Fishes don't swim right

discus18 · #1 06/15/2004, 08:57 AM

Hello all, I have my 20 gallons tank setup for over 2 months now. The only problem I have is that I noticed my fishes don't swim well. They are not so active and always hide under rocks. Is there any common reason to cause this problem? However, they have good appetite thou. When ever I try to raise the PH level, they look even like a "statue" to me (not swimming) Please help!

here's some of my tank info

PH: 7.8 (drop quickly even if i apply those PH buffer)
TWO cansister filters and UGF setup
9V UV

Thanks!

dvlhzdu · #2 06/15/2004, 09:22 AM

What type of fish are we talking about?

discus18 · #3 06/15/2004, 09:42 AM

maily angels, my other clown and demsels are fine.

dbulick · #4 06/15/2004, 09:46 AM

Well, I think the problem is you have angel(s) in that small tank.

ihatter · #5 06/15/2004, 11:17 AM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! ANGEL POLICE ANGEL POLICE!!!!!

PUT THE ANGELS DOWN AND NOBODY GETS HURT!!!

ARE YOUR CRAZ?Y!!!! THAT BETTER BE A DWARF ANGEL YOUR TALKING ABOUT!

Bowtank · #6 06/15/2004, 01:18 PM

lol, calm down calm down(in Liverpudlian accent),

discus18

I'm presuming those are dwarfs you mention, well a single pygmy is ok'ish in that size tank, angels are aggressive to each other, which is why your getting these problems, angels of all kinds are territorial too,so just understand what they're feeling inside your tank, imagine putting two cockhens together, theres a reason why they don't co-exist.

dvlhzdu · #7 06/15/2004, 02:01 PM

what is the SG of the tank? I think I have heard this one before?

redpaulhus · #8 06/16/2004, 09:37 AM

Thats also a really young tank... what are your actual parameters besides the low pH ?
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc ?

It may not be stable enough for your fish load...
and

Quote:

maily angels, my other clown and demsels are fine.

worries me - a two month old 20g tank might be ok for a pair of damsels... or maybe a pair of small damsels and a single clown... but damsels, a clown, and angels ???

I'd personally be leary of putting two dwarf angels in a 20g tank even if it had been running for a year (with no other fishes)...

tdtiger · #9 06/17/2004, 11:34 PM

May be hiding due to stress. Try using aragonite sand to help maintain the pH. I read aragonite keeps pH stable at around 8.2. Double check the salinity with another hydrometer or better, a refractometer. Keep it around 1.021 to 1.023 for FOWLR.

Thats too many fishes in one 20 gallon tank. For small sized fish I believe it is recommended a minimum of 5 gallons for 1" of fish.

clown2be · #10 06/17/2004, 11:39 PM

Discuss is talking Fresh water. That's why we don't understand. SG. What? FW Angels don't move very much. I have seen many at the LFS and alway wonder if they are feeling well.

dvlhzdu · #11 06/18/2004, 09:38 AM

Specific gravity of the water is what I was asking about.

jwm2k3 · #12 06/18/2004, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clown2be
Discuss is talking Fresh water. That's why we don't understand. SG. What? FW Angels don't move very much. I have seen many at the LFS and alway wonder if they are feeling well.

I dont think hes talking freshwater, he mentioned clowns and damsels.....

clown2be · #13 06/18/2004, 12:27 PM

That right. OOPS

dvlhzdu · #14 06/21/2004, 01:57 PM

ever wonder if the fish are still alive?

jwm2k3 · #15 06/21/2004, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dvlhzdu
ever wonder if the fish are still alive?

I dont have to wonder....

By the way, nice Spotted Eagle Ray in your avitar!

John

dvlhzdu · #16 06/22/2004, 07:19 AM

Yea kind of depressing when someone asks for help then just drops the thread. As for the Avatar it was a great day but a bad photo. There were 4 swimming in formation.

lacie143 · #17 06/24/2004, 01:07 AM

some people should just have their tanks taken away