My Gouramis

Question
QUESTION: hey i have 4 gouramis ( 2 gold and 2 blue) and just today i found both my mollies (2- 1 black and one dalmation) dead on the bottom of the tank?? I hadn't noticed and aggressive behaviour from the gouramis. Please help.

ANSWER: Hi Katrina,
I would be careful. Sometimes fish can be aggressive only when you aren't around. It could have been the gouramis. Or it could have been the mollies died from old age or water quality. Oftentimes mollies are the first to show signs of stress when the water quality may be declining. So just as a precaution, check the water quality and do a water change just in case. Always make sure your ammonia and nitrites are both ZERO and nitrates are 20 or less.

I'm sorry about the mollies. That happens...Sometimes fish die for now apparent reason. :(

Best wishes,
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help. How do you check ammonia and nitrtate levels? one molly survived i have put it into another tank until i know that the water is perfect.

ANSWER: Hi Katrina,
Sorry I should have explained that earlier.

You can easily test your ammonia and nitrite levels with a test kits. You can find simple test kits from your local petstore. You can also bring a water sample to your petstore but of course its best if you have your own that way you can test your water at any time.

There are two different types of test kits you will find. There are test kits consisting of paper strips...Then there are liquid test kits using drops in glass vials.
Liquid Test kits are more accurate than strips. But strip tests will do as well.

Best wishes and I hope you don't lose anymore fish,
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So Ph and ammonia and nitrate are different? Because i have a ph testing kit with the drops and the results are always perfect.

Answer
Yes, in fact those three levels are completely different from each-other.

*pH is the measurement of how acidic or alkaline your water is. But you don't have to worry too much about pH. It's not as important as ammonia and nitrite.
*Ammonia is produced by the fish and any decaying food, its very toxic to them even in small amounts. There are good bacteria that colonize in your tank's gravel and filter and all other surfaces and they convert ammonia into nitrite.
*Nitrite is still toxic, but not as much as ammonia. Later, more bacteria convert the nitrite into nitrate.
*Nitrate is the end product of the bacteria's work. Nitrate is not toxic and can build up in your aquarium. You still want to keep it under control at a moderate level however. This is easily done with your regular maintenance water changes.

Newly setup aquariums go through what's called "cycling" I'm not sure if you are aware of that or not but its well worth mentioning. Cycling is when your tank is establishing the bacteria. This takes time--about 4-6 weeks. Until then your tank may go through many spikes in ammonia as the bacteria are trying to establish and its very important to monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels throughout and make those vital 50-% water changes whenever the levels get above safe bounds. This won't hurt the cycling process.

So keep in mind if your tank is recently setup this could be your problem with the fish loss.

I really hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Karen~