Caper

Guppies and platies have had their salt bath. That part was easy, it was catching them that was hard. Now I'll keep an eye out to see if they still scratch! THANK FOR ALL THE HELP Of course...I have one more question on the subject :roll: :roll: Does scratching always mean something is wrong...or do fish ever "just scratch"? I read somewhere on the net that they can scratch for no particular reason other than being a bit itchy (sorta like us, was the way it was explained)...any truth in this?

Thanks so much guys for the info... :oops: and for putting up with me. I've read the article Alan and it has been added to my favourites. I did look at the first address under your signature Bill, will have to check it out again today. I've been off work since yesterday...and haven't been feeling up to snuff...so will read again today. Hey, maybe I need a salt bath Salt bath for fishies today! :oops: Couple more questions: 1) Can I use bucket used for water changes? 2) Can I put all the affected fish in together? 3) And I am using water removed from tank? Thanks again

Thanks Alan & Bill Okay, I see what you're saying about the evaporation and top ups compared to water removal (water changes) in regard to salt being removed from the tank. But, :oops: sorry guys :oops: , aside from using salt as a tonic, should I have salt in both my tanks ALL the time (unless I have fish that shouldn't be in salt)? If that is so, then everytime I change my water the water I put back in should have salt in it, am I getting the hang of this :oops: :oops: ? 10 gallon: 2 ottos, 1 common goldfish, 3 fantails (should I have salt in tank with ottos??????) -regular water change of approximately 20% (could be a tad more if evaporation has taken place), which is close to 9L (2 gallons) -so, I should be adding salt to the water going back in 1 tablespoon/gallon or 1 teaspoon/litre? 29 gallon: 9 neons, 2 black neons, 3 platies, 3 guppies, 2 mollies same as above (in relation to the 20% change). Bill, what site of yours does Alan mean? Proper way to do a salt bath, I've read a few places about doing this, what do you recommend (e.g. what to put fish in, amount of salt, how long, repeat, etc???) Thanks again

I know what it is...it is the Loch Ness Monster...that is why they can't find it...it is hiding in Melanie's tank Sorry...couldn't resist...if I saw anything like a worm in my tank I would go ballistic...ahhh...make that crazy! Sorry Ballistic But worms...and snakes...or anything that closely resembles...scare the...?....out of me :evil: :evil:

Snowman...just wondering...how are you guppies doing? Can you give us an update?

Well...I don't want to end up with the Dead Sea in my tank I just checked on the box and July 14th was the first time I added salt to both tanks. The lady at the dept. store said only add every 3 to 4 months. But because I was having a bit of trouble I did add again, well, I guess almost a month later. So, from what you are saying Alan, I should not add more. If I'm understanding you correctly, Alan, when I top up my tank (evaporation) I don't add salt. But should I be adding salt when I do my water changes? I AM SO CONFUSED with salt versus no salt :-? :roll: Is is possible that the platies and guppies don't like the salt and that is why they are scratching? I just wish they would tell me why they are itchy :roll:

What is this :oops:

I haven't added salt since this was recommended because I had added salt a couple of days before starting this post. I wasn't sure if it was too soon. So, I think it is a week a since I added the salt, should I add more? I've seen on the net about adding salt too...but it doesn't say how often you can add it. I don't want to "overdose" with salt. The fish (only guppies and platies) are still scratching with no visible signs of anything else going on with them. I don't want to add more salt unless you think I can. What should I do? Checked water ammonia 0, nitrites 0, pH between 7.2 and 7.6.

Hi WTM Aren't fish WONDERFUL...so is this site! Take care!

Hello Candela! Plants...plants...did you say plants I have 2 tanks with only artificial plants...too nervous to try real ones...although...maybe...someday Hey, that's actually growth on my part...used to be NEVER :roll: I bet Malaysia has a tremendous variety of fish in the pet stores...unlike where I live You'll find the people here wonderful, to say the least. Since you apparently have a great knowledge of plants I'm sure you will be a great help here. Take care and have fun!

Hi Rockpool! NOVICE...holy cow...you have 2 big tanks and lots of fishies all ready! Unfortunately, I only have 2 small tanks...stares off and dreams of having more... :lol: Anyway, you'll love this site...it is fantastic! Take care.

Hi Naomi! How long have you had fish? What kind? Tanks? I agree with you; you definitely learn more here than you do at a pet store (well, at least where I live). The people are super here, friendly, funny,...and know...a bit about fish ...JK...they KNOW A LOT about fish and are more than willingly to help all! Take care!

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm Tried to find something for you...this is all so far...read down near the bottom talks about fish look ok but act differently.

Sorry...can't help...my 1st goldfish had Ich...and the fish you are describing...I agree with the others...doesn't have Ich. Ich looks like someone put salt on the fish. Hi Shae...where have you been?

Sorry GeeTee...tried to do a search on here to see if I could find that for you...but no luck. Sorry for your, and your son's, loss

Hi Lyniloo! This is a great place...people are wonderful! I certainly can't help you with....plants...shiver shiver :-? :-? :roll: :roll: Not brave enough to try them...yet! Take care!

Any other tanks mates MRSkz? Did you check test the water? Is he new? Is he eating? Wish I could help, don't know about betta's but I'm sure someone here can help you.

:lol: :lol: :lol: You can come and visit anytime. And please bring me some Kribs....

I'm sorry Melanie ...it is sad to loose our little pets. But your tried to help them, and that is more than what some people would do in this world of ours. This is a great hobby...but...the reality is that sometimes no matter what we do...the fishies will die. With fish, it is a real learning process and they are really "different" IMO to take care of as opposed to a pet that you can easily take to the vet (although I guess people do), or feel its tummy, or take its temp, etc. if you know what I mean. Take care Melanie

Hi Douwe...and welcome! This site is fantastic...the peope have so much knowledge and are always eager to help. I'm always asking questions and they haven't kicked me out yet :lol: :lol: :lol: So, you are moving to NZ or will be you visiting? Well, either way...if there is one thing I've learned (aside from helping to take care of my fishies) that New Zealanders are wonderful people. Take care!

The goldfish didn't make it I'll see if I can get one of those sponge filters...hmmm....must look on net to see what they are :-? . What I need is a quarantine/hospital tank but...just cannot get one right now Thanks mustcooktea & misnoma I don't feed any of my fish on Sunday. Monday is the day that the goldfish have been getting their peas and from now on I will mix their food with tank water then put in the tank.

So, if not for the breeding issue, would you still want snails in your tank? When I went to see if I could get ottos, the guy suggested snails, but I don't want them. Seems like a lot of people are always trying to get of them...but I quess it depends on what kind you have too???

Goldfish was doing reasonably well...get in plants...get free...until I went over to check on him and was horrified to see one of my ottos on his tail working his way up...I moved the plant and freed the goldfish...then one of the other goldfish started to nip at him. As important as I know it is to have a quarantine tank...I'm just not able to get one. Anyway, I've removed the poor little bugger and put him in a bucket with tank water and an airline. But even if it was constipation, he can't survive without a filter can he? He's pretty much just floating around the bucket

I think since I have the fantails...that's what I should to do from now on. They'll get used to it and not go to the top wouldn't they?

I think I have read it before...but I still don't seem to have much luck when using the "search". I did have 4 male platies, one of the new guys passed away So, I thought I was left with 3 males...and unless I didn't look close enough when I bought this one...but I was sure he was a male. Anyway, either way...if this is a female...and the other 2 are males...that's trouble is not, 1 female to 2 males. Although, they other 2 don't seem to be bother with...him/her???