Curled tails.

[peaches0928]

I have a question. I have 2 axies and their tails are curling and bright red. Its a new tank ifni cycle the water out won't I have the same problems I'm having now. I use aqua plus, cycle in the tank. And they seem to be getting worse not better. The water is about 10 degrees. So really cold. Should I add a little bit of warm water to bring it up alittle.? They are about a yr old.

 

[HayleyK]

What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH readings? 10 degrees is on the cooler side however adding warm water will stress them, and if you're in a cold area anyway the water will eventually drop to the same temperature. Temperature fluctuations can be even more stressful so I wouldn't do anything about the temperature.

 

[Sweetie]

If it is a new tank, it is probable it is not cycled, unless you transferred filter medium from the old tank into the new one. If your tank is not cycled, it is essential to do daily tests to monitor ammonia, nitrites and nitrates and change as much water every day as you need to in order to keep these readings within safe limits. Your axies sound as though they have ammonia burns, which means your ammonia is above 0.25 (it should be zero).

Get a liquid test kit - test strips are unreliable - and monitor your water quality carefully, doing daily water changes as large as you need to, until your tank is cycled and the water is safe for your axies. Then, you should be able to return to smaller water changes once a week.

Remember to wash your filter in dechlorinated water only (chlorine will kill the good bacteria you need to maintain your cycle).