Top 10 Common Fish That Can Be Hard to Keep Alive!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Want to learn more about how fish stores should be quarantining fish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIvJlJWgaJVpbNE Here is how to buy healthy fish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZrMmJJshMeDbqc If you wan more info on some of the fish featured in this video take a look at these species profiles: Betta Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laTXkGl4bpuHoJI Angelfish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boi7d5mli9iSebM Discus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYPCYWyIir6kldE Rummynose Tetra: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4eclnp-bt5jhrc Neon Tetra: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHLXmoBnnL55q9U Bristlenose Pleco: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPXkKeghLCMbpY Guppy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn3QaKNoZqt9bas Molly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZvReqyud5KggJo Do you want a subscription to the best fish magazine in the world? Check this out! www.amazonasmagazine.com/primetime Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch Want to become a Prime Timer and see behind the scenes fish room videos? Consider becoming a member: kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

Great video Prime, I was expecting yet another obvious common pleco, Oscars, Red Taoil cat fish video. 1. I concur. 2. I concur. 3. I concur. 4.I concur, but would have had higher numbers on travel issues and keeping them alive. 5. Need to be bought 100% from private breeders that are really good. I concur again. 6. I concur, BUT MUCH HIGHER NUMBERS ON ALL! :-D 7. I concur, wilds are easier to keep. They are hardier. 8. I concur, I konow your proble, they breed them in saltwater because it is free from the sea. Then they slowly die, if you are lycky you get fry before all parants die. Always buy them private. 9. I concur and have an answer for you! I have a video about it. Neon Tetra Virus, I have finally found out how to keep them alive. That virus is untreatable. Watch my video if you want to know the truth. 10. I concur with all. Buy them private. Mollys same thing as with guppies.They are breeding them in sea water from the ocean, liver failure and tons of virus in them. Impressive video. Listen to Prime fishlovers, he is right and he is original with a top 10 for once!

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

20 minutes of background music 🎶 wow!

[@Evil_Genius_888]

From my limited experience this list is pretty accurate. I hate losing fish, but it happens. I’m getting better stock now and a better fishkeeper now, but it still happens.

[@MinhHieu-ie6eh]

Now do a top 10 uncommon fish that can be easy to keep alive.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It’s coming 😀

[@Glowskully]

Rosy red minnows, weather loach, rainbow shiners.

[@thechickenwizard8172]

Hillstream loach, ropefish

[@LIL_flips]

White cloud minnows and black neon Tera in my experience are bulletproof

[@joshuapeak3474]

Pea puffers kinds uncommon cuz there popular and sell quick and I never had problems with them unless thy get aggressive and kill each other I had thst be4

[@NatashaReeder]

The thing with bettas and tumors is completely true. Not much you can do in terms of treatment my first koi betta didn’t have them but my current special buy betta does and they are even starting to spread to her body unfortunately. The only thing that’s working for me to keep them in check is by adding seachem stress guard. You can go as far as adding some seachem paraguard but again might not do much.

[@sandrayala]

Be aware that StressGuard and ParaGuard are NOT to be used together, that a recipe for disaster.

[@tommachin8705]

Definitely Agree about Molly's and Guppies. Both just great and popular fish. Both raised in Brackish water over seas in huge numbers and they simply don't do well state side unless you have pretty hard water. Even then it's a toss up unless you get baby's born in your tank.

[@anoobis_]

YESSS. The list everyone needs to know. I've experienced this with bettas, guppies, and neon tetras.

[@ml9942]

Great video, knowledgeable without an agenda. Some of the other fish tubers are all about click bait, selling products thru thier videos or just drama. Ur just fish content

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I’m getting them from Dan’s fish…bread by folks who keep them in the US and quarantined. They also, which is not scientific look happy. I love a lot of imported fish but hubby and I decided to only buy US tank bred.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Local bred guppies are the best. I also breed mollies and after 3 years I finally have them breeding after all the disease and deaths have died off by just getting a mix of black and marbled and sailfins. By doing this during the 3 year period they adjusted to Chicago water and the weak and disease died off and the mix and strong survived. My local aquarium shop was happy to get my overload because the ones coming in just did not survive for them.

