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New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 20:36 — Monaco87

Ok so the title pretty much says it all. I just bought 3 parrots about and inch and a half long and 2 other cichlids that I cant remember the name of now lol. They are blue with orange fins... Anyways, I have an Aquaclear filter and all 5 fish are fascinated by it and insist on hanging around it. Within 10 minutes of being in the tank I already had to unplug the filter for a second because one of the parrots was stuck to it. I am a new fish owner so what do I know, but Im gonna throw it out there and assume this is a very bad thing! I know I won't be around to rescue them everytime this happens! What can I do??

Comments

Sun, 04/18/2010 - 01:02 — Monaco87

**Update**

All 5 are still doing really well. I got a test kit today and the pH is 7.6. I read between 7 and 8.2 is healthy for them. Yes?

Sun, 04/18/2010 - 04:04 — Chrisplosion

Re: **Update**

Thats what mine is. The pH one isn't really important, it the ammonia one you would need first if you buy them separately.

Sun, 04/18/2010 - 03:26 — kickazzkatie

Re: **Update**

yeah, bps can take a higher ph than other fish. ur ok :)

Sat, 04/17/2010 - 03:23 — kickazzkatie

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

also african dont really get along with bps. when everyone gets a little older u might have alot of aggression issues :(

Sat, 04/17/2010 - 03:07 — Monaco87

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

All 5 fish are swimming around all perky and spunky so I dont think there is anything wrong with any of them. The parrots have even warmed up tp me already! They come to say hello when Im sitting by the tank. I think it may have just happened because they were new to the tank and stressed. They seem comfortable now. I will definitely be getting a kit though and test my levels tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok.

Sat, 04/17/2010 - 03:17 — Chrisplosion

Re: Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

Get the API Master Kit, it tests everything you need and is pretty accurate. Don't buy test strips. I think the smaller they are the faster they warm up to you. I have three 3 - 3.5 inch parrots and they were all skittish and still kind of are. But my smallest one was never shy, I got him at about 1.5 inches. Its kind of nice having 2 parrots, 1 oscar, and 4 firemouth greet you at the front of your tank in the morning.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 23:50 — Peanut

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

A fish should never be so weak that it gets stuck on a filter. It's not the filter. It's the fish. Something is making your fish very weak. What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels?

If your tank has not cycled, you need to do a 30% water change asap. Your fish is extremely weak and in distress.

If you can, get a test kit with test tubes. They are much more accurate.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 22:10 — Monaco87

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

Its a 70 or 75 gallon. The filter is an AquaClear 70. I will definitely get one of those kits. I really want to do this right!

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 21:43 — Monaco87

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

I have quite a few hiding spots for them. At least 9 that they have found so far. Lots of rocks, caves and logs so Im not sure what they find so exciting about the filter.
The girl at the pet store checked all my water levels and she said everything was safe for the fish now.
And yes the Ice Blues are African, they are quite pretty you should check them out :)
Thanks so much for the links I need all the reading material I can get lol. I hope they leave the filter alone soon, right now Im afraid to leave them.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 21:55 — Chrisplosion

Re: Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

What filter is it exactly and how big is you tank. They may be fine now but in a few days it will get high, but you can't do a water change or it will screw up the cycling. I recommend you buy the test kit when you have the money because it is more important than you might realize.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 21:03 — Chrisplosion

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

I take it those are African cichlids? I don't know about the filter... They are trying to hide because they are always shy when you first get them and it takes a month or two for them to warm up to you. Do you have any hiding spots because they like to hide sometimes when they get scared. If you had some hiding spots that should deter them away from the filter. I use coconut and cut them in half. You could also go buy some caves or use things like teapots. It not that big a deal.

But if you want to keep your fish alive you need to read this. When I started fish keeping I lost about $100 worth of fish because I didn't know at the time about Cycling.
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html
http://www.worldcichlids.com/faqs/cycling.html
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
Cichlids are pretty hardy but you need to be aware of your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates level. If you don't have one, you need to go purchase the API Master Test Kit. Its about $30 and can save your fishes lives.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 20:41 — Monaco87

Re: New Babies Getting Stuck on Filter

The name of the other 2 just came to me lol, they are Ice Blues