what is the white cottony stuff that can get in the bottom of a tank?

Question

I'm not sure if it's growing or what, it just appears there, I had a 2 goldfish and a betta and change the water...

Answer 1

This is caused by overfeeding. It is NOT ich - ich does not float at the bottom of your tank (well, it does, but you can't see it). This is pellets of food that have gone moldy and have fungus/mold growing on it. That's all it is. Cut back on feeding and make sure that everything you feed your fish is eaten within 2 minutes - otherwise, what is left will rot and pollute the tank.

Also, you should not be keeping goldfish and bettas together. Bettas are warm water fish - they are from Thailand and they thrive in water at 80F. Goldfish are cold water fish and require temperatures of 68-72F. Please consider getting two seperate tanks - a 5 gallon would be sufficient for your betta, and your goldfish need 20 gallons of water each.

Answer 2

I had this problems before, it never harmed my fish, although no one's ever been able to tell me what it is. my female betta had it and a few other people I now have had it with their bettas. I know my female produced it. just clean it out of the tank whenever you see it.

however, i must say if you keep the betta and goldfish int he same tank PLEASE move the betta! goldfish are cold water fish and bettas need temp around 80 degrees. 70 they are oky in and 60's they are VERY prone to diseases. also goldfish produce too much waste for bettas to handle, he may be okay now, but it will eventually catch up to him and he'll get very sick. however don't move him to a bowl, bettas need a filter and a heater. the ideal is a 5 gallon tank with a filter and heater and plenty of plants. he'll have a better chance with the goldfish than in a bowl. I hope the tank you have them in is a good size, most goldifhs would need 20-30gallons for two of them.

good luck, I hope you find an answer as to what this is...

Answer 3

Does it appear after you feed? If so, it may be that you are overfeeding, and the food they don't eat settles to the bottom. Another possibility is that the fish have "ick", they are white spots that appear on the fish. It could also be "fungus", it is another disease fish can get. It also is white, but you can tell the difference between ick and fungus because ick is just little white spots either on the fish's body, fins, or all 3, the fungus looks fuzzy, like there is mold growing on your fish. If there are just fuzzies floating in your tanks, it is more than likely overfeeding, especially if it is not attached to your fish. One could have it, the other not. If you go to your local pet store, they should be able to tell you which medication to use.

Answer 4

it is caused by over feeding cut back how much your feeding your fish for only three fish you should only be feeding a very small amount once daily and its also a good idea to once a week not feed for one day lets the fish clean out there bowls

Answer 5

Is it on your fish too? if so it could be a disease called iche. (sp) There is medicine for it at the pet store. I would definitely vacuum it up off the gravel and do a 25% water change.