Animal Stories - People Talking About Aquarium Tropical Fish



Select Pet Atlas	Select A Family	Species / Breed

Aquarium Tropical Fish Articles

Latest Animal Stories on Aquarium Tropical Fish (6177)

Anne - 2009-03-14
I have a striped puffer for about two years, he/she is awsome! Very docile so far, actually I have a hard time keeping things in the tank with him/her, but not because he bothers anyone, it's the other way around! We call him "lil man" he's been so awesome. He stopped eating live food a year ago, I got worried something was wrong as he was keeping a couple guppies as buddies. But I got him eating a variety of frozen foods. He's about 7" long, plump, beautiful blue eyes. He shares his tank with two small clowns, anemone, blue damsel, and an engineer goby that's huge. oh yea, Patrick, the chocolate chip star, he gets hand fed too. They are smart, people tend to think fish don't have much brain other than instinct, but I beg to differ!

Click For Replies (1)

Anonymous - 2013-03-20
this is a freshwater fish.... why do u have it in a salt water tank?

Leo - 2013-03-19
For about four months eight rosy barbs were housed with four shubunkins and recently three of the shubunkin’s tails were nipped by rosy barbs. I’ve removed the barbs to another tank temporally. When the shubunkins tails are grown back in should I return the barbs?

Click For Replies (2)

Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-19
The barbs will more then likely go back at it. Barbs can be a challenge to house with others.
Leo - 2013-03-19
Thank you for your answer. They’re not going back in, I activated another 20-gallon tank just for the Barbs and a few Rosy Reds and I’ll eventually add a few Cory cats.

Leo - 2013-03-19
At what length do the larger shubunkin stop growing in my 80-gallon tank? In order to get an accurate answer I’m assuming a history is needed. I’m presently housing 12 small corydoras at 1'and 2', two large shubunkins at 7' which are about two years old, two others at 3 ½' and one comet at 4' in a well maintained tank. The fish is measured including the tails. I’ve just removed eight rosy barbs due to tail nipping issues and I also removed six remaining rosy red minnows. The larger fish were devouring on minnows. However, I’m presently housing a total of 43 fish inches in my 80-gallon tank. I hope there’s enough history to get an answer. By the way, I tend to believe this site is the most informative website for my needs that I’ve come across and I appreciate all those involved with questions and answers, thank you to all.

Click For Replies (3)

Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-19
You will probably see 12 or so but they are known to grow larger. These fish with the others could eventually out grow the 80 Gallon tank.
Leo - 2013-03-19
Thank you for your prompt answer, it's well appreciated. I’m presently operating a combination filter system pushing 960 gallons per hour and doing large water changes averaging 14 to 20 days apart. I’m on the lookout for a 120-gallon tank for the near future for the big guys so they’ll have more surface area. Again, thanks.

shortcake - 2013-03-19
I have about 9 severums in a tank and I noticed that 2 of them have red mouths, but I wwatched them for a while and they aren't fighting or anything can someone tell me why it's like that?

Click For Replies (1)

Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-03-23
They may have some sort of infection or bacteria. Check the Fish Disease and Treatment Diagnostic Chart for more specific symptoms.

Anonymous - 2013-03-18
I decided today that I wanted a fish! So my dad took me out and bought 2 comet goldfish and they are small so they are in a 5 gallon tank with a filter. Water is cold and there are plants in the tank! They were fine when i brought them home but about 2-3 hours of being in the tank 1 started lying on the bottom of the tank and stayed there for a while. The other will swim aroud then lie at the bottom. They are still breathing but barely moving... Should i be worried? They will take turns lying down and i have been telling my little brother that they are 'sleeping' am i correct in saying this?

Click For Replies (1)

Clarice Brough - 2013-03-18
It's a wonderful thing that you want to keep fish. I'm glad you're father helped you get one, and the goldfish are some of the easiest fish for beginners and great pets. Not sure what the problem is, it could be that they are adjusting... or there could be a problem with their water. The first thing I'd check is the temperature and make sure it's not too cold for them. Also, if you're using tap water, a water conditioner that removes chlorines and chloramines is necessary. Also make sure the filter is providing plenty of water movement so the water stays well oxygenated. Good luck!

