dmmiller360

Hi,

We inherited a fish tank with some fish in it. It has three fish, one Oscar, a algea eater and a bala shark.

We have some fake plants in the fish tank, it was smelling pretty bad, even though we've done 50% water changes every weekend, so went to a local pet shop and they said to use this charcoal filter in it, so we did. Now the fake plants have these growths on the end of them, looks like fussy things on the end of the plants (grass plants), kind of looks likes rock candy on the ends of the grass, or snow flake crystals.

the tank is still smelling, although not quite as bad, the plants use to sway in the bubbles but now they are just sitting still, and almost look like they are sitting still. the fish are not showing any signs of being sick, but we did have more fish in there before, but they died, but thought the Oscar might have had something to do with that since he chased them around quite a bit. The Oscar doesn't seem to be eating as much as he use to either.

Any one have any idea of what might be wrong with the tank?

Thanks

Lucy

Hi dmmiller360 Welcome to Fish Lore

No offense, but it sounds like you inherited a mess. The tank is really too small for an oscar. It's recommnded they have a 55g.
Do you know what kind of algae eater you have? Some stay small, others can grow huge.

It sounds like you have mold or fungus growing on your plants.
I'm guessing your water parameters are out of wack due to the waste the oscar, and possibly the algea eater produces.

Do you have a water testing kit?
Do you know what your readings are for ammonia nitrites and nitrates are?

I'd start with daily water changes, a good vacuuming of the gravel and I'm pretty sure you're going to have to take the plants out and wash them off in either used tank water or dechlorintaed water.

That should give you a start, other members will probably be along to help you further.

Good luck.

Barbrella

Agree with Lucy. There is no way to keep these fish in that tank.

Not sure if your algae eater is a pleco, but if it is, that and the Oscar output large quantities of waste that are quickly polluting the tank. Ammonia and nitrites will rise rapidly, poisoning the fish.

I know you inherited this tank, but you need to either upgrade or try and find new homes for these fish.

pepetj

Hi dmmiller360. Welcome to fishlore!

If your tank info is correct, you are keeping an Oscar, a Bala Shark, and maybe -I'm not sure which algae eater you have- a common pleco in a very small tank. Your water's bad smell is likely a sign that you have ammonia and/or nitrites present (those two parameters should be zero), and elevated nitrates as well. Your actual fish load strongly suggests that too.

You need, at minimum a 55gal tank for one Oscar OR one Bala Shark and no other fish in it. Even then, you will need filtration at least moving ten times the volume of your tank per hour (550GPH) if you decide to keep the Oscar. Any of those two would grow to 13". If your algae eater is a common pleco... well those guys can grow even bigger, 18-24" easy.

I'm not here to tell anyone what to do. I know you inherited this tank; if I were in your situation, I would either give all those fish to someone who can keep them; or get a bigger tank (6 foot long if you want to keep them all). I am not sure if Oscars and Bala Shark are compatible tankmates, but they might if both grow at a similar rate.

Oscars will eat any fish that fits in their mouth, they even attempt to eat those that are bigger. Bala Sharks will likely eat small fish, like tetras.

Consider re-stocking your 40gal tank, it's a good size tank for schooling fish, but you could do a lot with it. Is it 48" long?

Hope this helps


Pepe
Santo Domingo