Fish Question
- Thread starter richardhmc
- Start date
Yes. I was thinking the same exact thing. I was wondering if that even was a dempsey since it looked much different and it stayed black all the time! I was told that dempseys change color from white to black depending on if they are scared or not?(Im not sure).
I am not used to all these new fish names but what is a Pacu?
I plan on getting a Plecto because I know it helps alot with algae problems.
The fish store that I went to, It was a Petland Discounts, if anyone knows what that is and the people there seemed to know a little. When I asked for three Dempseys, they gave me three other fish that were black and white. I asked are you sure those are dempseys? because they charged me double the price I was supposed to pay for. So they dumped them all back in, and I told them firmly: I Want Three Jack Dempseys. So the guy is like okay and they gave it to me.
Now I've figured out its not a dempsey. Because one fish keeps poking it.
I think its gunna die soon anyways because it keeps laying down on the gravel. I have a feeling the jack dempseys will eat it soon. But right now, they aren't eating anything.
Also, should I add in natural plants? They look nice and I think they would offer cover the fish but are there any special requirements?
I am having a bit of trouble with my heater where it gets my tank up to about 70 fahrenheit. Is that okay with Jack dempseys? I got the heater with a starter set and its only for 10 gallons it says.
Any other fish I can add? Thanks everyone for your advice.
I am not used to all these new fish names but what is a Pacu?
I plan on getting a Plecto because I know it helps alot with algae problems.
The fish store that I went to, It was a Petland Discounts, if anyone knows what that is and the people there seemed to know a little. When I asked for three Dempseys, they gave me three other fish that were black and white. I asked are you sure those are dempseys? because they charged me double the price I was supposed to pay for. So they dumped them all back in, and I told them firmly: I Want Three Jack Dempseys. So the guy is like okay and they gave it to me.
Now I've figured out its not a dempsey. Because one fish keeps poking it.
I think its gunna die soon anyways because it keeps laying down on the gravel. I have a feeling the jack dempseys will eat it soon. But right now, they aren't eating anything.Also, should I add in natural plants? They look nice and I think they would offer cover the fish but are there any special requirements?
I am having a bit of trouble with my heater where it gets my tank up to about 70 fahrenheit. Is that okay with Jack dempseys? I got the heater with a starter set and its only for 10 gallons it says.
Any other fish I can add? Thanks everyone for your advice.
How quickly after you set the tank up did those fish go in? From the bubbles on the glass I would guess the fish went it about 5 minutes after the water was put in.
Did you dechlorinate the water? If not get something like Prime or any other water conditioner and follow the directions on the bottle.
Second please don't put any more fish in the tank until it is cycled. Buy an ammonia kit and nitrite water test kit. Again follow the directions on the kit and when you have readings of zero.
If you do not know what cycling a tank is do a google search on aquarium cycling or even search the forum It's probably on here somewhere
Did you dechlorinate the water? If not get something like Prime or any other water conditioner and follow the directions on the bottle.
Second please don't put any more fish in the tank until it is cycled. Buy an ammonia kit and nitrite water test kit. Again follow the directions on the kit and when you have readings of zero.
If you do not know what cycling a tank is do a google search on aquarium cycling or even search the forum It's probably on here somewhere
richardhmc;601249; said:Hi everyone and monsterfishkeepers.com! I am not sure if this is in the right forum and I'm sorry if it is. I just started a great fish hobby and ive got three jack dempseys (2 of them about 1 inch long and one half and inch). These are the fish that i picked to start with since I've heard they are very hardy and are tolerant of many things. Well, in this starter 10 gallon tank (nobody go into shock that I have a small tank because I will upgrade to bigger one this christmas.) I want to add some more fish. Maybe two more fish until i get the hang of it. Any Suggestions?
Hi Richard, and WELCOME to MFK!!!