Megan Flynn - 2012-06-06
Hello All, I'm really glad that I have found this site! I have two questions: 1) I have just recently (in the last year) lost two of my goldfish (1 comit and 1 Shabuken) and have one lone common in my tank. He is rather large (~3-3.5 inches). I was wondering, would it be advisable to get another, young goldfish with him, or do you think that he will be aggressive with a strange/smaller fish? 2) When I bought my comit and common goldfish, they both were white with large orange spots. After about a year or so, the orange started to fade and become completely white. Although I do like the white fish, I really like the white and orange. I have read that the orange color tends not to be stable and will fade. Is there any why to keep the orange spots, say, with certain food or lighting? Thank you for any advise you can give me! Megan

Click For Replies (1)

Sophie penney - 2013-03-18
I had a goldfish for about 8 years and he was probably around the same size... I thought since he was getting old it would be nice for him to have company... So i went put and bought 2 more goldfish! Within 3-4 days the 2 new fish had died amd started to kill the old one! I dont know if they were sick or what but i advise that you wait till the old one dies:) good luck

catherine - 2013-03-18
I have two venustus fish, one is now hiding in the plants and another of my cichlids is protecting it. What is going on? This behaviour change only occured in the last couple of days.

Click For Replies (1)

Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-18
Maybe they spawned..

Anonymous - 2011-04-20
I am a beginner to the world of fish, and I think I know what I am doing, but want it to be verified.

Here's my setup: 30 gal tank with 2 Sunburst Mollies and 2 sunset platies. I have the temp controlled at 72-78 degrees, I have some big rocks (one big enough to provide shelter), and a few plants, as well as a Chinese dragon bubbler.

Here's my question: I added a Green Spotted Puffer to the mix. Is that ok? I went to WalMart, and their fish fact tag says that the puffer will be ok with Mollies. He seems to be swimming around the whole tank, not bothering other fish, but I am worried about it after reading this website. Any suggestions?

Also, you might not be able to help on this, but my male Mollie keeps picking on the female. I was told to expect them to mate, but it looks more like torture and not mating. It could be that I am a beginner (outside that of a Beta) and just do not know what to expect. Any help here would be appreciated as well!

Thanks in advance!

Click For Replies (8)

Charlie Roche - 2011-04-20
You can click on the links attached to provide you with more detailed information on the fish you have selected. Just a note to say that it is recommended that if you have other fish with a Pufferfish, you have at least a 50 gallon tank. The puffer fella likes to nip at fins. He is not supposed to be agressive and he is supposed to get along with other fish but you need a larger tank. You need a bit of vegatation there for the fish to hide and play in, whatever. Two mollies mating (movie on U-Tube) looks like the guy is trying to slam her, push her and shove her. Weird to see but it must work. Now maybe yours are fighting so watch the movie and then you'll know for sure. Looks like they were fighting to me too.
Anonymous - 2011-04-20
Hmm. I wasn't told that I would need a 50, but that could be the case. The little guy has been in the tank for about 3 hours now, and he is starting to warm up to it. He swims around a lot, and doesn't seem to bother other fish. He was almost completely grey when I added him, but now his head and some of his body is back to Green. I have a 10 gal that my Beta is currently residing in that I could move him to. I bought some live plants tonight as well, so within a few weeks I should have some more greenery. I currently only have plastic plants, good ole WalMart doesn't say anything about live plants being a necessity.
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
Yep, the information says if you just have the puffer, then a 20 gallon tank is fine but if you are adding (or have) other fish, you would need at least a 50 gallon. Puffer fish also need something to wear their teeth down so snails or some such other hard food. The 10 gallon tank is too small for the puffwer, definitely too small if there is another fish in it.
Did you find the move on Mollies on U-Tube? There is one on just gold fish also. Strange.
Yes, you need some plants. Have fun and enjoy. Remember all these fish are going to get bigger. The mollies will probably go 4 - 6 inches.
Anonymous - 2011-04-21
Yes. Well, I took Mr Puff to Petco and donated him. I decided that I didn't want to ruin his little life just because I jumped in without surveying the water first. I think once I am out of an apartment and have my bigger tanks I will go get another puffer and try again. Thanks for all your help!

