Tropical Fish Hobbyist

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QUESTION?
Send your questions concerning the
freshwater side of the aquarium hobby
to “Q&A.” We can’t promise to personally
acknowledge or answer every question, but each
month those inquiries covering topics of general
interest or unusual subjects will be answered in
this column. Address your questions to “Q&A,”
T.F.H. Publications, P.O. Box 427, Neptune, NJ
07754, or submit via e-mail to editor@tfh.com.

Q

Angelfish Red-Eye I have five angelfish in a 10-gallon tank, and I think I may have a problem. Two

of my fish have red eyes around the pupil. Is that healthy or unhealthy? Help me, please!

Josiah Colon via email

A

Red to orange iris coloration is normal in many angelfish varieties, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about

there. However, you do have a problem that has nothing to do with the color of your angelfish’s eyes: A 10-gallon tank is woefully undersized for five angelfish. I assume your specimens are quite small now, but you must be mindful of the fact that they have the potential to reach 6 inches in length. If your specimens are to survive and remain healthy, you will need to upsize their quarters very soon to a minimum of 50 gallons if you plan to keep all five. If your intention is ultimately to narrow down the group to a breeding pair, you could get by with 30 gallons.

Q

Plastic Bins for Quarantine?

I’m setting up my first freshwater aquarium, and with

the economy the way it is, I’m looking for creative ways to save on setup costs. Is there any reason I can’t use a large plastic storage bin as a quarantine tank rather than a glass aquarium?

Bill Whittaker via email

A

Well, there probably wouldn’t be any harm in using a plastic storage bin for your quarantine tank (assuming it won’t leach

any harmful chemicals into the water— consult with the manufacturer), but it wouldn’t be ideal. One of the primary reasons for quarantining new specimens is to observe them closely for symptoms of disease—white spots, sores, rotting or damaged fins, cloudy or bulging eyes, etc.—before releasing them into the display tank. Being opaque, a storage bin simply will not allow you to view the fish, except perhaps from above, so you would most likely overlook any worrisome symptoms. Even storage bins made from transparent plastic won’t provide a very good view compared to a glass or acrylic aquarium.

A quarantine tank does not have to be complex or costly—in many cases, a basic 10-gallon tank is more than adequate—but cutting corners to the extent that you can’t actually view the fish is not doing yourself any favors and will end up costing you considerably more in the long run if you end up with a display tank full of sick, dying fish.

Q

Snapping Severum Hi, I’m a long-time reader and hobbyist. I have a 55-gallon tank containing one firemouth

Thorichthys meeki, two Satanoperca daemon, and one redheaded severum Heros sp. “rotkeil.” They have been in the tank together for about a year and, despite the occasional chase, seem to get along fine. In recent weeks, I’ve been hearing a strange noise, like a series of snapping sounds under water. When I investigated further, it appeared that the severum was smacking