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Related Articles & Questions
- Home & Habitat
Blackwater Aquarium: Setup, Fish & Care Guide
Search Petco to learn about blackwater fish aquariums. We want to help you decide what lifestyle is best for your unique fish.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
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Advanced Boxfish & Cowfish Care: Ultimate Tank Setup, Food, & Safety
Learn how to care for Boxfish & Cowfish, recommended diet and aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
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GloFish Care Guide: Tank, Food, & Compatibility for Thriving Fish
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Freshwater Angelfish Care: Tank, Food, & Happy, Healthy Fish
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Freshwater Aquarium Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
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Updated on October 23rd, 2025
- Vet Q & A
How to treat koi fish with flashing, torn fins, and inactivity?
Consider a broad spectrum treatment such as General Cure by API or Parasite Clear by Jungle Labs. Follow label directions. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used concurrently to aid in healing and to treat minor infection and fin rot. Dissolve up to one tablespoon per gallon of water into a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Test water chemistry using a home test kit or submitting a water sample. Most pet or fish stores will do this for free or for a nominal fee. Correct any imbalances using aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Use a conditioner such as StressCoat as well. Confirm adequate filtration to maintain water quality.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
Why is my fish's tail disappearing and tank getting brown algae?
It is likely fin rot which is caused by bacterial overgrowth. It may respond to treatment with simple aquarium salt. Place Alpha in a smaller tank, half gallon to one gallon, for easier treatment. Use 1-1.5 teaspoons per gallon. Perform a 100% water change each day and using a fresh water/salt solution. Do this for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. Strive for a water temp between 76 F and 78 F. This will inhibit bacterial growth. Turn off any tank light to further inhibit bacterial growth. Turn off the filter as the current may slow fin regrowth and the filter media may remove enough salt to affect treatment. This treatment should clear most cases of fin rot.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
How to clean hard water stains in a fish tank without harming fish?
If you are getting hard water deposits, use a utility razor and gently scrape the deposit off the glass. When you're doing a water change, if the water level drops below the deposits, use a cloth dampened with plain vinegar and scrub. Be careful to not allow any vinegar into the water. Wipe it well with a clean cloth to remove any vinegar residue and refill. Ideally, the tank should be emptied, sprayed with vinegar, sit for 10-20 minutes then scrubbed or scraped.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
My fish have growths, tattered fins, and are flashing. What's wrong?
Thanks for reaching out about your aquarium and including photos. Did you test your water quality prior to the water change? Continue to test for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Pristine water quality is needed for health. Are any of the fish new, that could have introduced parasites? Itching/flashing can be due to water quality, external parasites, bacterial or viral infections and other causes. The white lesions on the photo could be fungal infections. A skin scrape and examination under the microscope (at a veterinarian's office) is needed for an attempt to determine a cause. Fungal infections are often secondary problems, so check water quality first. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
My fish tank has algae. Is it safe to clean the water and filter?
Yes, you can rinse filter media (the sponge) using tank water. This will preserve beneficial bacterial populations in the sponge. The plastic filter parts can be rinsed and scrubbed using tap water. Perform a partial water change, no more than 30% total volume, using conditioned water that is temperature matched. To limit algae overgrowth, do not overfeed, limit lighting to 8-10 hours daily and monitor water temp. If possible, turn up filter flow to get the water moving. Algae thrives in slow moving water. Do this only if your fish are not affected by stronger currents.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
