pregnant or dropsy
I have 5 tetras in my 5 G. tank.
I just bought 4 neon tetras to add to my 2 that I had.(one died) a week later I noticed one of them seems to be getting sort of large, in his/her abdominal area. How do I determine this is caused by eggs, or stages of dropsy? Do I have to wait till the symptoms get worse or should I treat now in prevention??
p.s. my nitrates are high per the pet store. they suggested I change water twice a week vs. once a week. I use a hose that sucks/cleans the gravel , and there is a filter on the tank. Is this okay to do, and are there any other suggestions? I have one live plant.
I havnt had the greatest of luck..
Answers:1)Tetra don't get pregnant. They lay eggs. A gravid tetra doesn't get that much larger.
2)Dropsy is lethal 99% of the time. It's the result of organ failure. At this point you should concentrate on the tank as a whole. Get your nitrites under control and hope for the best.
3)Your tank is over stocked. Fish like tetras should be kept one inch of fish per gallon. Also buy your fish 1 per 10 gallon per week. Other wise the bacteria which break down ammonia into nitrites, and nitrites into nitrate can reproduce quickilt enough to do their job.
4)Add a very small amount of table salt to the tank. Maybe 1/-1/2 a teaspoon. Don't add any more as characins (tetras) n'tvery salt tolerant. Be sure to disolve it in a cup of tank water 1st. This may help with the nitrite poisoning.