White Cloud Mountain Minnows

[andypeet]

hello, small tank with white cloud mountain minnows, several of which have swollen bellies, could they be pregnant? grateful for advice, thanks, regards AP

 

[phoenixgsd]

could be one of a few things, have you got a picture,

 

[andypeet]

hello phoenixgsd, thanks; new to forum-how do i attach a picture? regards AP

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Use a photo sharing website like flickr or photobucket.

 

[fluttermoth]

You need to upload your pic to a hosting site, like Photobucket or Flickr, and then use the 'IMG' code in your post.

How big is your tank, how many fish do you have and how long has it been set up? Is it 'cycled' and have you tested the water at all? How often and how big are your water changes?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more info we have, the better we can help you and your fishies

Welcome to the forum, btw!

 

[andypeet]

hello & thanks for interest-I'll check out Flickr & give it a go (pity i cant just attach one to a post?) its a small (30L) tank with 12 mountain minnows (some are an orangey colour), a kuhli loach & 4 cold-water prawns, its cold water, 2 years+ with fish added intermittently, not tested water (how & what to test for?) but partial replacement every 2/12 with aquarium salt & tap water conditioner, the fish 'look happy enough' & have a good appetite, fed twice daily on flake food & krill/bloodworm/tubifex, i'm not a serious fish tank person (meant most respectfully) but the family loves the tank in the kitchen, & i want to ensure the fish's welfare, thanks again, regards AP

 

[mike455555]

why are you adding salt? , and kuhli loaches are tropical i think, also that tank is way over stocked]

you test for nitrites and ammonia

 

[phoenixgsd]

oh dear, as already said you really need to rethink your tank, kuhlis are tropical and are very social they need groups of 6 + and i beleive they are scaleless fish and cannot tolerate salt, (someone please correct if im wrong)

 

[fluttermoth]

Hmmm....ok....

I do understand that you're not a serious fishkeeper, as we all are, but you do need to sort out your tank. The fish are relying on you to keep their environment healthy for them; they can't just up and leave like a cat!

First of all do some much larger water changes. Start off by doing 50% every day for the next week. Although your white clouds might well be 'gravid' (carrying eggs; they don't get pregnant as such), as they're a very easily bred fish, swollen belies can also be caused by a condition called 'dropsy' which is, ultimately, due to poor water quality.

A 30l tank could only properly support six or seven white clouds (although a lot of people would say they need a tank at least two feet in length as, even though they're small, they're very active swimmers), plus the shrimps, so long term you're going to have to either rehome some fish, or upgrade your tank to something bigger.

A two foot/60l would be just about acceptable, if you kept up your regular, weekly, water changes.

 

[andypeet]

thanks to all of you, & apologies for being so nieve (i was guided by the pet store) i will immediately change 50% of the water (with tap conditioner) & follow your instructions accordingly, pity about the kuhli-its grown well over the last year, & has incredible (albeit mischievous) character! I'll try & find a home for it, i will also consider a bigger tank & get a nitrites/ammonia testing kit, regrads & thanks again AP

PS-can anyone recommend a nitrite/ammonia testing kit? thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

Most of us use the API ones, but Nutrafin and Salifert are also well respected.

Just don't be fobbed off with the paper strip type; they can be very inaccurate.

Oh, and don't bother with the salt any more; your fish don't need it and would be better off without