In my aquarium there is what appears to be a "fuzz" along the bottom gravel and some of my fish has milky stuff over some of their eyes. What is this and how to I fix it?
2007-09-17 07:57:23 · 11 answers · asked by mitchbuff 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
You have a lot of answers here, both bizarre and those that make a little sense. Rather then being redundant and giving an answer that has already been given, I wanted to let you know that I agree with Copperhead on what is probaby going on with your tank and your fish, and I would have given you the same advice. The only reason I'm typing this is so that you can see that 2 people agree on the same thing, and have a pretty precise suggestion on how to handle it. If this were my tank, I would be doing myself what Copperhead is suggesting.
I hope I am able to help you feel more comfortable in fixing what is going on. Good luck. ;o)
2007-09-17 08:19:11 · answer #1 · answered by MrsCrabs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have two different things you're dealing with here. The fish has a problem known as cloudy-eye: http://www.thatfishshop.com/health/cloudy_eye.htm This can be caused by poor water conditions, a bacterial infection or parasites. If not treated, this could harm your fish's eyesight, or develop into a worse health problem.
What you're seeing on the gravel sounds like fungus growing on uneaten food particles. This is an indication that you're overfeeding your fish, and the uneaten food is decomposing, probably increasing the ammonia and nitrite in the water (which may be the cause of your fish's condition).
You need to feed the fish less (only what they can eat in 2-3 minutes, twice a day, and remove any food uneaten after the time is up), and do a thorough cleaning of your tank gravel. If you don't have a gravel vacuum, get one - this will remove the debris from the bottom and in between the rocks. You want to remove about 25% of the water each week (do about 50% the first ime, since it sounds as though your tank has a lot of debris at the bottom), and replace it with new. When siphoning to remove the water, collect any debris that's sitting on the gravel surface, then clean well into about 1/4 to 1/3 of the rest of the gravel, changing areas each time you clean.
2007-09-17 15:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A FANTASTIC website for aquarium help is http://www.fishlore.com/
There is a forum, and it has helped me a great deal! There are lots of beginner guides, disease charts, and so much more. You can research it yourself, or ask a question in the forum. They really know their stuff!
Now, you should definetly do a water change, I would say about 50% of your water. Water changes really help a lot, but be sure never to change all of the water, because your tank needs to stay "cycled". If there is fuzz all over the bottom, it could be built up waste...just change about half your water. Whenever your tank is really dirty, your fish will start getting sick. I thought it may be ick, but it looks more like specks of salt. It could also be a fungus. You can go to that site and upload a pic, and see if anyone can tell what it is.
2007-09-17 15:09:30 · answer #3 · answered by Angie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a look at this website:
http://animalworld.com/encyclo/fresh/information/Diseases.htm
Under miscellaneous click on eye problems this will answer your problems about your fishes milky eyes. As for the "fuzz" along the bottom gravel, put the gravel in a shallow bucket or a tub, and rubb them with your hands. Then let it sun dry on a paper bag.
2007-09-17 15:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Kii 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definately sounds like a fugus disease. I would do a quick water change (a proper water change), making sure you dont shock the fish. They are probably not doing well as it is and the last thing you want to do is shock them because it may kill them. Call your local fish store and find out the exact right treatement to start them on. Don't put random fugus removal stuff in the tank. Good luck!
2007-09-17 15:03:43 · answer #5 · answered by Larman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Back when I used to have aquariums, I always kept at least one Plecostomus in the tank. They eat algae and are good for keeping that kind of stuff out of your tank. Check with the people at the fish store.
2007-09-17 15:07:49 · answer #6 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It means that your tank is dirty.
You have to clean your aquarium. Make sure you wash the tank really well and replace any live plants and rocks.
Refill the tank with fresh drinking water and change water weekly for the first couple months.
2007-09-17 15:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by F T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It almost sounds like your fish have ichthyophthirius multifilis or, ich for short. Medication is sold at petsmart or other pet supplies stores. Try going to where you bought your fish and asking an associate.
2007-09-17 15:06:00 · answer #8 · answered by Diizzyymmee 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I'm no expert but i would suggest changing the water immediately
2007-09-17 15:00:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Piss in it everyday at the same time for a week
2007-09-17 15:04:36 · answer #10 · answered by Jonny 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