kevin1786

hi all

Could someone help me with a problem. I've noticed my fish are quite lazy and just sit around not doing much most of the day. when it comes to feeding time they dont evan bother swimming around for food and grab the first bit that falls right in front of thier nose's. I do a 25% water change every two weeks and a 50% change every six months. Thier diet is dried flakes (a pinch twice daily). The light in the tank is a 15w full spectrum tube and is on from 5.00pm - 10.00pm (when I'm home). the tank readings and fish in thier are as follows. if some one could come up with a diognosis and a solution I would be most graitfull :-)

Tank size 60L

Neon tetra x8 (5 are new)
mollie x1
dwarf gouami x1 (new)
shrimp x2
dwarf corydora x1 (there was a few more but they died leaving this one left)

NO2: 0mg/l
No3: 25mg/l
gh: 6
kh: 3
ph: 6.8
amonia: 0mg/l
oxegen: 8mg/l
temp: 25c

ajstingy

it shouldn't be anything. everything sounds good, the only thing it could be is the temperature is too cold. Make sure the temp. for your fish is right try 76-79degrees F.

susitna-flower

I do have a couple of observations that might help, and one is from my personal experience....When I had nitrates in my 55 gal community tank above 20/ my fish always were sluggish.....

Your tank has a stocking rate of approx. 20" at this point...in a 15 gallon tank...

That is over the recommended 1"/gallon. In addition you are not doing weekly water changes.

I would suggest if you can't get a bigger tank that you up your water changes....First do as many 25% changes and gravel vacuums every day until you get your Nitrate down to between 5 & 10... You will notice a marked improvement in energy in your fish.. Then do water changes at least once a week to keep the nitrate level down to between 5 & 10....This takes more work with an overcrowded tank...

It takes a discerning eye to note something like the fishes behavior. I know you care, and will be happy when your fish feel better too...

susitna-flower

25C = 77F, so that looks good, though you could up it to 26C if you want...

The only other suggestion I have would be to get food they REALLY love for a treat. Frozen bloodworms two or three times a week would really be good. Fish are healthier if they have a variety of foods...I use shrimp pellets, algae wafers (needed for your molly), frozen brine shrimp and bloodworms, and an occasional shot of vitachem (liquid vitamins), or get the bloodworms that are vitamin enriched.

kevin1786

thanks guys I'll give it all a go