Don't be ashamed to own a ten gallon tank. I have 156 of them! Welcome to the addiction. One of the hardest things to do is to resist the urge to buy more fish. When one is dying, that is exactly what you have to do. Unless you buy another tank
Hold off on more fish untill you know your third fish will make it. Depending on how long your ten gallon has been set up could determine why that one is dying. If the tank and filter are not cycled, adding more fish could kill all of them. Right now you need a test kit but you can get your water tested for free at many independent fish stores. They will also give you lots of good advise. You can get your water tested at any Walmart but the people there are not knowlegable about anything other than how to net fish. (You may as well take a water sample and test kit to McDonalds and ask someone there.) If the water is good and your LFS (local fish supplier or local fish store) gives you the go ahead, add fish slowly. It will take some time for the filter to catch up to the bio-load of the new fish. Another thing to keep in mind: when you have a dying fish, what is killing it can kill your other fish and the new ones too. I am having that issue with my swordtail tank.
No, actually I knew a bit about putting fish in. I first put in the gravel(that i washed) and water up to 1 cm from the top. Then I added the lid w/ lights, filter, and heater. (I could already tell these were crappy) I waited until the water was 70 F and then i took my three fish in the bag and let it float on the water for about 15 minutes. The bubbles I think came from the hot water that I was pouring into the tank because it was taking forever for the water temperature to go higher.
Sigh, I had a feeling there was going to be alot of things following a fish tank.
Dechlorinate? Ammonia Kit? Nitrate Water Test? Cycling? Looks like have ALOT of homework to do.
Can anyone tell me what these things are and how I can get them?
I know I will probably have to get a better filter since I got the one that is like a cube, with an air pump and it doesnt seem to do so well. Plus my heater looks like it has some kind of limit... I love being a beginner.
Walmart has fish?!?! I thought it was a clothes and food store!
Sigh, I had a feeling there was going to be alot of things following a fish tank.
Dechlorinate? Ammonia Kit? Nitrate Water Test? Cycling? Looks like have ALOT of homework to do.
Can anyone tell me what these things are and how I can get them?I know I will probably have to get a better filter since I got the one that is like a cube, with an air pump and it doesnt seem to do so well. Plus my heater looks like it has some kind of limit... I love being a beginner.
Walmart has fish?!?! I thought it was a clothes and food store!
Woah. I thought my fish were dead... except that I forgot that they don't have eyelids and they sleep. lol. Gave me quite a scare... 
The little guy seems to be dieing but I'm not sure.
The little guy seems to be dieing but I'm not sure.
Actually, I take that back about the little guy about hes not a jack dempsey. Now that I woke him up, he turned white and i can see the resembalance with the others. It also has vertical striped across.
Also, how can you tell If you have a male or female? I don't have to flip the fish upside down do I?
Also, how can you tell If you have a male or female? I don't have to flip the fish upside down do I?
Here are some new pics that i am pretty sure the lil guy is a jack dempsey 
They are too small right now to tell the sex.
What is meant by cycling a tank or filter is it needs to build up a bacteria culture that will consume the fish waste and render it harmless. The fish waste turns into ammonia which is toxic and can kill your fish. Fish urine is already mostly ammonia. When the ammonia reaches high enough levels, your fish will become stressed and start to die. Get your water tested soon; your fish store will recommend what you need to do to make the water right.
As for different filters, look for one that will hang on the back (HOB filter) and make sure it has a Bio-Wheel. Your fish will thank you for it.
What is meant by cycling a tank or filter is it needs to build up a bacteria culture that will consume the fish waste and render it harmless. The fish waste turns into ammonia which is toxic and can kill your fish. Fish urine is already mostly ammonia. When the ammonia reaches high enough levels, your fish will become stressed and start to die. Get your water tested soon; your fish store will recommend what you need to do to make the water right.
As for different filters, look for one that will hang on the back (HOB filter) and make sure it has a Bio-Wheel. Your fish will thank you for it.
Thank you chompers you know alot Where can I get all this information on requirements like cycling and stuff besides the fish store?
And later when they do get big, then how do you tell what sex it is?
Bio-wheel, is that the ones that turn in the filter?
I heard of bio, mechanical and chemical.....
Where can I get all this information on requirements like cycling and stuff besides the fish store?And later when they do get big, then how do you tell what sex it is?
Bio-wheel, is that the ones that turn in the filter?
I heard of bio, mechanical and chemical.....
