Rasak

Hey everyone,

Just started my first tank. I did a little reading on this site and others prior to getting my tank, and talked with a local fish store owner.

The tank is 15 gallons - I have 2 firemouth chichlids.

I started out by using tap water conditioner on the water for my tank, and adding a product called 'Stability' (bacteria) daily, to which the shop owner explained would enable me to add fish within the first two days. The Stability product claims you can add fish at any time so long as you use the product once a day for the first two weeks of the cycle.

I've done the first water change (25%) today. Most of the week including today, ammonia has tested at 0, as with nitrate and Nitrate. pH is between 5.5 and 6.0, which has me concerned. I've added a PH stabalizing tab - was this a good idea? A day later, the PH is still between 5.5 and 6.0. The water is soft.

One of the firemouth is darker than the other, and redness below the gills. In my reading, it seems ammonia can cause this, however as I mentioned, the ammonia level in my tank is 0 each time I test. His eyes seem slightly 'popped out', but I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid here. Your thoughts are appreciated - is he sick?

Reading what I have regarding the cycling process, I would expect to see ammonia, nitrate, and nitrate at this time (had tank for 9 days) in at least some amount. I've used two different testers for PH and ammonia to confirm their values.

I'm feeding the fish twice a day in small amounts.

Temperature is between 26-27.

Also - a few water plants in the tank.

Thanks,
Rick

COBettaCouple

welcome to fishlore.

the pH altering chemicals are best avoided as you end up spending a bunch and making an unstable pH for the fish.

what is your nitrites reading? Do you have a pic to post of the firemouth? he may have popeye and would need treated with Maracyn-2.

dvd_wightman

Welcome to Fishlore! You really shouldn't worry about the pH. You want a stable pH rather than the "right" pH. Plus, if you bought the fish nearby, the pH at the fish store is probably the same, so they are used to that pH. A pic of your firemouths would help to see the eyes. Are the plants in the tank real or fake?

Just for future reference, eventually, a 15 gallon will be too small for a pair of Firemouths, but you should have a good amount of time before you have to worry about that. Good luck!