Here_fishy_fishy

I had a swordtail for about a week he was very weird lol he would always chase his reflection and be funny.. i added a platy who is inlove with my sword then i added a balloon belly molly now my swordtail doesnt swim nor do my other 2....wut is wrong with then? the water is healthy and clear i feed them.. but they wont swim and be funny anymore why?

Blub

Here_fishy_fishy

well i did a 20% water changed today and added solme conditioner i will get my water tested monday so will my fish die? because my gourami i just got rid of was swimming everywhere and being mean to all the others but he is gone now...

Blub

Here_fishy_fishy

ok.. do u think my fish are just a bt scared because it is a new home and i had my vacuum in there so they are a little scared to do anything?

AggieYen

Your fish will continue to act 'funny' until your tank is cycled, unfortunately. The reason is right now the ammonia and nitrites in your tank is increasing, and your fish will feel the effects of that. That's why it is so important to test your water daily so you know what's going on with your tank. Please do consider getting your own water test kit as advised by Hatchet - because you are cycling your tank with fish, it is simply not enough to test your water once a week, or twice a week, or whenever it's convenient to go to the fish store. Often the ammonia and nitrite can spike twice or three times a day, meaning you'll need to change the water multiple times in one day to keep your fish alive.

Here_fishy_fishy

i am beginning to wonder if i want fish anymore i am a bad fish keeper

AggieYen

No, don't say that - we all learn from our mistakes, and we all made a LOT of mistakes starting out (I know I did). It's just a matter of taking on board what people say and listening to advice from us who've gone through the process and learnt the hard way, so you don't have to You'll get there, as long as you're open to listen to what we're saying. Hang in there, and give yourself time to learn!

Blub

Here_fishy_fishy

thanks guys u really are helping me out and i am willing to learn from all of you i just hope i can keep these fish alive and i will not add anymore for awhile i will go get some test kits when i can but due to bad whether i am trapped in the house i will keep updating tho

Here_fishy_fishy

p.s. is it bad i got some fish water in my mouth as i was sucking the water thro my syper..i got alot in my mouth a few times will i be alright?

Blub

Here_fishy_fishy

LOL good i was worried i would wake up with gills

Blub

Here_fishy_fishy

COBettaCouple

If you can get a bottle of Prime and use it for your water conditioner, it will help your fish through the cycle. Start doing 25-40% daily water changes and add an air stone if you don't already have one.

hssea

I first started fish keeping 21 years ago. Had a 20 gall for about 15 years, sold it when we moved across the country. Took two years off, sure did miss watching those fish, then started again 2 yrs ago. Don't give up and don't be hard on yourself if those fish don't make it. I made alot of mistakes with that first tank. Wish I would have found a site like this back then, I used to get my info from employees at petsmart, who sometimes knew about as much as i did. this is an excellent site to learn. Don't worry once the tank is cycled things will get alot easier. I've gotten alot of fishy water in my mouth also !!! yuk. Now I will cover the end of the hose to the bucket with my thumb and fill up the part that goes into tank with tank water. Then lift it out of the tank and do it again (filling the part that goes into the tank). So that the whole shipon has water in it. Then put the vacuum back in the tank and it will work without sucking on the end