I have 5 new guppies and 1 little catfish in my tank and used to clean my previous fish out weekly with a 20% water change with the gravel cleaner and not take the fish out of the tank. My old fish were just normal goldfish so they were always ok but my guppies and catfish are tiny and dont want to stress them out. Would you take the fish out and clean the tank or leave them in???
2007-05-22 21:53:17 · 14 answers · asked by LOVELY ME 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I would leave them in. Taking them out probably induce more stress on them. :)
Anyway all you need is to cap your hose (if you're using one to drain the 20%) with a plastic filter cap. It should have gaps or holes big enough to allow waste through but small enough not to suck in any of the fishes.
And while cleaning the gravel just keep a eye out for the catfish. :)
2007-05-22 22:13:19 · answer #1 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there,
I too have guppies and catfish, among other fishies. I also use a gravel cleaner, and clean with a 20 or 30 percent water change, although there of course is a full filter system set up, as you will undoubtably have too. As long as your gravel cleaner has a filter on the nuzzle so it can't suck up your little fishies, you should be allright. If you're worried about stressing them out, the gravel cleaner will stress them out less than a fishing net after them if you know what I mean. Also, every decent aquatics shop sells a sera product that reduces the stress in your fish by just puttin some in every time you do a water change. It really works, as I use it for mine myself. Also don't forget to treat your water regularly with all the bits and pieces for chlorine etc.
Good luck.
Kristel
2007-05-23 05:40:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is quite an easy way to clean out your tank while leaving your fish in the tank. I used this technique with my piranhas cause they like to bite. Tools: 1 hose, any size, about 3-5 ft. recommended, and a two 5 gallon buckets(possibly more depending on the size of the tank). Insert 1 end of the hose into the tank, take the other end and suck on it until you get water to come out. Place the hose into 1 of the 5 gallons buckets and the water will drain out automatically into the bucket. While this process is being done...fill the other bucket with fresh water and wait for the other 5 gallon bucket to fill...remove the hose and pore in the fresh water..automatic tank cleaner. if you want, you can also add a larger tube to the one end of the hose and manually go over the bottom of the tank with it to clean out any unwanted waste matter.
2007-05-23 06:02:56 · answer #3 · answered by Josh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take them out of the tank, it stresses them more.
Your goldfish were much dirtier than these fish will ever be, so don't be alarmed if the gravel isn't as dirty as you expect. Goldfish poop a LOT.
Also, be sure you have proper filtration and a heater in this tank. Goldfish like colder water, but your new fish are tropicals and need a constant temperature of 76-78 degrees F to be happy and healthy. =)
2007-05-23 05:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by xnikki118x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would leave them in, your little fishes will get out of the fast enough when they see the gravel cleaner just go carefully
2007-05-23 10:26:41 · answer #5 · answered by boo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave them in and use your gravel cleaner. One thing i have done is used a tank divider, make sure they are all on one side, clean it and then send them to the other side and clean it. that way you know you arent causing them stress and you dont have to stess about sucking them up
2007-05-23 07:56:12 · answer #6 · answered by kitten g 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Leave them in the tank.
Do a 20%-30% water change weekly to help the ammonia level and nitrate.
2007-05-23 06:55:01 · answer #7 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always take mine out and it doesn't seem to do them any harm. Reading the other answers though, maybe you'd be better to leave them in. I don't even clean my fish out myself anyway, my dad does it for me lol You can buy some products to stop them getting stessed out though, try Streszyme. I don't know how it works but i think it has something to do with friendly bacteria. i know that sounds like a yakult advert but it really does work.
2007-05-23 05:12:27 · answer #8 · answered by Helen O 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Leave them in and change 2/3 of water. These fish are hardier thatn goldfish and as they get bigger, they will actually be good at keeping tank clean themselves.
2007-05-23 05:11:31 · answer #9 · answered by musicdancerecords 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always used to leave mine in and they were fine. It takes like a million years to catch the catfish anyway, lol.
But yeah you'll be fine leave em in.
2007-05-23 04:58:10 · answer #10 · answered by Michelle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