[@donttalktome4696]

This applies to shrimp as well. I bought 30 from a local guy here in the north suburbs of chicago and didn't lose a single one! I counted at least fifty babies after ~30-40 days. Some came berried.

[@rickfromthecape3135]

Love seeing your fifty lowboy with the mollies. Probably one of my favorite tanks on YT. Great informative video. Although I would specify that discus water parameters are tied directly to where they're being bred now as opposed to always trying to match the low PH soft water of their wild habitat.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@shannonricketts2575]

I am so happy Mollies are on this list. I’ve NEVER been able to keep them alive no matter how perfect the water conditions are. I also didn’t know about the “death wobble”. If I decide to try again, I’ll be watching for that.

[@drewzero1]

Yes, I've had mixed success with mollies even with relatively hard water. When I see the wobble (or "shimmy") I know it's time to change some water, asap.

[@mikech60]

That is strange, I got my mollies from Petsmart, aside from 1 died, the rest just grew and die HARD! They can even live in a tank with no heater. I only added little salt at the begining, then slowly reduced it with every water change.

[@SAngelSky]

Very interesting video, i'm a big angelfish fan, and i've notice with years, a little bit like the bettas, alot of genetic problems. Overbreeding and poor conditions have become a real problem. I've notice alot of random issues popping as they grow. Now i'm extra careful from where i'm getting my fish. Thank you for talking about this matter

[@MELODYMUNRO]

I have a theory about what weakens baby discus. I believe it is being raised in sterile breeding conditions that weakens them. My fry are bred and raised in tanks with substrate, rocks, plants and mulm - NATURAL. I often observe the parents escorting their young to the driftwood, rocks or plants and their fry pecking at it. I believe that this gut loads the fry with bacteria they need to stay healthy. When we remove this we are taking away their access to vital bacteria's and probably a host of other things that they need or benefit from having access to. I believe this foraging makes them strong - I have NEVER had to worm any of my baby discus or treat them for disease. Have I lost some? yes, a handful, in th first 10 days where the smallest often do perish. Nor have I wormed my adults or had to treat them for disease. They have never shown any signs of worms.

[@kgonzi868]

New to the hobby of just about 3 months. I have a 30 Gallon with Rasboras, Albino corydoras and a Betta and for me it's been those Albino corydoras. Idk why but I'm struggling to keep them alive. I either find them dead and stuck in-between plants or as of recent just found 2 of them just sitting on the bottom in open water dead with no signs of disease etc.

[@edwinvoolstra5868]

I had trouble keeping Ottocinclus allive i learned letting them acclimate longer and having a decent amount of wood/caves pieces in the tank does help em thrive

[@Vcaser]

I love my little otos! I have tons of plants, so that might be why they don’t care to use the caves and hollow logs. They’ll flop right in the shrimp dish and wait for the food to fall on them ❤

[@violetvengance202]

Agree especially the bristle nose! I bought a very small BN and only live 4min from my local pet store and it bellied up before I got home…went back and the replacement did the same thing! Third time was a charm but WOW never knew these little ones were so sensitive 😔

[@walterotiepka1460]

I kept discus, reef , al kinds of fish. Discus in my experience more difficult than a reef tank. I used to do 75% water changes every other day I had success but maintaince made it so unenjoyable.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

A very thorough and informative video. Excellent!

[@ItsLaurenE]

*SORRY THIS IS LONG* I'd be interested to see a version of these videos about the most common illnesses. Highlighting the differences between bacterial vs fungal, how some illness lead into others, quarantine sick fish vs TREAT YOUR ENTIRE TANK NOW, medication and water changes, medications to use together and or salt baths treatment, rate of contagious-ness to other fish, and the cling of said disease on tank, survival of disease vs cull and euthanasia. To often I see posts stating BUT ALL THE OTHER FISH ARE FINE, or they think separating the sick fish in a breeder still in the same tank does something, or this fish looks like death so they did a water change. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate these videos and how often i got back to the profile vids. ♥️

[@eviess13]

You make amazing and helpful vids! Every time I search up a question about my fish tank and I see your videos I sigh in relief because I know I am in good hands! Thank you!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you for being here!

