A Few Beginner Questions

[nraposa]

I just started my Aquarium 10 gal. Went through the water cycle started with 2 swords and 1 white tetra for first 5 weeks. I am now up to 9 fish 2 cats 3 swords 1 tetra 2 painted glass fish and 1 i'm not sure what the name is. Just found this web site a few days ago and love all the info i'm getting off it two questions though.

1. I read you should only get 1 fish per gallon of water so i'm just about there
but i was wondering if there was anyway this rule could safely be broken I
wanted to get 2 more white tetra's to go with the one I have.

2. I Just read about the painted glass fish and how they are prone to disease. I thought they were natural when i purchased. What are some of your experiences with these fish do they really die within a couple of month's and are my other fish at risk of disease. I'm really growing fond of my fish and don't want to lose any of them any info would be great.

[Fishguy2727]

There are no stocking rules. It has a lot to do with fish size too. The swords will get big. The only way to break that guide is with a lot of filtration (so get the biggest Marineland Penguin that only has one side, or get something like the Whisper 40) and big frequent water changes. For big water changes though, you need to be familiar with your tap water, its pH, and how it changes overtime, as well as your tank's chemistry. I wouldn't push the stocking for now. Maybe instead of adding more fish you can start saving for a second tank. It seems like you enjoy it enough for a bigger one. That way all of the schoolers can get a proper school of 6 or more. This includes all tetras and cories.

[kimmers318]

My daughters bought a glofish and 2 "fruity" tetras (dyed white skirts) before I knew what was going on. The lfs was pretty slick as they only had light colored ones which actually looked natural on the fruity tetras...the more intensely colored painted ones it is pretty obvious they aren't naturally that color. Anyway....the glofish only made about 8 months before getting a crippled skinny look to him and I put him out of his misery, his body was starting to bend in places like arthritic fingers. The white skirts have been around about 11 months now and still going strong.
But, regardless of how long they might live due to being dyed, painted or tattooed (yes, they are doing that too!)...have you done any research on HOW they achieve the coloration? All of the procedures involve horrific treatment to the fish which is sad to read about. Look it up and it will steer you away from purchasing anymore. Good luck.

[jeffs99dime]

i thought that glofish weren't dyed. i thought they were genetically mutated?

[nraposa]

I Read about it after the fact it's horrible and i would not have supported the practice if i knew about it before. I will no longer be purchasing these fish. but I do have 2 right know should i remove them from the tank in case the others get sick. I've had them for 3 weeks know They are both active healthy looking fish and i have grown fond of them even more since I know what they have been through and would like to see them survive healthy for a long long time. Do you think shopkeepers should be forced to tell you when you are purchasing an animal that is altered. I asked questions before i purchased I just thought they were an exotic fish.

[Cichlid_Man]

Here in Virginia, at least where I live, the pet shops are no longer allowed to sell the painted fish.

That's in Charlottesville and Scottsville Virginia at least.

I think it is a good thing that they discontinue that stuff.

Good luck with your tank!

[Fishguy2727]

I'n Northern Virginia and it is not illegal statewide.

Glofish are genetically modified. They took a strand of coral DNA and put it in the genome of zebra danios. No horrible chemicals or even stress to the fish (just tons of cool neon colored fish).