Beginners

Don Spaeth
Best Freshwater Fish for Beginners

Best Freshwater Fish for Beginners

Petco’s Animal Care

Home & Habitat

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Types of White Worms in Fish Tanks

Types of White Worms in Fish Tanks

Petco’s Animal Care
Freshwater Aquarium Plant Care Tips

Freshwater Aquarium Plant Care Tips

Animal Care & Education Team
Brown Algae (Diatoms) in Fish Aquariums

Brown Algae (Diatoms) in Fish Aquariums

Don Spaeth

Product Guides

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Aquarium Sponge Filters

Aquarium Sponge Filters

Don Spaeth
Mini Aquariums: Good Things Come in Small Packages

Mini Aquariums: Good Things Come in Small Packages

Don Spaeth
Aquarium Size & Weight Guide

Aquarium Size & Weight Guide

Don Spaeth

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