Liz wrote:
Steve,

Thanks for taking a look - I tried to design the tank so it would look
nice to me and be a good home for the fishies... I think I'll reduce
the lighting in the tank (or keep it off if there's no easy way to
reduce it) and observe for a few days to see how the fish behave, then
decide what to do long term.

I also appreciate your advice about the water changes and cycling...
Unfortunately, my research wasn't enough in the beginning, and I lost 3
of 6 neons (I think because I put them in too soon - I thought the tank
was cycled, (via 3 rasboras and a starter bacteria product (both
recommended by the LFS) - had no ammonia, trace nitrite** and little
nitrate). ** The page (came with the test kit, I think) for recording
readings indicated 0 to .25 was acceptable for nitrite - my research
since indicates it's just 0, so that's what I'm working on now.

Anywho, I think the 6 neons overloaded the bio filter (which was strong
enough for 3 rasboras, but not more) and that's how I lost the three.
I'm keeping a close eye on the readings (testing daily) and doing water
changes if the ammonia gets to 1. (I feel kinda bad for putting the
fishies through a trial by fire due to my ignorance, but I'm learning.)

The rasboras are little troopers and have been doing well since they
were added, the three remaining neons seem well too as far as I can
tell - hopefully I'll be able to take proper care of them while the
tank finishes cycling.

Which brings up another question - does a fish's mouth open and close
when they breath or is that strictly eating or...? I've noticed
sometimes that the fishes will be opening and closing their mouths, but
there's no food in the water that I can see, and it's been long enough
since I fed them that I don't think there's really anything there to
eat... Could this be a symptom of a problem or is it normal or....?

Thanks,

Liz


My rainbowfishes' mouths open and close in a barely noticeable manner,
and my goldfishes' mouths open and close very noticeably. I'm not sure
whether the goldfish are breathing, or gulping in tiny food from the
water surface or the bottom. They're likely doing both. I looked this
up in a book (Aquariology master volume by J.B. Gratzek 1992, Tetra
Press, ISBN 1-56465-105-3). On page 176 under "The Respiratory Pump",
the book says "the water flows in through the open mouth... By timing
this with the closing of the mouth... water is pumped over the gill..."

I'm sorry about your early fish losses due to inadequate cycle. I've had
similar problems in the past, especially before learning about
bacteriological filtration and aquarium cycling.

In any case, please keep enjoying the hobby!

Steve