[@mk_cichlids]

I have had terrible luck with store bought guppies. One big box store and two local fish stores. None of them ever do well for me. Surprisingly platies were the same way for me. Bought 7 seemingly very healthy platies, only one made it past two weeks to live long term. No idea why. But I still have the one in my community, doing great.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

i dont seem to have very much luck with corydoras trilineatus. 3 out of 4 of mine have just withered away, gotten a reddish hue and passed. parameters are fine though

[@ragnos28]

From the list: - Angel fish: I suspect that the juveniles are cheap not only because they are easy to breed, but also because, like I’ve seen in my tanks, the juveniles are not easy to keep alive. From my experience, you can’t just get that small white long fin angel, put it in your establish community tank, and all will be well. They will be sensitive to any strong curent, when you do water changes you can't just pour lots of water at once, and if there is any problem in your tank, that little guy/guys will be the first to die. Also, I suspect that the recommendation to get 6 juveniles if you want at least a pair, has more to do with the fact that most would not make it to adulthood, that with just increasing the chances of getting different sexes. Guppy: At this point, I can say that I hate guppies. I lack tanks, so I let them colony breed. I hate calling the individuals with birth defects, I hate the mysterious diseases they get, even though no other fish in the tank have any problems, water parameters are fine, nitrates are zero, rummy nose have their “noses” red, etc. I hate the constant hunt for “fresh blood”, that affect any line you want to keep. So, at this point, I’m waiting for them to die of, and I will not buy another. They breed, but something always happen to the parents, the babies reach maturity, they breed, something happen to them, and so on. I should mention that my water has a PH of 7.4, hardness over 20 dGh, they should be fine, but nope. I’ve heard they do better if some salt is added to their water, but that is not an option for me, as I have corys and a colony of mistery snails. Dispite keeping fish for over 20 years, I guess I’m not experienced enough to keep guppies alive…

[@chriscyr4982]

Great info, your natural born teaching style comes through in your videos. Prime Time and Small Scape videos should be mandatory when buying certain species at the pet store. Or at least write an 'in-store' buyers guide manual for unknowing families that come in and buy impulsively. Thanks

[@Xenda]

Great topic for discussion, and the fish list was spot on!

[@matthewzito6130]

Good list. You could probably add Dwarf Gouramis.

[@beandrag9019]

There’s definitely some fish on here that I never really even thought of but now that you mention them, I completely agree. Like angelfish and rummynose specifically.

[@qpqp2339]

One of the most important and informative videos fish keepers could watch! Scoring fish against several metrics was a great choice and adds so much important context to understanding and troubleshooting (if possible) the problems fishkeeper inevitably face. Also glad to see the partnership with amazonas, it is a good excuse to finally subscribe!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for being here!

[@cathylocklin3215]

Good information,thank you 👍🏻

[@triciamccaw5734]

Definitely no luck with Mollies or tetras for me but my guppies are going strong! I must have some hardy stock !

[@adamworley196]

Good, informative video! Thanks!

[@tannerbroadwell5488]

i’ve kept guppies for a few years and i highly recommend treating them all for internal parasites especially if you notice white stringy poop. also make sure to treat them twice in a row to kill the adults and the eggs that hatch about a week later. the entire process takes at least 2 weeks but you can keep treating for a 3rd week to be extra safe

[@eh9918]

Ive seen this issue so many times as well. In Canada, no dewormers are even sold in stores, you have to get them online or from a vet. Ive lost so many to worms, they just stop eating, get skinny and die :/ I ended up going and getting local endler guppies. I have some guppy babies that made it, and hoping to breed them to get a healthy line.

[@BradJohnson075]

Thoughts on otocinclus? They seem to have a reputation for being delicate. I've kept them successfully but always tend to lose a few when introducing them to the tank. They seem to be hardy if they survive the first few weeks. I've read this is due to them being wild caught and/or issues with getting them to eat commercial fish food if you don't have enough algae and diatoms in your tank to support them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Otos can be tough too!

