Darla Doom
- #1
I won an iridescent shark catfish from a fair on Friday. The next day, Saturday, I went to Petco and purchased a 20 gal tank kit and was told to run the filter for at least 24 hours b4 placing any fish. I let the the filter run the 24 hours only before putting my fish in, Sunday, bc he didn't look like he was doing well at all in the container he was in. (He started having a reddish nose and mouth). (I showed pics of him to Petco and they are the ones that told me to put him in the tank immediately.) Also, he hasn't eaten his food in the 4 days since I got him. Today is day 4, Tuesday, and he seems to be doing much better healthwise as the red color around his nose and mouth have gone- although he is missing 2 of his barbels. (Should I be worried about the missing barbels?) He still isn't eating though. I've given him sinking wafers and shrimp pellets- he won't take. (I'm going to try feeding him algae wafers as one website suggested.) And now with all this, his water has turned cloudy. I went ahead and removed all the uneaten food as I think it just sitting there caused the water to become murky. Should I do a 30% water change? My pH is a 7.2 per Petco. I need to buy a testing kit tomorrow to determine the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Should I also purchase one more hardy fish like a molly to help get he tank started? Do you think at this pont I should purchase Bio Spira to help things along? Should I also get 1 bottom feeder to eat the scraps? My cat isn't eating and definitely not pooping. How am I supposed to establish the good bacteria cycle with him not cooperating? I know about not overpopulating the tank in the beginning so I am very wary.
Also, I do undertsand the nitrogen cycle.
I am new to freshwater aquariums. Please help. I don't want to kill the fish. Anything you all can comment on would be appreciated. Thank you all in advance!!
Also, I do undertsand the nitrogen cycle.
I am new to freshwater aquariums. Please help. I don't want to kill the fish. Anything you all can comment on would be appreciated. Thank you all in advance!!