Question:i use purified water to refill my tank every 3-4 days
there about an inch to an inch &1/2
i started with 18 fish,i now have 12
10 gallon tank
blue catfish (fresh water)
1,20 gallon filter
a few large stones
1 hiding dome
2 plastic plants
shrimp pelets for food but i have to break the food down smaller before i feed them
Answers:
Two possibilities come to mind:
1 - Did you cycle you tank first?
2 - The use of purified water might be missing some elements that your blues need. Purified can mean many different things. What kind of purified. You might want to just start adding some treated tap water (slowly as to not shock with the change) and see if it helps.
If you did not first properly cycle your tank, you will have an ammonia spike followed by a nitrite spike, both of which are deadly to fish. Here is a link with more information on cycling your tank:
http://www.fishlore.com/nitrogencycle.ht...
Addition: Sorry forgot to include feeding that you asked for - Shrimp pellets are perfect. You're doing right breaking them up. If you are worried, you can get some frozen blood worm but it's not necessary.
Habitat - Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms. Their preferred water temperature is 77 to 82 degrees.
Spawning Habits - Spawning and nesting behavior is similar to others of its family. In late spring, males commonly choose and clear a nest site, usually in drift piles, logs, root systems or other dark, secluded areas near the bank. The eggs hatch in about a week, and males guard the fry in the nest until they swim away a week or so later.
Feeding Habits - Young blues eat aquatic insects and small fish while larger blues prefer crayfish, mussels and other fish. They feed primarily at night.
Age and Growth - Blue catfish grow faster and live longer than channel catfish. They are the largest member of the catfish family. Blues may grow to lengths of over 55 inches and may weigh more than 100 pounds. Maximum life span for blues is unknown but is probably 20-25 years.
it sounds like you have too many fish in one aquarium. the water is getting dirty fast. plus you shouldnt be changing water every 3-4 days. if you change water that much fish can not be happy and established. please list what type of fish you have.
You have little too much fish and...
Did you check the water temperature to see if its 72 to 80degrees Fahrenheit?
Check the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?
Hope this helps
WT
I think you just need a bigger tank. If you some of the catfish biting each other, then you can get a divider.
Hope this helps!
To feed fry try taking a bottle of dechlorinated water set it in a window untill its green 3-4 days dump in tank they will get all the nutrients they need from this you should only clean 25% once week tops every other week works for me catfish shouldnt be kept in a 10 gallon tank try corycats and som javamoss they will live much longger and happier
Hi, my answer would be to get a bigger tank, you don't have to clean it as often and it would supply more room for your fish. follow your directions on the filtering system and you should see an improvement. Also make sure that you are not over feeding them, this pollutes the water even faster. Most pet stores have water testing kits pick one up and test your water also.
At home i have a fish pond outside,its about 4f X 10 feet, shape of a number 8. In my pond i have 4 blue catfish. They have lived in the pond for 2 year, and the water condition is dirty, no heater,... I feed them with koi pellets. The catfish is very easy to take care of, they eat junk at the bottom of pond.
if your catfish died, it must be the water treatment. Dont change water too much, make sure u put treatment in the water. It has nothing to do with dirty water. My pond water is very murky, with lots of waterlily. PROPER WATER TREATMENT IS THE KEY AND DONT CHANGE WATER TOO OFTEN.
by the way, when i bought the catfish, they were small 3 inches and now it;s the biggest fish in the pond 12 inches, fat and healthy.
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