[@Vcaser]

I was hesitant to try otos, but after my beloved betta passed from old age, I dared not risk another betta for fear of my shrimp. I got 6 otos, and I lost the “runt” after about a month. The 5 survivors seem to be thriving. Got them from a reputable source, and they were already eating kelp wafers so I bought the same brand for them. Fingers crossed, cuz now I’m in love with them ❤

[@cories4life991]

Thank you for doing this video. I have started off with 3 electric blue rams in my 29 gallon (1 male, 2 females). Since I got them in August, at separate times, my females randomly passed away, I have been trying to figure out why. My remaining male seems to be doing fantastic. Temp is stable at 82*, nitrates almost undetectable due to the amount of plants I have. They are on the same diet my reputable LFS uses for theirs. My city water PH sits around 8, I would rather not chase it as I would rather have it stable. That being said, I do have some ember and green neon tetras, red phantom tetras, otocinclus, sterbai cories, espei rasboras and I have had a very high success rate with all of them.

[@usersadsf]

Chasing the pH only applies to when you have a 5-6 pH fish and you have it in, an at max, neutral pH. You cant use the "chasing the pH' excuse if youre that high. Youre not gonna have rams that live past a few months at 8 pH

[@larryhenry719]

Neon tetras are the only ones I have ever had issues with.

[@chriswillock2177]

I find Platies and Sword Tails are pretty hardy. We have very hard water and they do ok in it.

[@CrazyFishDad]

I’m from the Milwaukee area and have never heard of the Fish Factory. Thank you for showing me a new place to visit with my wife and kids!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Worth a trip!

[@nuckythomson9244]

What's up buddy love the vids and the live stream! Keep it up man!!!

[@mitchelpinion1852]

My experience tracks closely with your rankings, especially with guppies and neon tetras.

[@aviation47551]

My first betta died after just one week! The first days he did great but after some days he started to lie on the substrate and it looked like he had hard to swim. We tested the water and it was fine. And a week later after the betta died i got a new one that I have had for over an year now.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Glad the new one is doing ok!

[@aviation47551]

Thanks

[@qcaquaholic]

Apistogrammas have been impossible for me to keep alive. I've had cacatuoides (numorous times), borellii (twice), agassizii (few times) and breitbinden (once). The longest I've kept them alive for is about six months I think. All my other fish have been fine, breeding and everything.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Those can be tough too

[@paulcrecca4785]

Just joined as a Member. Great Videos. I've learned a ton.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for being here!

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

Guppies were a beginner fish. May be the 1st one. Nowadays they are not, but is still recommended for beginners!!! 😶🙄

[@edmorris1437]

The frustrating thing is so many retailers were driven out of business by the big box stores, and high cost of shipping. So unless you live in a large city, your choice is either PetSmart, or Craigslist.

[@Sir_Football_]

This really helps because I'm getting a fish soon!☺️😄😃

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Have fun!

[@Sir_Football_]

You too!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

The number system confuses me. Though from your comments I gleaned the info you are sharing. I agree with most of what you said. Thanks for sharing.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The lower numbers are worse

[@jesslittle7110]

My redtail is AWESOME . And she is pretty easy to care for . But as you have said , she is happiest alone . We thought "lets get her some company" . We bought 2 Balas put them with her and she quickly ran one to death . We removed the remaining Bala and put it in the community tank and it is fine . Then Sharkisha was back to bieng happy . We put some snails with her for cleanup but otherwise we are just leaving her be .

[@SchusterFishes]

Ughhh the electric blue jack 😂😂😂 I tried 3 times smh. They just start melting and falling apart, such a cool fish it’s a bummer

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You’re not the only one

[@satguy]

Especially neons I Iost 90% to neon disease. But the last one is doing great.

[@sorinvoicu3188]

Thank your for this kind of information. I have some of the issues, mostly bad genetics (Betta, Guppy, Cherry Shrimp).

[@tophiepecimo3031]

Very informative video! Watching from Philippines, one of the reason i keep Tiger barbs they are very hardy and easy to keep. ❤

[@johncameron4194]

Rewatching again. Outstanding overview

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@TrevorTangen]

Great video! Only other fish I would add to the list would be the dwarf gourami

[@paulouzman7267]

Otocinclus. Bought 4, lost 3 in the first few weeks. If you don't have soft water, don't bother. As wild caught fish, they struggle to adapt. Also Cardinals. Bought 10, all got ich, got them through that, but 3 died subsequently.

