HELP! HELP!

[cheezysquirrelz]

I have a 20 gal tank with a molly (in breeder net), a paradise gourami, a gourami (white with 2 black spots), 4 neon tetras, 5 zebras ( 1 short fin, 3 long fin, 1 glo fish), a very small angel fish, a pleco, and some cories. I looked in my tank yesterday morning, and my glo fish was dead and was missing an eye. That evening, I found that the small angel's eye was missing too. This morning I noticed that a zebra's eye was missing! I took my angel to my neighbors house ( they have a tank). What could be causing this????????

 

[puffergirl]

Well first of all it sounds like your 20 gal tank is a little crowded. That angel fish will need a bigger tank one day or that one to itself. Plecos grow very large as well and will definatly need a larger tank as it ages.

As for the eyes going missing the culprit may be your paradise fish, they are known to be semi-aggressive and he might feel crowded.

 

[Fruitbat]

I would immediately suspect the 'paradise gourami'. The Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is an anabantoid...like the gouramis...but can have a decidedly nasty temperament. Now that you've removed the angelfish...if the problem with missing eyes continues you can pretty much bet it is the Paradise that is the culprit.

 

[cheezysquirrelz]

Thanks.......but what can I do with the paradise fish? I have an empty 5 gal that I was thinking of moving 1 or 2 fish into. Should I move 1 or both gouramis into it? Also can gouramis tolerate salt? The angel is about 1 inch tall, and the pleco is about 3 inches long. I was planning to give the two to someone who has a bigger tank when they get too big or get a bigger tank in the future.

 

[Cherry Barb]

Also can gouramis tolerate salt?

Depends on what you mean by tolerate salt. When I do my water changes I add a tablespoon of Doc Wellfish's Aquarium salt for every five gallons I am changing. This is the normal dose to help reduce stress on the fish. Gouramis will do well with those conditions. They will not however, tolerate actual "salt water."

 

[cheezysquirrelz]

Ok thats what I have in the 5 gal tank. Im going to move the paradise gourami now.