By the title, you may know that I am new to fish….. I got these fish and tank from an ex partner of mine and although he is very good at answering questions, there are just some things we both cannot figure out. They’ve been living with me since June and I just want to make sure I am giving them the best life they can have. 

1. Some of my plants die, and I don’t know what’s causing it. I don’t even know what some of the plants are called (very sorry) but they look like they’re getting almost sun spots. I used to have my tank in the sun, but found out that’s bad for the program and moved it somewhere in my  
living room. It’s weird because the plant that’s the most dead is the one furthest from the sun, but the one behind it that’s also far from the sun is okay…. In the picture, the plant that’s dying the most is the one in the front right corner.   
I use API leaf zone when I do a tank clean! 

2. Is there anything I need to give my fish for enrichment? I feel bad because the only thing I even do for them is talk to them and sometimes I put my hand in the tank and they kiss it. I have plants and little hiding spaces, but my bottom feeder is really the only one that uses the hiding spots. Sometimes they chase each other around the tank but I want to be able to do more for them. 

3. My bottom feeder just does not eat. I have found out that if I feed my other fish and put the algae pellet where my bottom feeder hides, that’s the best way to get the other fish to not eat his food; however, it seems like he doesn’t even eat it. I put 1/4 of a wafer every time I feed him (every few days) and when I go to check after a few hours, it’s no longer there. Is he eating it or is it dissolving? He does go around sucking the glass and rocks of the tank so I feel like he is getting some nutrients, and all the fish I have are at least almost a year old, so he’s always been like this since he was in my ex’s care. 

I’ll add a photo of the tank below. It’s 25” long and I think it’s a little over 25 gallons. I have 8 fish, although I really don’t know what any of them are, so if anyone can identify that as well, I’d be happy, but not important. If I can answer any questions for anyone else please let me know! 

New to fish, can I get some answers to some questions?