FAQS

If your fish is darting or scratching against objects in your aquarium, is hovering near the top of the aquarium for air, or has suddenly developed white spots on its body, these may be symptoms of disease. Ich, the likeliest of culprits, is a bacterial infection that is highly treatable with API SUPER ICK CURE™ fish remedy, so be sure to treat as soon as you notice symptoms. Other diseases, such as fungal and parasitic infections, may be treated with other fish remedies such as API PIMAFIX™ fish remedy, API MELAFIX™ fish remedy, or API GENERAL CURE™ fish remedy, to name a few options. Browse our full selection of fish remedies to select one that is best matched to your fish's specific symptoms.

Recovery time depends on how soon you began treating your fish after the disease was contracted, and whether you selected the proper fish remedy to target your fish's specific symptoms. If you have diagnosed and treated your fish correctly, you should notice an improvement in your fish's behavior and appetite within one week. For stubborn illnesses, multiple treatments and doses are sometimes necessary (i.e. PIMAFIX™ fish remedy combined with MELAFIX™ fish remedy can be highly effective for treating stubborn bacterial infections); however, it is important to dose according to the directions on a product label unless otherwise instructed by an API Technical Services representative.

API fish remedies target most symptoms of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections. However, if your fish has contracted a viral infection, there is no fish remedy that will cure the virus. Much like humans, fish need to cover from viruses on their own, with the aid of treatments like API AQUARIUM SALT and API STRESS COAT™ water conditioner to ease symptoms and expedite recovery time.

Fish gasping at the water's surface indicates a need for oxygen. Increase aeration immediately with air stones or powerheads. High temperature, high nitrite, or high ammonia levels will cause this symptom, so be sure to check all of your water parameters, and if necessary, perform a 25% water change. If the water quality and temperature are safe, gasping is a symptom of disease. Visually inspect the fish for signs of damage or disease.

Injuries to your fish such as open wounds or sores, scale damage, or torn fins should be treated to prevent possible infection. First, observe your fish and their habitat and try to determine the cause of injury. Your fish may be fighting, or could be spawning aggression between potential mates or rivals. The fish may need to be separated quickly to avoid further harm.

Injuries to your fish such as open wounds or sores, scale damage, or torn fins should be treated to prevent possible infection. First, observe your fish and their habitat and try to determine the cause of injury. Your fish may be fighting, or could be spawning aggression between potential mates or rivals. The fish may need to be separated quickly to avoid further harm.

If your fish has not been exhibiting fighting behavior, test all water parameters, which are instrumental in keeping your fish healthy and in helping them recover from any potential illness. Next, treat your aquarium with one or more of the following:

-API MELAFIX™ fish remedy for botanical healing of bacterial infections;
-AQUARIUM SALT, if not already in use.

Depending on severity, one or more of these symptoms should be used to adequately treat symptoms.

For white spots that resemble grains of salt on the fins and body of your freshwater fish, treat for Ick, a common parasitic disease, with API SUPER ICK CURE™ fish remedy. Be sure to follow all treatment instructions for this fish remedy.

Most of the time, when your aquarium seems murky, the simplest solution is a water change. This ensures that any waste or debris causing the poor conditions is eliminated, so you can start with a clean slate. Partial water changes usually mean scooping out the top layer (top 25%) of aquarium water and replacing it with dechlorinated tap water (tip: API STRESS COAT™ water conditioner instantly removes chlorine and chloramines from tap water, making it safe for your fish). You should also siphon your gravel during cleaning to remove any visible particles of waste.

If you can’t make time to clean your aquarium right away, a quick solution for cloudy aquarium water is API ACCU-CLEAR™ water clarifier. ACCU-CLEAR water clarifier clumps tiny particles of waste together in your tank to make them more easily removed by your filter, restoring clarity to your aquarium water. Note that it does not remove harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and nitrite, from your aquarium that may be an underlying cause of cloudiness and poor conditions. Combat these toxins using API AMMO-LOCK™ water treatment, or simply perform a partial water change if ammonia is high upon testing.

It is essential to test your water at least weekly to be sure that your conditions are safe for fish. We recommend API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT or API SALTWATER MASTER TEST KIT to quickly and effectively test your freshwater or saltwater aquarium conditions. An even quicker option is API 5-IN-1 TEST STRIPS, which are easily dipped in water and compared to a color chart to analyze results.

If your test results show high ammonia but you aren’t able to do a partial water change right away, dose your aquarium with API AMMO-LOCK™ water treatment. This product converts poisonous ammonia into a non-toxic form, making your aquarium a safer environment for fish until you can perform a partial water change.

