The sticks are not known for being very reliable. Even the liquid tests can sometimes show no issues even though there is an issue visible on a fish. We cant test for everything unfortunately, and our hobby grade liquid tests rarely give us a full picture. If the tests arrive and give an all clear, I would still continue the water changes. The fish and plants tell the truth.I have ordered a proper water testing kit as every time I've used the dip sticks things look fine.
Be careful not to disturb the biological culture of the tank when you move it, right now with it being such an immature tank you need all the beneficial microbes you have. So make sure things like the sand and filter etc dont get disturbed to a great degree. Dont leave them standing around dry or in stagnant water, dont do too much cleaning. (Light removal of waste from substrate is good, "cleaning" the way we humans see "clean" is bad for the beneficial microbes). I would especially allow your filter to be a bit "dirty" looking for a while, as long as the flow through is good.Tomorrow I am going to do a huge water change as I actually have to move the fish tank, so will be taking the fish out of the tank.
In my opinion no. For now I would just perform large water changes, once a day even unless someone else chimes in. Keep feeding to a minimal level, per day the fish need only food approximately the size of their eyeball. For emergencies this can be reduced even further. It takes a lot to kill a fish from starvation, but a lot of fish die from the effects of too much food.Should I buy something to treat it? Melafix?
This is a good idea. Although test kits in general aren't looked of fondly on ukaps, I think that ammonia and nitrite test kits are invaluable. In the mean time, it would be wise to start performing daily large water changes - although this is inconvenient, it helps keeps the water column bacteria levels low and allows the fish's immune system to catch up, as well as removes any ammonia/nitrite and dissolved organics.I have ordered a proper water testing kit as every time I've used the dip sticks things look fine.
If you dont have anything helpful to say, its best not to say anything at all.Is it not just different?
Jesus Christ…
I am new to the world of fish keeping and wasn't sure. I'd rather check and be safe than sorry.Is it not just different?
Jesus Christ…
Do you not think a person might notice when the colours of their fish change it it becomes pale? Perhaps try being helpful rather than disparaging.Is it not just different?
Jesus Christ…
I think with more experience you will be able to more easily pick up on the subtle signs fish give when they are not in good health. Fish are prey animals and will do their best to try to appear as healthy as possible, this is so they are not singled out and targeted by predators. I understand where you are coming from about cherry shrimp coloration, but its not really a good comparison in this case. For example, the one with a yellow spot (if its on the back) is showing unfertilized eggs. This is also something one learns with experience.What i’m saying is i’m having cherry shrimps (red exactly) and they are have different colours from red to transparent and blue as well. Even one of them is red/transparent with yellow spot on it. So please don’t tell me one a bit more different cory is making any difference. Not every life being on this planet is different. Hasn’t it ?
Don’t be so over worried people please!
If you dont have anything helpful to say, its best not to say anything at all.
Sorry pal.I think with more experience you will be able to more easily pick up on the subtle signs fish give when they are not in good health. Fish are prey animals and will do their best to try to appear as healthy as possible, this is so they are not singled out and targeted by predators. I understand where you are coming from about cherry shrimp coloration, but its not really a good comparison in this case. For example, the one with a yellow spot (if its on the back) is showing unfertilized eggs. This is also something one learns with experience.
Starting treatment (whether that includes medication or not) early before things progress to really obvious issues gives much better odds for the fish.
Being completely close minded just means the fish will turn up dead one day and one would be none the wiser. "Oh, dead fish. How random." Sometimes the issue is big enough that several fish are suddenly dying. Usually this prompts a desperate post about the dead and dying fish on some forum or other. Polly's fish are lucky that their owner is observant and asked for advice early on.
Being less dismissive and more open to learning from people who have more experience is a great way to gain experience for oneself, especially if it means one can skip experiencing all problems first hand.
I learn a lot all the time from people on UKAPS who have more experience than me, even if I have been in the hobby for around 15 years already.
You're not seriously comparing catfish to shrimp are you? By that logic, if I suddenly turn ghostly white, it's no cause for concern right? The corys in this picture have pretty clear barbell erosion, so that in combination with a pale colouration definitely gives reason for alarm. The advice given in this thread so far is mostly to just do more water changes, which would only ever be beneficial in the suspicion of illness.What i’m saying is i’m having cherry shrimps (red exactly) and they are have different colours from red to transparent and blue as well. Even one of them is red/transparent with yellow spot on it. So please don’t tell me one a bit more different cory is making any difference. Not every life being on this planet is different. Hasn’t it ?