4 Out Of 5 Fish Died :(

[caz_m]

We recently got given a 15 gallon tank. We put in the water (tap water), but put some stuff in it to make it safe for fish.

We have 2 filters in there, so lots of air pumping round.

Left it a few days.

Bought 5 Neon Tetras, and we now only have one left

What did we do wrong? And what can we do to fix this? I feel awful.

We fed them every other day, and did what we thought was right...but obviously it wasn't.

How can we keep this last fishy alive?

Thanks

Caz

 

[doresy]

Sorry to sound harsh but before you enter into anything (especially when livestock is involved) you should do at least some research

Basically, your fish produce waste that will kill them. Your filter needs to grow bacteria that will protect them.
Right, fish produce ammonia (wee, poo and rotting food) A bacteria forms to nutrify this ammonia but in turn produces nitrIte (note the I) This also will kill your fish. Luckily another form of bacteria forms to nutrify this nitrIte but this also has a byproduct called nitrAte (note the A) This too will harm the fish but only in higher quantities. To lower this you do a partial water change at least weekly and about 20-30%. And that's about it

To replicate this situation without using fish you add ammonia (purchased from homebase)

Best advice, take back to lfs the remaining fish if still alive.

Then read THIS.

It will tell you all you need to know about how to prepare a tank for fish. Patience is also required so prepare yourself for 4-5 weeks of getting the water/filter ready before you even think about adding fish....

It will be worth it I guarantee

 

[dominicbeha]

the two shops in my area that i use wont sell me fish unless i take water in to get it checked.

although u have spent money buying ur tank its worthwhile leaving it to cycle

well responded dorsey

 

[Lynda B]

There's a huge learning curve with this hobby. From what I've seen and read, about half don't know about the nitrogen cycle before they set up a tank. We learn as we go.

You've been given great advice. And now, you'll be well armed for setting up your tank and having healthy, happy fish.

 

[OohFeeshy]

the two shops in my area that i use wont sell me fish unless i take water in to get it checked.

Which is pretty useless, if the tank isn't cycled you're likely to be taking in a sample of tap water, and if that contained ammonia or nitrite I'd be pretty worried.

 

[timmystood]

Don't feel bad, we all make mistakes and welcome to the forum! I believe the main reason you lost your neons was because you added them too fast. Neon Tetra aren't the hardiest fish because their bred so intensively for the hobby. You'd be much better off starting with Platties etc. and adding your neons 6-8 weeks down the line. Don't give up and stick with it!

 

[caz_m]

Thanks everyone.

We went to an Aquatics place today, and they have told us what to do.

We bought a brand spanking new filter, a pump (we also now have a frog with bubbles coming from his mouth) some proper plants, and have treated the water with one of those quick cycle liquids (as we have a fish already, seems it was the only choice with the time we had), and have a testing kit. We did this earlier, and now the water is the right temp, we put our remaining Tetra in there and he seems pretty happy. Darting around investigating his new surroundings. Hopefully the advice we got today will keep him alive.

Once its all ok (here's hoping), what fish would go well in the tank?

We have a 15 gallon tank (24 x 12 x 12). Thanks

 

[mark.w.jones]

Donate your neon to someone else, or find someone to baby sit him. Then fishless cycle your tank. Follow add and wait from link in my sig. Really easy. Then you can fully stock your tank in about 4 weeks time when you finish your fishless cycle. Whilst doing this research fish you fancy. Post ideas for stock here. Also, read all faqs in this forum and tropical chat.

 

[caz_m]

Thank you!!

I think, in a few weeks, we will go for maybe platys, Guppys, or Danios. I would like something quite hardy. Gupoys maybe cuz I think they dont get as big as the others. Not sure.

I like Cherry Barbs, Harlequins and Five Banded barbs, but how big do they get? And do they all like the same water chemistry?

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

I'm not sure about Five banded barbs, I've heard they're fussy, so probably not the best to start off with.
Cherries and Harlequins will stay around the 1-2" mark and are pretty hardy and flexible with water chemistry. Danios and platies are also excellent to start off with, hehe.
Guppies on the other hand... well, they used to be quite hardy, but recently, the ones carried in the LFS around me are rather inbred/deformed/sick/weak, and I've heard others complain of guppy quality too.

 

[caz_m]

Thank you for that. Was reading up on fish all night lol.

What about Dwarf Gouramis and Loaches?

 

[stang1]

Five Banded Barbs will be fine in your tank. We've had ours for months now and never had any problems. They are very peaceful and colour up really nicely as they get bigger, only grow to about 2" also.
I'm not sure as to what Gouramis you could keep but I've heard that the Sparkling and Honey ones are quite nice. Might be worth having a read up on them to get a better idea. Either that or ask in the Gourami section.
As for Loaches, the Botia ones would probably be more suited for that size tank although they do grow to about 4"-5" and can be quite active. There is a Dwarf variety but not sure on the name. Again, someone else may be able to help you out there.

 

[Jus]

Doresy said it all. But three key bits of advice I can give:

1. Take your time and read the links you've been given. They will save you lots of money, ensure your fish and happy and healthy and no more fish die because of what you do (sorry, sounds a bit patronising but it's really important).

2. Always keep this in mind. Most common causes of fish death is due to water quality caused by...
i. Too many fish in the tank
ii. Over kindness by giving them too much food. Just because they rush to meet you when you go to the tank doesn't mean they are hungry.
iii. Not cycling the tank before sticking the fish in.

3. Find a really good shop. Pets @ Home and those general pet shop type of shops don't specialise so in my experience you end up getting sick fish, poor advice and poor service. My specialist fish shop is great. I tell them tank size, what I have in there already and they recommend. They also test the tank water for me before each purchase to make sure its OK. Although you haven't given enough info about your previous tank it does sound like the shop has sold you more equipment you don't really need.

If I were you I wouldn't think about getting new fish for at least 2 weeks.


I have a similar size tank to you. My tank was set-up for 2 weeks before adding Tetra, 4 weeks before adding guppies and 5 weeks before adding a pair of Dwarf Gourami.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Please look into fishless cycling. Its much easier than people think and has many benefits:

1. Doesn't poison all the initial fish you have with high levels of ammonia and nitrite like a fishy cycle does.
2. Does not require water changes every other day like a cycle with fish does.
3. Only takes around 4-6 weeks to complete (2weeks if you can get hold of media from a mature tank) unlike a fishy cycle which takes months to reach a fully stocked tank.
4. When your fishless cycle finishes you can FULLY STOCK your tank instantly.

At least consider it

 

[rdd1952]

the two shops in my area that i use wont sell me fish unless i take water in to get it checked.

Which is pretty useless, if the tank isn't cycled you're likely to be taking in a sample of tap water, and if that contained ammonia or nitrite I'd be pretty worried.

Agreed. I could take plain tap water in and it would test perfectly but is useless for fish. They have no way of knowing whether a tank is cycled or not simply by testing a water sample unless they also ask a lot of questions.