The odor may be caused by food waste from overfeeding, or even a dead fish or snail that went unnoticed. Be sure to perform a partial water change or filter cartridge change if necessary, and test ammonia and nitrite levels to confirm that water is safe. Lastly, use API BIO-CHEM ZORB™ filtration media to remove odors from dirty aquarium water.

When reestablishing an existing pond at the beginning of pond season, or when starting a new pond, you should first ensure your pond water is treated properly and is free from debris and dirt. If restarting a pond for the season, change 15-25% of the water to reduce any waste that has built up over the winter. To make new tap water safe for fish, treat with POND STRESS COAT™ water conditioner to eliminate harmful chemicals. Always use a pond conditioner whenever you are adding water to your pond.

For a fast and effective algae control, use API POND ALGAEFIX™ algae control in ornamental ponds with no outflow. API POND ALGAEFIX algae control effectively controls green water algae blooms, string or hair algae (Cladophora), and blanketweed (Oedogonium) in ponds containing live plants and fish. This fast-acting treatment controls algae growth, the formation of new algae, and helps resolve algae problems. Dose every 3 days until algae is controlled. Once algae growth is under control, add one dose per week. Weekly doses will control algae growth and reduce pond maintenance.

If you notice a build-up of algae and sludge or other debris in your pond, use API POND ECOFIX™ SLUDGE DESTROYER™ bacterial cleaner to break down waste and increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen in your pond. The result is cleaner, clearer water and a healthier ecosystem for your fish.

Feed your fish API POND FISH FOOD or API COOL WATER FOOD 2-3 times a day, only as much as they can eat within 5 to 10 minutes. Do not overfeed fish, as uneaten food will quickly turn to waste and spike ammonia in your pond water.

Adding the right number and size of fish to your pond is important. Adding too many leads to poor water quality and health problems. This is especially true in an unfiltered pond with little or no aeration. A general rule for success is to stock your properly filtered and aerated pond with 3-4 inches of fish for every square foot of pond surface area.

Root-bound plants should be divided and re-potted. Use API AQUATIC PLANT MEDIA to re-pot plants. Aquatic plants need the right nutrients for growth and flowering, and AQUATIC FOOD TABLETS will provide these essential nutrients to potted plants such as water lilies and lotus.

As long as your pond does not freeze to the bottom and an air hole is provided somewhere on the surface of your pond, your fish will survive the winter by hibernating at the very bottom of your pond. You'll want to invest in a pond aerator or de-icer to maintain an oxygen hole in any ice that forms.

Remove any excess debris that has formed at the bottom of your pond with a plastic rake, net, or other device that will not damage the liner or fish in your pond. Your fish will become mostly inactive when water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so you should also stop feeding them around this time. Once the weather turns freezing, your fish cease to digest Koi food as they would in temperate weather.

No! Your pond will freeze and thaw in the spring like other bodies of water. Prior to the first extreme temperatures of the season, do take some time to prune any yellowing leaves from your plants, and remove any waste and debris that has fallen into your pond so that your water will be clean and ready for the spring in a few months!

Keep your pond at least 3 feet deep to allow plenty of room for your fish at the bottom during colder months.

Turtles need both land and water to live, so it's recommended that you keep about 75% of the aquarium filled with water for your aquatic turtle. A general rule of thumb when preparing your turtle's habitat is 10 gallons per inch of turtle (remember that as your turtle grows, it will need more space).

Keep in mind that in addition to lots of water, your cold-blooded turtle needs a small, dry area to rest and bask under a heat source. It's recommended to keep the basking temperature between 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit with proper lighting that imitates natural sunlight. Your lighting choice should produce UVA and UVB rays and be on for 10-12 hours per day. It's recommended to use timers to set a naturally-occurring cycle.

It is essential that your turtle get the proper nutrition it needs to grow and remain healthy. We recommend a high-quality source of protein, such as crickets, mealworms, or waxworms to keep your turtle strong. A vegetable or plant source is also important for balanced nutrition with natural vitamins and calcium, so once a week, feed your turtle 1-2 teaspoons of dark, leafy greens, such as kale, collards, or mustard greens.

When starting a new turtle tank or changing your water, it is necessary to use a water conditioner that will eliminate harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals, from your tank. API® TURTLE WATER CONDITIONER makes tap water safe for all aquatic reptiles and amphibians by neutralizing the chemicals commonly found in tap water. This treatment works instantly to dechlorinate aquarium and/or vivarium water, so you can start enjoying your underwater world right away.