Melika2928
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I have a betta sorority set up in a community tank with 6 platys, 7 neons, 5 kuhli loaches, ghost shrimp, and 2 Chinese algae eaters (which are barely two inches long at the moment). My sorority has gone down from 5 to 4 this week due to one of my girls getting a swollen belly whenever she eats and, needing to monitor her better, I took her out. This is a 30 gallon tank with a power filter with a modified cover to reduce/redirect exit flow. One of my girls has had constant stress marking for a month since I got her, and another started showing her lines yesterday. ( horizontal lines, not vertical)
This is the 10th day since adding them into the community tank. Heavily planted with both live and fake plants, lots of floating anacharis and lots of hiding places. No signs of fighting or tail nipping and they all seem relaxed, even the neons ( not schooling). My loaches always come out and play all day, and there is no frantic swimming, though I do think some of my platys may be doing their breeding "dance".
Took a water sample to the store for a more accurate reading than test strips can give me, and water quality is fine. Water temp is steady temp btwn 78.2-77.8F. Tank is near a window that gets sun in the morning, and it has painted sides and backing.
If anyone has any ideas on what could be causing the stress and/or a way to treat it I'm am all ears. ( I prefer not adding chemicals to my tanks so I am looking for something more natural)
This is the 10th day since adding them into the community tank. Heavily planted with both live and fake plants, lots of floating anacharis and lots of hiding places. No signs of fighting or tail nipping and they all seem relaxed, even the neons ( not schooling). My loaches always come out and play all day, and there is no frantic swimming, though I do think some of my platys may be doing their breeding "dance".
Took a water sample to the store for a more accurate reading than test strips can give me, and water quality is fine. Water temp is steady temp btwn 78.2-77.8F. Tank is near a window that gets sun in the morning, and it has painted sides and backing.
If anyone has any ideas on what could be causing the stress and/or a way to treat it I'm am all ears. ( I prefer not adding chemicals to my tanks so I am looking for something more natural)