Oh, random question. How many more fish can/ should I put in this 30 gallon? Currently I have 2 Mollies and 2 Platies. Thanks!
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
I am responding to the other email which tells me you took the puffer back. You are asking how many additional fish you can put in a 30 gallon tank with 2 mollies and 2 platies. If you think 1 inch per gallon (just as a rule of thumb) and subtract out for gravel, decorations etc a 30 gallon should leave you with about 27 gallons of swiming area. So the two mollies are 12 inches (as adults) and the two platies are 5 inches (as adults) which equals 17 inches. So you can add two other compatible fish whose adult size is not greater than 5 inches each. OK? Yeah probably best to take back the puffer. Good thinking on your part.
Dioafui - 2011-05-09
You're fine, but the male fish will chase the female to death. You should have at least three females per male, because of his desire to pro-create. I don't know about puffers, but you spelled betta wrong.
nic - 2011-08-05
Here's where you went wrong. NEVER buy fish from Walmart they are cruel to their fish. They all have an illness and are not healthy fish and Walmart does not have any idea how to care for fish. They just want to make money. I had gotten a mollie and it had 50 babies and think first about how big each baby gets. hope this helps.

p.s get live plants like water sprites
brookes - 2013-03-17
thats not true i bought mine from walmart and it was a little agrisssive at the first 4 days then it got calm it was just scared thats all. all i got to say is love your green spotted puffers. i mean who can't love that little pug face of there's...lol..!

Click For Replies (8)

Charlie Roche - 2011-04-20
You can click on the links attached to provide you with more detailed information on the fish you have selected. Just a note to say that it is recommended that if you have other fish with a Pufferfish, you have at least a 50 gallon tank. The puffer fella likes to nip at fins. He is not supposed to be agressive and he is supposed to get along with other fish but you need a larger tank. You need a bit of vegatation there for the fish to hide and play in, whatever. Two mollies mating (movie on U-Tube) looks like the guy is trying to slam her, push her and shove her. Weird to see but it must work. Now maybe yours are fighting so watch the movie and then you'll know for sure. Looks like they were fighting to me too.
Anonymous - 2011-04-20
Hmm. I wasn't told that I would need a 50, but that could be the case. The little guy has been in the tank for about 3 hours now, and he is starting to warm up to it. He swims around a lot, and doesn't seem to bother other fish. He was almost completely grey when I added him, but now his head and some of his body is back to Green. I have a 10 gal that my Beta is currently residing in that I could move him to. I bought some live plants tonight as well, so within a few weeks I should have some more greenery. I currently only have plastic plants, good ole WalMart doesn't say anything about live plants being a necessity.
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
Yep, the information says if you just have the puffer, then a 20 gallon tank is fine but if you are adding (or have) other fish, you would need at least a 50 gallon. Puffer fish also need something to wear their teeth down so snails or some such other hard food. The 10 gallon tank is too small for the puffwer, definitely too small if there is another fish in it.
Did you find the move on Mollies on U-Tube? There is one on just gold fish also. Strange.
Yes, you need some plants. Have fun and enjoy. Remember all these fish are going to get bigger. The mollies will probably go 4 - 6 inches.
Anonymous - 2011-04-21
Yes. Well, I took Mr Puff to Petco and donated him. I decided that I didn't want to ruin his little life just because I jumped in without surveying the water first. I think once I am out of an apartment and have my bigger tanks I will go get another puffer and try again. Thanks for all your help!

Oh, random question. How many more fish can/ should I put in this 30 gallon? Currently I have 2 Mollies and 2 Platies. Thanks!
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
I am responding to the other email which tells me you took the puffer back. You are asking how many additional fish you can put in a 30 gallon tank with 2 mollies and 2 platies. If you think 1 inch per gallon (just as a rule of thumb) and subtract out for gravel, decorations etc a 30 gallon should leave you with about 27 gallons of swiming area. So the two mollies are 12 inches (as adults) and the two platies are 5 inches (as adults) which equals 17 inches. So you can add two other compatible fish whose adult size is not greater than 5 inches each. OK? Yeah probably best to take back the puffer. Good thinking on your part.
Dioafui - 2011-05-09
You're fine, but the male fish will chase the female to death. You should have at least three females per male, because of his desire to pro-create. I don't know about puffers, but you spelled betta wrong.
nic - 2011-08-05
Here's where you went wrong. NEVER buy fish from Walmart they are cruel to their fish. They all have an illness and are not healthy fish and Walmart does not have any idea how to care for fish. They just want to make money. I had gotten a mollie and it had 50 babies and think first about how big each baby gets. hope this helps.

p.s get live plants like water sprites
brookes - 2013-03-17
thats not true i bought mine from walmart and it was a little agrisssive at the first 4 days then it got calm it was just scared thats all. all i got to say is love your green spotted puffers. i mean who can't love that little pug face of there's...lol..!

