Red wag platy

Red wag platy- 2.5", freshwater fish, live bearers.

Fig: 6.1

24th Feb: We introduced 3 of these in the tank (2 females, 1 male). They usually recommend 1:2 ratio. Look at the fin to differentiate between male and female. The male has its fin pointed, where as in the female it fans out. Water test indicated high level of nitrite. Adding aquarium salt (non iodized) prevents nitrite poisoning, reduces stress levels and could also treat certain diseases.

• 10% water change, replaced water in the tank and added aquarium salt.
• Placed red wag platy in the tank.
• Next day: one of them started itching itself against gravel and other decor items in the tank. It seemed as if it was suffering from Ick or Itch. A day later, another platy showed the same symptom.

We did 25% water change, added aquarium salt, removed carbon from the filter and put one ick tablet. It turned the water greenish blue for a while. I hope they all survive.

Adding another pair

Fig: 5.1

We added another pair of Tetra within the first few days. Since they are schooling fish, it is usually recommended in groups of five or six. The dynamics of the whole tank changed! They got along well with each other, there was less fin nipping. It seemed as if they were doing well.

A month later, we wanted to introduce another variety of fish - Platy.

We bought five (Sunburst wag Platy) and added it to our tank. They were amazing. Beautiful, colored.

Introducing new fish-

• Turn off the lights, Float the bag for about 15mins.
• Let the temperature of the  water in the bag and the tank equalize. 
• Using a net, transfer them into the tank, one by one. The new ones will try to look for hiding place as soon as they get in. The tetras were busy fin nipping. By next day morning we found most of the new ones had their dorsal fin nipped :(
• Three days later, we lost one platy and one tetra. 

The ammonia and nitrite levels increase. Fish undergoes stress, adjusting in its new home. At times bullied by the fish occupying the tank prior to its arrival. As a beginner we are so excited to add new fish, that we do not take into account the size of our tank. If you do the math right, 5 Tetras and 5 Platys would need a tank size 22.5 Gallon. A thumb rule, (size of the full grown fish) X (number of fish). 

Tetras usually grow up to 2" and Platys up to 2.5". 

We returned the platys and added one more tetra and left it at 5 tetras in the 15 Gallon tank. 

First meal for our friends

Fig: 4.1 Fish food

9pm: I introduced the first few flakes and sat patiently in front of the tank waiting for them to go fetch the food. But they didn't care. Minutes later, due to the flow of water, the flakes reached the bottom of the tank. They tried to nibble some, but as soon as the food touched the gravel, no one touched it! We had to go clean the food particles during our biweekly clean ups.
This continued for a week and I tried feeding them with the tank lights turned off. This time it worked wonders! They all came up to get some food and would make several trip up and down.
We were recommended to add blood worms too at times to treat the fish. They really enjoy freeze dried blood worms, a change from their usual diet - flakes!

Cleaning 10% and its after effects

Yes, just the way you clean your home, the fish tank needs cleaning ... removal of food decay and daily wastes. We bought small gravel vacuum, by Topfin. It is easy to us. The first time we did it, it was interesting to see the changes in the fish tank after cleaning. Here are a few steps:

• Turned off the filter and heater and of course the light! 
• Introduced the cleaning pipe, which works mainly using the principle of siphonage. 
• Placed a large container and emptied about 10%-15% of the water. Food particles were scattered all over the place. Removed a terracotta ornament that we had placed in there, and thought the Tetras wont miss it! 

Oh boy! As soon as we were done with the cleaning, tetras were breathing hard, and swimming frantically. They were hitting the glass surface and the place where we had the terracotta piece, they collectively stood there starring at us from inside!