[@dcphifer4307]

Great Review. What Floating Plants are in the Guppy Tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I usually use hornwort but guppy grass works well too.

[@craigsxchange]

Some of these fish I haven't had, but have heard are difficult to keep. Now I know why. I've had some of the others, and very much agree with your assessment. My water parameters are difficult to deal with: PH 8.2, water hardness that reads way off the scale. My method of buying fish is to buy twice as many as I want to keep. Between water parameters and the sometimes difficulty of quarantine meds, I expect to lose @ 50%. In some ways that's good because I end up with the strongest ones that are most adaptable. Managing to keep some rainbow fish for @ 2 years now, and cardinal tetras and white cloud minnows for @ 1 year. It's taken about 5 years of trial and error to get to this point. I think part of the success is a more mature tank and better water changes. Still learning, still trying to improve. 🙂

[@caewalker9276]

Amazonas mag is the bomb! Thanks 👍.

[@kirabowie]

I was having trouble keeping guppies that I got from my local big box pet store. I tried everything & the only thing that worked (to the point that my guppies are overstocked in my tank thanks to guppies being guppies 😉) was bottled water. Regular bottled water (store brand) and then moving on to using live plants in my tank. I've kept guppies off and on since I was a kid & I've never had any breed so well, since I stopped using tap water with dechlorinator in it. 😅

[@johncameron4194]

This explains why Petco no longer sells rummy nose or ever has neons

[@Papa-in-Tx]

This is a great video, on a subject I don't often see addressed, but I was surprised that otocinclus and dwarf gouramis didn't make the list. Otos would probably get a 1 for shipping and dwarf gouramis the same for genetics.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Otos were close!

[@l.wachum6558]

Thank you for this! In the last year I have purchased bristlenose Pleco x 3, Molly x 6, Neon x 20, angel x 3(about quarter size). Lost 2 Molly, all 3 Pleco within a week, 5 neons, and 2 angels. Couldn't figure out why, not all the same tank. All were quarantined before and the plecos didn't even get out of the quarantine! Also purchased red eye balloon tetra, and a bunch of rasbora, otocinclus, Platy, rosy barb, loaches, tiger barbs, rainbow shark, corydoras, gourami... the list goes on. Agassizzi dwarf cichlid, yeah... only lost those on your list... We have 6 tanks and counting, and we lost just those fish in your list. Weird... I am feeling a little better now. My water is hard and fairly high ph... (8), but amonia & Nitrites are kept at zero, Nitrates are about 5ppm and once there, water change! I get very upset when I lose any, so at least I thank you for this! I want to eventually breed angels and Kribs, maybe even try Oscars in a few years once my babies get bigger, but I won't try if I can't keep a dang Molly alive!

[@queenneptune2456]

I mainly keep guppies and love my guppies. Started with all female til one gave birth to 3 females and 1 male. This 1 male led me to build another guppy tank. Tried to get him buddies and every male I bought died even though I had perfect parameters, quarantined, medicated etc. Just couldn't keep them alive. This video w/ the guppy section made me feel less guilty like the deaths were my fault 😔

[@patrickhamel2756]

Good deal on the subscription, just grabbed mine off the link. Thanks!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Awesome to hear!

[@mattfnonig6403]

Definitely agree with the molly. I've lost 6 of them and can't figure out why

[@carljewell5536]

I had my most trouble with the different colored danio. The zebra danio always seems to do fine for me but not the rest of them.

[@naegwut]

Great content!!!

[@Whips_World]

I'm glad to see mollies on this list as high as they are. I simply can not keep them alive. They get the Death Wobble every time. However, as you eluded to, I have always bought them from the two big box stores.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Death wobble is horrible!

[@LostInWestTexas]

Thank you for this. I got the prettiest Betta about 1.5 months ago, and I’m struggling with him so much. My last one was healthy and happy for the almost 3 year I had him. This one is losing scales around his face, and I’m not sure why. I have a sand bottom, real plants, and a foam filter. The tank is cycled, there’s no rocks or decorations in the tank, it’s just planted. What gives, little buddy?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hard to say for sure. Maybe some type of bacterial infection?

