Anyone have any thoughts on why my tiger barbs keep dying?

[Byron]

So do you think if I do a 75 percent water change, get the info from the store, and check back in, that would be a good start? I am Definitely not getting anymore poor fish until this is “resolved”... is there any specific conditioner/primer that is better than another?

Yes.

When ever I see signs of trouble involving respiration, be it increased rate (with experience one gets to spot this quite easily, and recognize if it is normal or abnormal), near or hanging at the surface, gasping, or just lethargy, I immediately do a substantial water change. This almost always improves the fishes' behaviours, and sometimes even seems to solve the problem. While the tank is draining, do whatever tests you can [I know this has already been done, I am just summarizing first responses]. If there are clear signs of "x" then consider the best and safest treatment for "x" but if it is not clear what the issue actually is, better to do nothing but the W/C and observe.

 

[utahfish]

On the strips. Which I have used the API and another brand, it is in the lowest bracket, which is barely pink, almost white, and that says “0” the next one up on the strip is “20” but it did not get that color so it’s below 20 Ppm possibly 0

If your nitrates are zero then your tank isnt cycled which is why i asked. Test strips arent always reliable either but uncycled tank would be my first guess.

 

[Byron]

This is where having the exact test numbers from the store's test for comparison would benefit. Are there live plants in this tank?

 

[kribensis12]

This is where having the exact test numbers from the store's test for comparison would benefit. Are there live plants in this tank?

OP states that there is just a plastic plant.

From what I can ascertain, it definitely appears to be a water quality issue, not a disease.

I would for sure ask them to test your water again and have you write down the numbers - or better yet, buy a liquid test kit (eh, $20 with coupon at Petsmart). In situations like this, where you still have a live fish, I would typically recommend that you ask someone you trust (if you know anyone with an aquarium) for some gravel, or a piece of their filter, to place in your tank to ensure that you aquarium is cycled. By doing this, you can guarantee (more or less) that your tank is cycled and that the issue may be stemming elsewhere.

Regardless of the outcome, I hope that something is learned and that in the future you and really learn to enjoy the hobby!

 

[AJRenee]

They all died..

and I still don’t know what’s wrong other than assume it was some type of shock from water being different thanthe store they came from

 

[JuiceBox52]

Oh no

 

[AJRenee]

This is where having the exact test numbers from the store's test for comparison would benefit. Are there live plants in this tank?

No I do not have live plants, I bought a live fern to tie to the driftwood but never got around to it before this started happening. And yes I am going to get their exact parameters but I also want to get the parameters of the water the fish came from... they have all passed away I also am wondering if I should juat
Change 75% of the water in case it has too many chemicals in it? I mean, I put the dosages the instructions say, but Im
Just paranoid now !

 

[JuiceBox52]

No I do not have live plants, I bought a live fern to tie to the driftwood but never got around to it before this started happening. And yes I am going to get their exact parameters but I also want to get the parameters of the water the fish came from... they have all passed away I also am wondering if I should juat
Change 75% of the water in case it has too many chemicals in it? I mean, I put the dosages the instructions say, but Im
Just paranoid now !

I would say to Do a 100% water change before adding new fish, just in case

 

[Byron]

I would go one further, and drain the tank, take the substrate out and wash it under the tap (i.e., in chlorinated water), and the same with the filter and any decor items.

 

[AJRenee]

I would say to Do a 100% water change before adding new fish, just in case

I think so too... does that mean I should probably wait another several weeks also?

 

[AJRenee]

I think so too... does that mean I should probably wait another several weeks also?

(Before adding fish after water change)

 

[JuiceBox52]

(Before adding fish after water change)

You would need to cycle the tank again, yes

 

[Retired Viking]

If you are basically sterilizing the tank and killing all the bacteria good and bad you are like @JuiceBox52 said starting over and cycling your tank.

 

[Retired Viking]

You have several types of cycling you can do.
1 old fashion fish in tank cycling
2 Ammonia or fish food added to start cycling
3 Tetra SafeStrat Plus jump start cycling
4 Silent/Planted cycle
5 Add bacteria from a cycled tank from its filter media, gravel ect.