Click For Replies (8)

Charlie Roche - 2011-04-20
You can click on the links attached to provide you with more detailed information on the fish you have selected. Just a note to say that it is recommended that if you have other fish with a Pufferfish, you have at least a 50 gallon tank. The puffer fella likes to nip at fins. He is not supposed to be agressive and he is supposed to get along with other fish but you need a larger tank. You need a bit of vegatation there for the fish to hide and play in, whatever. Two mollies mating (movie on U-Tube) looks like the guy is trying to slam her, push her and shove her. Weird to see but it must work. Now maybe yours are fighting so watch the movie and then you'll know for sure. Looks like they were fighting to me too.
Anonymous - 2011-04-20
Hmm. I wasn't told that I would need a 50, but that could be the case. The little guy has been in the tank for about 3 hours now, and he is starting to warm up to it. He swims around a lot, and doesn't seem to bother other fish. He was almost completely grey when I added him, but now his head and some of his body is back to Green. I have a 10 gal that my Beta is currently residing in that I could move him to. I bought some live plants tonight as well, so within a few weeks I should have some more greenery. I currently only have plastic plants, good ole WalMart doesn't say anything about live plants being a necessity.
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
Yep, the information says if you just have the puffer, then a 20 gallon tank is fine but if you are adding (or have) other fish, you would need at least a 50 gallon. Puffer fish also need something to wear their teeth down so snails or some such other hard food. The 10 gallon tank is too small for the puffwer, definitely too small if there is another fish in it.
Did you find the move on Mollies on U-Tube? There is one on just gold fish also. Strange.
Yes, you need some plants. Have fun and enjoy. Remember all these fish are going to get bigger. The mollies will probably go 4 - 6 inches.
Anonymous - 2011-04-21
Yes. Well, I took Mr Puff to Petco and donated him. I decided that I didn't want to ruin his little life just because I jumped in without surveying the water first. I think once I am out of an apartment and have my bigger tanks I will go get another puffer and try again. Thanks for all your help!

Oh, random question. How many more fish can/ should I put in this 30 gallon? Currently I have 2 Mollies and 2 Platies. Thanks!
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-21
I am responding to the other email which tells me you took the puffer back. You are asking how many additional fish you can put in a 30 gallon tank with 2 mollies and 2 platies. If you think 1 inch per gallon (just as a rule of thumb) and subtract out for gravel, decorations etc a 30 gallon should leave you with about 27 gallons of swiming area. So the two mollies are 12 inches (as adults) and the two platies are 5 inches (as adults) which equals 17 inches. So you can add two other compatible fish whose adult size is not greater than 5 inches each. OK? Yeah probably best to take back the puffer. Good thinking on your part.
Dioafui - 2011-05-09
You're fine, but the male fish will chase the female to death. You should have at least three females per male, because of his desire to pro-create. I don't know about puffers, but you spelled betta wrong.
nic - 2011-08-05
Here's where you went wrong. NEVER buy fish from Walmart they are cruel to their fish. They all have an illness and are not healthy fish and Walmart does not have any idea how to care for fish. They just want to make money. I had gotten a mollie and it had 50 babies and think first about how big each baby gets. hope this helps.

p.s get live plants like water sprites
brookes - 2013-03-17
thats not true i bought mine from walmart and it was a little agrisssive at the first 4 days then it got calm it was just scared thats all. all i got to say is love your green spotted puffers. i mean who can't love that little pug face of there's...lol..!

About Animal-World

Animal-World offers animal pictures, videos, and animal information on all different types of pets and animals. Included are animals that are commonly kept as pets, exotic pets and wild animals. Check us out for information, education, and fun. We strive to aid in responsible pet ownership and an understanding of the importance of preserving and honoring our world and its inhabitants. Animal-World members and contributors are from all over the world. You too are invited to be an active participant in this community. Post your own personal pet stories, contribute pictures of your pets, and join the forums for pet and animal discussions.

Visit Animal-World

Animal Stories - People Talking About Aquarium Tropical Fish

About Animal-World