Caryl

I think you will find it is also inert.

I left out all the prohibited ones

I don't know if there is anything special about the schist in that particular valley but generally schist is safe to use. Good for stacking to make caves.

Rob was a few years ago

Have you done any tests on the water? What are the pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? I suspect stress from too many fish too soon.

Welcome back Kellsz. I certainly do remember you. Join the Kapi-Mana club as it has a number of members breeding all sorts of fish very successfully

White spot is usually caused by stress so you have to narrow down the cause. Melafix treats ulcers, wounds, fin and tail rot, it is not a white spot cure as far as I know. How long has the tank been set up? You say you do 20% changes once or twice a week which implies it has been going a while but the pics seem to me to show a very newly set up tank. What sort of filtration are you using? The guppies will be attacking the bristlenose because they sense it is not well. I think it had the wounds before the guppies attacked it and it is these wounds that are attracting them to pick.

Lillies of course. Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot's feather) does so well in cold water it infests farm dams and drinking troughs. Papyrus grows well in pond margins, growing in shallow water. The lotus, Nelumbo spp, will do well but needs to be lifted over winter (lillies are supposed to be lifted and divided too). Oxygen weed, Elodea canadensis, also grows well. It is the only one of 3 species commonly called 'oxygen weed' that is permitted in aquaria. There is a plant called alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides, which is a serious problem in waterways north of Auckland. Baby tears, Bacopa, will also adapt to pond life. Another to look for is Starwort, Callitriche stagnalis. It is common in streams and/or creeping over mud. Cardamine, Cardamine lyrata, is best grown as a bog plant and is easily over-run by algae. Commonly called bittercress. Chara globularis can be found throughout NZ. Elatine gratioloides is found in shallow margins of large lakes throughout NZ. Of course, duckweed grows well Lilaeopsis ruthiana and Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae are also found in shallow lakes throughout NZ. Give Lysimachia a go too. It is found in most pet shops (usually under "bunched plants"). Watercress is found in drains and streams. Fish love the roots so it should be regarded as a renewable fishfood rather than a decorative plant Nitella, stonewort, is another plant to try. Irises are easy to get hold of and provide lots of colour. That should give you something to go on for a start :lol:

Hi Damiana and welcome. What a wonderful husband you must have

A few details about the tank would help. What size, what's in it (fish, plants, driftwood etc) and how many, how long has it been going? What pH is the tap water? Driftwood can lower pH, so can large cichlids.

Welcome to the fishroom. Perhaps we will see you in chat one evening - if you have the time to spare!

As was suggested, a test kit would be a much more accurate solution. Why rely on the discomfort of another animal to signal the need for maintenance?

Cellophane can look good too. Crinkle it up first.

All my driftwood comes from salt water at the river mouth, already waterlogged, and salt has never been a problem. It does not absorb any, just make sure you blast it out of the nooks and crannies.

Local council. Is it possible something has died in the water tank?

Give him time! Just keep watching

The house plants aren't meant to be totally submerged HandS so will die after a few months or so.

I have seen tanks with several plecs in together. No problem.

He means gambusia. A nasty little fish, voracious appetite, banned species

Billaneys' place is one big baby factory!! (Watch out Adele and Amy!!! :lol: )

Yes, my post got lost in the crash It is the surface area which is more important than the size, or depth, of a tank. Goldfish need lots of oxygen so break up the water surface as much as possible. The bubbles in the airstone don't release oxygen into the water a they rise up the tank, it is when they break the surface that the action takes place. Bigger fish need more oxygen and better filtration as they put a huge bioload on the filter. Your fish might just have grown a little large for the surroundings which is why it didn't have a problem before, and why it is affecting only the larger of the 2 fish. If it is indeed a lack of oxygen, the problem will worsen over summer as the water warms up as there will be less oxygen in warmer water.

Are his gills looking redder than they should?

Yeah you have to watch how much shell is in it. Beaches differ in this.

It may not be the brand itself, just that your fish didn't like them and/or you overfed We do not slag off products. I do not see a problem with someone saying they found X brand good but the fish did not like Y brand. Everyone's fish have different tastes and what works for one does not necessarily work for another.

Hi there Nigel, Rochelle and Cohen. I understand Palmy doesn't have the best water supply. There is a fish club there but I think they are pretty quiet at the moment.