[aqua001]

I realized in my ten gal tank that there were these weird green things coming from the rocks. It comes of easily and when I tried to take it out of the water, it flaked off! I am sure this is not their food. BTW, my betta seems stressed out because of this and 2 tetras died. at first, I thought it was alge and told myself to get a scraper. as it flaked off though, I got worried. Can someone please help me? Thanks!

 

[wystearya]

You mean a green film? Like algae?

A clear picture might help.

 

[aqua001]

It's hard to explain. It seems to also attack the walls, but I didn't know algae flaked off sooooo easily.

 

[aqua001]

BTW, that was before. Here is when to started to happen, but is still minor. Can you see it? It is on the grey rock up front.

 

[aqua001]

Anybody? I'm sorta worried.

 

[NoahG]

My guess is that it's blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Does it actually flake off (like hardwater mineral deposits might)? Or does it more peel off?

 

[aqua001]

It flaked right off. Does this algae thing stress the fish out? If so, is their anything on amazon I can get to somehow help the matters?

 

[NoahG]

Hmm, the cyanobacteria that tried to take over Ezra's tank peeled off...it formed a sort of...algae skin, weird as that sounds. It also didn't stress him out at all (though I think he did find it kind of annoying, as did I).

The best I can think is to take out the log that it's affecting and scrub it real well perhaps? If you could pick up an algae magnet that could possibly take care of the walls of the tank: they work amazingly well, and the vast majority stays on the scrubber pad of the magnet (you could probably gravel vac the rest out).

Hopefully someone else can either confirm or suggest what else it could be: the flaking part is what has me uncertain...

 

[aqua001]

Something is still bothering Aqua, though. Is it his bully-like tank mates? Also he is clamping ALOT. I mean, he will still spread them out but they stay clamped lots of the day.

 

[NoahG]

It's possible it's his tankmates, especially if they're bullying him. Does he act lethargic or otherwise seem not entirely well? Or even sick?

The cover in the tank is kind of sparse -- if he doesn't seem to actually be sick you could try adding more plants in there, especially taller ones. Both Aqua and your tetras will like more cover.

 

[thekoimaiden]

You say two tetra died? This is probably causing stress on the tetra who are in turn taking it out on the betta. Tetra are schooling fish and need large groups. Six is the bare minimum that should be together. Getting more will help. Adding more cover will certainly help, too. Your tank does look a little sparse. Floating plants (fake or real) will offer both the betta and the tetra some good cover and will go a long way to make them both feel better.

EDIT: I also forgot to mention that decreasing light will do a lot to reduce the algae in a tank. The light shouldn't be on more than 10 hours a day and should always be off at night. Fish need a day/night cycle just like we do.

 

[aqua001]

The 2 bullys bullied everyone. My mom said it was mold? Also,I am still searching for duckweed. Aqua is rather lethargic and I'm not sure but could have parasites. IDK because the the poop is stringier than usual but is not white.

 

[thekoimaiden]

The bully tetras are acting that way because they are stressed out due to a lack of school mates not the algae. When fish are stressed out they will either lash out at other fish or completely withdraw and waste away. You may have parasites on your hand with stringy poop, but you've also got the problem of the tetra school to deal with. For now, the best thing to do would be separate the tetra from the betta using a divider. Or put the betta back in his first home (not the cup but a smaller tank). Without the stress of the tetra, your betta will start to get better (ie his immune system will be able to fight back if any infection is attacking him).

 

[Olympia]

I agree with thekoimaiden...
Right now your best bet is 2-3 more tetra, and HEAVY cover for everyone.

Tetra are naturally bullies- to each other. They constantly bicker to establish who is boss... With a too small school, your bossy tetra are also trying to be in charge of the betta.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[aqua001]

Alright, so:
1. bigger tank for the tetras with more tetras.
2. Get parasite meds for whoever has parasites.

 

[ZergyMonster]

you don't need a bigger tank for you tetras you just need more of them, like KoiMaiden said at least 6. If you can't do that you should put your betta in a temporary small tank (1Gallon minimum). Once you do that you betta will start getting better and if he doesn't, be sure to look into the betta diseases and emergencies forum to see what is wrong with him.

 

[Kim]

The tank setup looks pretty new, has it cycled yet? Also, what are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)?

 

[aqua001]

I've had it for about 3 months. I did a fish less cycle. last time I checked the parameters, nitrite and nitrate were both 0 ppm. My test kit does not test ammonia. From amazon, I got stress coat and aq salt. Will this help the matters at all? Do you think I should put in my old divider, put the tetras on 1 side and aqua on the other? Or is 5 gal too small for 6 tetras?

 

[Olympia]

I wouldn't bother dividing them. 5 gallons isn't a lot of space for those tetra.

 

[aqua001]

Okay. Do you think the aggressiveness will calm down after I add a suitable number in? I will probably get 3 more tomorrow.