Sera Saltwater Test Kits & Water Care | Petco

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Health & Wellbeing
My fish is acting sick. He is not really eating and he keeps going to the surface to breathe . He is also getting these little what looks like panic attacks and swims very fast and even hits his head constantly on the edges of his tank. I started to
Check water chemistry first. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence ( 0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes, no more than 30% at a time, to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Check water temp as well. Any of these can drive a fish to the surface. The "flashing" (darting about) can be due to infection (bacterial, fungal or parasites). Consider a broad spectrum antibiotic or an "all in one" product to treat multiple infections. Look in the Aquarium section of the local Petco for options. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
To make brackish water, you add aquarium salt to tap. Do I de-chlorinate the tap beforehand? I'm just confused on how to make it.
Do not use plain aquarium salt or table salt. To make brackish water, you need marine salt. You will also need a hydrometer to measure specific gravity. A hydrometer can be found in the aquarium section of most pet stores They cost $15 or less. Depending on the species of fish you have, brackish water will need a SG between 1.005 and 1.010. One tablespoon of marine salt per gallon of water will create brackish water at the lower end of the SG range. Yes, you will need a conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine before you add the marine salt.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Concerned about what possible skin diseases?? Some of my fish possibly may have. Is it a possibility that some just algae on them. I recently treated the tank with copper sulfate because I believed that fish may have velvet.. however two days later;
Thanks for reaching out. Have you tested water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Correct problems. Don't see any signs of external lesion on the pictures, except fine erosion, and possible gravid fish. A veterinary visit is probably needed to trouble shoot for disease. Randomly adding chemicals to the water could have detrimental effects. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an angelfish and a red tail shark in a 15 gallon tank for about 4 days and they get along great. The angel fish has been almost swimming kind of lazy like almost floating and then will swim when off balance. And belly kinda looks swollen as we
Check the water chemistry and temperature. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample to test fro elevated ammonia or nitrite levels. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and improve or maintain water quality. Ideally, you want 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less in a non-planted tank or 40 ppm or less in a planted tank. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You'll need to keep the temp at the upper limits for Red Tails in order to keep the Angelfish comfortable. That would be in the 78F to 80 F range. Both have similar pH requirements, 6.8 to 7.5. You can fast the Angel for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked, shelled green peas. This will usually resolve constipation and bloating. Pristine water quality may resolve the patch on your shark. Recommending a medication without more information or a clear image would be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My rainbow albino shark is slow to grab the food...now it is a little bit inactive...is this a sign where in it is under nurish...?thank you for the reply already...bless you guys...
Unfortunately this is a very generic sign and a radical approach must be followed in these cases to find the problem. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for that. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your Fishy should examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025