[@sionlim1]

rummynose and ich , holy cow! had 20 for a month liked the school got 10 more and wiped out , only the rummynose and my 3 mth old clown loaches. nothing else got a small school of rummynose rasboras instead. 55g tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sorry that happened!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

I tired mollies many years ago. They always died. My bettas have lasted 2 years. My goldfish lived in a bowl back in the 1990's (didn't know any better) for 3 years. Then I had a goldfish who outgrew his tank in 2018 and went to live in a friend's fish pond. That fish is still alive. I probably bored you to tears with that information. 😂 Have a good day. Gina

[@dalyo96]

I have very very hard water but surprisingly have never had an issue keeping neon tetras alive

[@jeremymoore450]

This is pretty accurate list. I just lost my black molly after about 6 - 8 months or so. I still have the original porkchop Rasboras, and black skirted tetras and glow light tetras and it's almost been a year. The three mentioned above are some of the hardiest fish I have ever seen. My water parameters are perfect to. I test every week and it's frustrating when I lose fish and everything water wise is fine. Neon Tetras I agree with and Cherry barbs seem to die quick also or get stressed fast. I also think that Severums are very hardy also. They are like tanks and can survive Beginner mistakes. I appreciate this list thank you. Yes I want to keep angels but every time I have boughten them they don't last more than a day or 2. So It has turned me off of them for now. I have a pair of German blue rams in my 55 gal and they seem very healthy and very pretty. I also keep my water right around 80 degrees or around 79 or so. I also have a regular Ram and a EBA and a Golden Severum in the 55 gal as a grow out tank. The later 2 are going to move to my 90 gal with my Green Severum and my Female Jack Dempsey that I rescued from my LFS.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sounds like you have everything dialed in. If you try angels again buy them larger. That may help.

[@markfranklin8831]

I agree with you on all the info

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

For the tank I’m setting up in the Spring.

[@CatFish107]

How about this as a strategy for guppies? As soon as possible, crossbreed them with endler/guppy hybrids to add some hardiness to your stock.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Store bought guppies often don’t make it long enough to breed. I can’t get most of them to survive even a few weeks.

[@deborahcollis9814]

I've had problems with most of these fish. The biggest problem I found is I wasn't keeping the ph low enough. I won't even buy the blue neon anymore

[@ManiacSkateboarding]

A lot of small business fish stores in my area don’t even say hello when you walk in. You can get better service at the gas station. Obviously the prices are higher but I expect better service. Petco in my area always asks questions and the prices are lower

[@sherryp8967]

Neon tetras, guppies and Glofish.

[@hillaryburdick9313]

Quick question: are neon and cardinal tetras similar in hardiness (particularly travel related)? I ask this because I also had one of my cardinals die when I first brought them home.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I find cardinal tetras to be more sensitive

[@hillaryburdick9313]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics that makes sense. Thanks!

[@jerrymalicay4014]

No 1 for me since i was little was betta fish

[@rustyberry4405]

Neon tetras I have experienced personally. I bought 12 and ended up with eight surviving.

[@LIL_flips]

I bought 24 neon tetras, had a 65 gallon, cycled, planted tank and only about 12 lived

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Some stores actually have cardinal tetras that are healthier.

[@joewwilliams]

I've had one betta. He developed a tumor and died in a little over a year. Was disappointing and sad for him. Gups have been a mixed bag. Some die of early, but those that remain stay fat, pumping out babies. Probably with better genetics more would last longer. I also have high pH, hard water. Don't usually see disease.

[@seanaustin8516]

Yes the first one and the first comment ❤❤⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤❤

[@horrorstateofmind2724]

Had a bad Experience with Neon Tetras from a mom and pop fish store so expected healty fish and I'm sure they were but a few hours later came home to 4 dead tetras..smh i went back again and tested my water again and they told me my PH was to high

[@darnellfisher4148]

Yes I've had such a problem with Electric Blue Jack Dempsey. They all die or get killed staying so small so long. Yes they are $20 each here and I bought 4 or 5 at once. And I really would love to do Discus but very afraid. If I travel from now on I'm gonna carry my inverter to use my heater and air pump connected. I also sent you a couple of questions on your double stack aquarium video. I'm gonna try to use your technique this week if I can get a chance. Can you check it for me and respond please? Thanks you in advance.

