Help!!!

[samaelmoretti]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the hobby and I'm not sure if this is an emergency but I keep finding these black spots on my water lettuce (I disinfected these plants yesterday, used bleach dip for 2 mins). Please see the attached photos. Idk if this is some kind of parasite that is harmful to the fish but I am pretty sure that this thing is IN MY tank tank too. Recently, my betta was sick with white spots and did her methylene blue bath treatment for 2 weeks in a different container. She's better now and the white spots are gone. She's back in the main tank with 2 neon tetras (im planning to add more tetras after I cycle since I just also recently learned that 6 is the minimum). I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but I've been having a hard time starting this new hobby for the last few weeks. With the cycling process going on (almost my 3rd week) to my betta getting sick. Recently, I also just learned that there's a need to disinfect plants when adding to the tank n did exactly that with my water lettuce but failed to do so with my first plant which is the water sprite. I'm getting pretty discouraged to continue because it's been overwhelming and quite honestly, an expensive hobby too. Sorry I've been rambling.

I just need all the help I can get

 

[vanalisa]

Hello!
I'm sorry you are discouraged; it happens some times. It sounds like you successfully treated your betta. That's wonderful.
I'm not up on everything in regard to what is going on in you tank and on you plants. Are the dots moving? Maybe it's just fish poop?
I hope so! Someone will be along to help you figure it out, I just wanted to give you some encouragement ♡

 

[itiwhetu]

This is a very simple hobby Fish, plants, water!!. Sorry I didn't reply sometimes there is stuff you just don't know about

 

[itiwhetu]

and research!!!

 

[samaelmoretti]

Hello!
I'm sorry you are discouraged; it happens some times. It sounds like you successfully treated your betta. That's wonderful.
I'm not up on everything in regard to what is going on in you tank and on you plants. Are the dots moving? Maybe it's just fish poop?
I hope so! Someone will be along to help you figure it out, I just wanted to give you some encouragement ♡

Hi there!

The black spots aren't moving, but can be removed. Thank you for this! I really appreciate it

Also, congratulations on having the "Tank of the Month" title!

 

[samaelmoretti]

and research!!!

I agree with this! I've been constantly researching about these things for the last few weeks. I guess I also had lots of assumptions regarding the hobby and second-guessing everything I do haha!

 

[itiwhetu]

I agree with this! I've been constantly researching about these things for the last few weeks. I guess I also had lots of assumptions regarding the hobby and second-guessing everything I do haha!

research, this is the hard bit never believe anything, come up with your own solutions through experience

 

[AilyNC]

I wouldn't sorry about the black spots in they're not moving creatures. Probably just algae or dirt. It can be a bit overwhelming at first and a seriously steep learning curve. But it does settle too and is then very rewarding

 

[samaelmoretti]

Hello again! I just learned that the black spots are aphids (tho im still not 100% sure). They keep on coming back, finding them on top or beneath the lettuce leaves. They don't seem to be actively moving tho. Will try and get rid of them using the methods I find online.

 

[samaelmoretti]

I wouldn't sorry about the black spots in they're not moving creatures. Probably just algae or dirt. It can be a bit overwhelming at first and a seriously steep learning curve. But it does settle too and is then very rewarding

I am really looking forward to the day when everything settles

 

[Ch4rlie]

Am unsure on any treatments that will kill aphids but not affect your tank.

I would simply get rid of any of the water lettuce that has aphds on them, as i think they will be under the leaves as well.

Water lettuce grows pretty fast so getting rid of a few won't do too much harm and they will cover the water surface once more with hopefully zero aphids.

Think worth a try.

And yes, for newcomers to this hobby, there is surprsingly quite a bit to learn and mistakes will be made, as someone already said, there is a learning curve but once you have the basics you can only get better

 

[vanalisa]

Hi there!

The black spots aren't moving, but can be removed. Thank you for this! I really appreciate it

Also, congratulations on having the "Tank of the Month" title!

You're welcome !
I think you're a great aquarist already!
You should think about entering up coming contests, I think there is a betta one soon
(Thanks for mentioning my tank, I hope you will look over the thread about past contests so you can see other members' winning entries).