I can't believe I typed a long post, then deleted it by mistake Here it is again. I don't have time to search the internet & do alot of research. I have read enough to guess that my problem is parasites. (belly rubbing, sluggish)
I have 3 established tanks w/ live bearers & tetras. All was fine til this summer when I adopted fish & seaweed from my daughter’s classroom tank. The seaweed had originally been from a pond, but I figured it was probably OK since the fish there had done fairly well (despite total neglect from the teacher).
Unfortunately, it wiped out just about all my guppies in one tank, along with the swords. The tetras & 1 of the catfish have been fine. Before adding new fish, I got rid of most of the water, treated the tank w/ Parasite Clear from Tank Buddies. I adopted another 2 swords & 4 platys from CL. They started rubbing bellies along rocks & objects. Again I treated w/ parasite Clear, then followed their instructions & did a PWC in 2 days, w/ another RX, then repeat in 7 days. The platys are better w/ less rubbing, better appetite, less stringy poop.
All my tank parameters are fine. The tank is not overcrowded.
2 questions.
1. My one remaining adolescent guppy is picking at the formerly ill fish. I do not see ANYTHING external on these fish. Is this a symbiotic parasite? Or is the guppy being aggressive? The guppy is 1/10 the size of the other fish, so it seems weird.
2. Is Parasite Clear the best one or should I use something else.
I have 3 established tanks w/ live bearers & tetras. All was fine til this summer when I adopted fish & seaweed from my daughter’s classroom tank. The seaweed had originally been from a pond, but I figured it was probably OK since the fish there had done fairly well (despite total neglect from the teacher).
Unfortunately, it wiped out just about all my guppies in one tank, along with the swords. The tetras & 1 of the catfish have been fine. Before adding new fish, I got rid of most of the water, treated the tank w/ Parasite Clear from Tank Buddies. I adopted another 2 swords & 4 platys from CL. They started rubbing bellies along rocks & objects. Again I treated w/ parasite Clear, then followed their instructions & did a PWC in 2 days, w/ another RX, then repeat in 7 days. The platys are better w/ less rubbing, better appetite, less stringy poop.
All my tank parameters are fine. The tank is not overcrowded.
2 questions.
1. My one remaining adolescent guppy is picking at the formerly ill fish. I do not see ANYTHING external on these fish. Is this a symbiotic parasite? Or is the guppy being aggressive? The guppy is 1/10 the size of the other fish, so it seems weird.
2. Is Parasite Clear the best one or should I use something else.