[@christinabishop2533]

Bought 10 Neon Tetras from my private owned LFS and within a month I lost 6 of them. Surprisingly, 4 of the 10 are still alive despite fluctuations of ammonia.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, they tend to do very poorly with any ammonia.

[@eh9918]

Livebearers in general, so many come with worms, or they just get skinny and die. Ive even tried quarantining and medicating for bacterial, fungal, and parasites. I started getting them local, because I got told the genetics are just so poor.

[@johncameron4194]

I agree about the guppy. I loved mine but they just did not survive

[@BigJeec]

Guppies...yes. *chuckles* I bough half a dozen of them to put in my 360g custom indoor pond with 3 Red eared slider turtles (pond has dividers in it) and...I have hundreds now that I do sell back to LFS. Not the same luck with Neon tetra unfortunately can't keep them..tried from different sources..nothing. Black, pink and my chinese neon seem to be going better. Platies...I have some in my 50 gal heavy planted tank...no luck with getting fry after a year and I seem to be losing those fish one by one now a month at a time. Angels are doing good, had 6 juveniles in a 45 gal. A pair formed recently and I rehomed the rest. Same with bristlenoses got 2 males as juvelines, they now have their own tanks and I'm looking for females to pair them.

[@lisatsen1556]

You are not wrong about betta. We'd lost 4 so far n the ones that are left dont seem to be thriving also. Maybe its the water, maybe its genetic, cant seem to keep them more than 3 months here😢 the platy n swordfish are doing great thouth ( they're house in different tank from the betta) and had had babies every month almost..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sorry that happened - it can be frustrating.

[@johncameron4194]

This is a good video

[@ryanryker5409]

So true on the betta fish. I only had my little Sharkbait for a month before his tumor came in. I had to euthanize him because it was starting to take over a good chunk of his body and he couldn't swim right anymore.

[@ayyrazza]

Might be late to this but when you say local fish store does that mean like petco/petsmart. Or are you including local tropical fish stores?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I usually call those the “big box stores” and they are often a step down from the independently owned fish stores.

[@ayyrazza]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics oh okay so you’re saying even local owned tropical fish stores can get from bad sources?

[@dylanneff]

I got my guppies from IFGA breeders, and they are absolutely bullet proof. I can keep them at any temp from 65-80 and they’re not affected much if I accidentally let my nitrates slip up for a week or two. The source of your fish makes all the difference for baseline health.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's a great way to go!

[@mikech60]

Talking about German Blue ram, would you know what is the genetics of the balloon ram? I noticed these things are much hadier than the original German blue rams.

[@MelodieRose727]

I agree with the fancy guppies, and I am remembering several years ago when I tried to keep them, and they kept dying over and over, in what seemed like acceptable water conditions. I have not had that problem with Endlers, and it may just be because of the different breeding practices with the two species. (I also found your number system a bit baffling, sorry.)

[@lemonlizard1]

Guppies are only good if you buy high quality strains or locally. I bought a gorgeous strain (albino full red) from an lfs for $40. The first batch of fry was healthy, but after that, every single batch ended up sick with flukes. I would treat them for weeks, maybe 50-70% of the fry would survive and grow up. I would wait 1-2 months, breed them again, and the fry would get flukes again. The cycle continued maybe 4 times until I gave up. I've stopped breeding them and am going to sell them all once they get to a sellable size (Once they grow up they're bulletproof). Once they're all sold I'll dry out all the tanks and equipment, get a high quality strain from a breeder and try again.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Totally agree

[@alysonjayne65]

I can't believe it....I just cycled my first tank. Didn't want to overstock and cause an ammonia spike so I literally just added 10 neons and 3 black mollies (160 litre tank) My water is perfect (apparently) and only 6 hours later, I have 1 Molly doing the death wobble!!! I recognized it immediately due to watching this video! I'm in New Zealand and off to sleep now but I fear I'll be mourning my first fatality when I wake up😭

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I’m sorry that happened.

[@MJW173]

it's interesting. I find my male Mollies are more fragile than my female Mollies. Once you get a generation or two deep though, they are solid.