They are kept in individual cups/jars in stores because it would be pricey to house them more appropriately since they do not cohabitate well. Since they can breathe oxygen from the surface, they do not suffocate as other species would in such low oxygen, tiny containers. Unfortunately, they DO still often become ill from the rapid build-up of ammonia and other waste products when kept in small containers.I always see them in the pet store in little tiny jars. Why is that? I never saw them in big tanks....just wondering, because I know nothing about them.
RandomWiktor said:86 might be slightly high; if nothing else, it may be speeding the fish's metabolism and thus shortening its lifespan. 82 is a better temperature for them. I'm also wondering if the tank is cycled? You mention changing the filter pad, which ideally shouldn't be too problematic if there is a healthy population of waste nitrifying bacteria in the substrate. However, if the tank isn't cycled, the fish could be chronically exposed to harmful fluctuations in water parameters such as ammonia spikes. Do you regularly test your water params, and perform weekly waterchanges accordingly?
Tom said:This is good advice Maggie. I know fish way better than I know torts. I still like to use good old fashioned undergravel filters with 2 or 3 inches of aquarium gravel on top. They seem to have fallen out of favor, but none of the new stuff i've tried works nearly as well. Then you only do partial water changes every week or two and use a little bitty gravel vacuum to remove the old water. Makes it real easy.