Unanswered threads

When someone asks a question and nobody answers, they often don't come back. The unanswered lists make it easy to find those questions and give someone a hand, even if it's just a hello.

Where can I find questions nobody has answered?

There are three ways in:

• The Unanswered topics page, which collects them from every section.
• The Unanswered questions: help someone out link on the Forums page, which opens the same page.
• The Answer a question card ("Help another keeper out") at the end of the Hot in the forums strip on the home page and the feed. It only appears when at least one question is waiting.

To see unanswered threads in just one section, open that section and tap the Unanswered tab.

What's on the Unanswered topics page?

The page is titled Unanswered topics and explains: "Someone asked and nobody has replied yet. A quick answer, or even a hello, is often what decides whether a new member comes back."

Each row shows the thread title, the section it's in, who asked (as @username) and how long ago (for example "5h ago"), plus a Reply button. Tapping anywhere on the row opens the thread, where you can comment in the Add a comment… box.

The list shows the 100 most recent unanswered threads, newest first, so the person who just asked (and is most likely to come back) is at the top.

What counts as unanswered?

A thread with zero replies. As soon as anyone posts a comment, including the original poster replying to their own thread, it leaves the unanswered lists. Votes don't count as answers.

Why doesn't a guide thread show on Unanswered topics?

Threads our team wrote as starter guides for each section aren't questions, so they're left off the Unanswered topics page and aren't counted for the Answer a question card, even if nobody has replied. They can still appear under a section's own Unanswered tab, since that tab simply lists every thread in the section with no replies.

What does the section Unanswered tab show?

Inside a section, the Unanswered tab lists every thread in that section with no replies, newest first. Pinned threads stay at the top. If there are none, it says "Nothing waiting on a reply here."

What does "Every topic has a reply. Nice work, everyone." mean?

That's the empty state on Unanswered topics: every member-posted thread has at least one reply right now. Check back later, or browse Hot in the forums for active conversations.

How do I answer a thread from the list?

1. Tap the thread (or its Reply button).
2. Read the question and any photos.
3. Type your answer in the Add a comment… box under the opening post.
4. Tap Comment.

The asker gets a New reply notification that takes them straight to your comment. See Replying in the forums.

I'm not an expert. Should I still reply?

Yes, as long as it's helpful. Asking for missing details (tank size, water test results, a photo), pointing to a useful guide or saying you've had the same problem all help. Please don't guess on fish health or medication questions; say what you know and suggest they post test results.

Does answering earn anything?

Every forum post counts toward your post milestones, and upvotes on your helpful answers add to your bubbles. See Bubbles and Trophies.

Common problems

A thread I answered still shows as unanswered. The lists refresh about once a minute. Reload the page after a minute.

My own question is on the list. It stays there until someone replies. Adding more details (as a comment on your own thread) takes it off the list, so only do that when you have something useful to add. A clearer title and a photo can help attract answers.

I don't see the Answer a question card. It only appears when at least one member-posted thread has no replies.