Fish not eating/low energy after moving tank (please help)

[triivk]

I have a Chinese algae eater (probably 3 inches in length) and I recently moved him from an old, neglected tank, to a new tank. I finally grasped the motivation to do something about his poor state. He moved from a 34lt to a 57lt (I know it's still not big enough, but I have to start somewhere.) The PH is at maybe 7.6, with 0 ammonia levels and 0 nitrate levels (from the tests I've done). Prior to moving him in, I treated the water, got it to a nice temp of 24.8 - got him lots of new plants and hiding spots, and because the tank is temporarily in a busy spot in my house, I put a towel over the sides of glass that would see too much movement, even an air stone in an attempt to give more aeration and movement.

When I began acclimating him, or whatever the process is called, he was very distressed. I let the water in the bag get to the right temp, and then I began scooping a half cup of new tank water into the bag every 4 minutes, after it was full, I tipped out half and started again, but just as I went to tip out half a second time, he jumped from the bag and fell maybe a metre drop. I scooped him up with wet hands and put him back in the bag, in which he tried to jump out of several times. In a panic, I put him in the new tank to stop him from jumping out again.

Since then, he's very hesitant to explore and sitting still a lot of the time. He won't eat, despite latching onto and 'cleaning' the tank, even though there is no algae yet. I've given him algae pellets, and even bloodworms for the first time in his life. I will keep checking on him, but is he too stressed? How do I help? I just need any advice at all. Thank you.

 

[Sgooosh]

I have a Chinese algae eater (probably 3 inches in length) and I recently moved him from an old, neglected tank, to a new tank. I finally grasped the motivation to do something about his poor state. He moved from a 34lt to a 57lt (I know it's still not big enough, but I have to start somewhere.) The PH is at maybe 7.6, with 0 ammonia levels and 0 nitrate levels (from the tests I've done). Prior to moving him in, I treated the water, got it to a nice temp of 24.8 - got him lots of new plants and hiding spots, and because the tank is temporarily in a busy spot in my house, I put a towel over the sides of glass that would see too much movement, even an air stone in an attempt to give more aeration and movement.

When I began acclimating him, or whatever the process is called, he was very distressed. I let the water in the bag get to the right temp, and then I began scooping a half cup of new tank water into the bag every 4 minutes, after it was full, I tipped out half and started again, but just as I went to tip out half a second time, he jumped from the bag and fell maybe a metre drop. I scooped him up with wet hands and put him back in the bag, in which he tried to jump out of several times. In a panic, I put him in the new tank to stop him from jumping out again.

Since then, he's very hesitant to explore and sitting still a lot of the time. He won't eat, despite latching onto and 'cleaning' the tank, even though there is no algae yet. I've given him algae pellets, and even bloodworms for the first time in his life. I will keep checking on him, but is he too stressed? How do I help? I just need any advice at all. Thank you.

nitrites? maybe you are being too harsh on him? is it only one or are there more, from my experience they school

 

[triivk]

nitrites? maybe you are being too harsh on him? is it only one or are there more, from my experience they school

I only have one right now, I've heard they're pretty aggressive fish if not fed the right protein, so he's alone at the moment. This is the tank setup, I've spent all the money I had saved to get him into a better home so I'm praying he makes it.

 

[Sgooosh]

I only have one right now, I've heard they're pretty aggressive fish if not fed the right protein, so he's alone at the moment. This is the tank setup, I've spent all the money I had saved to get him into a better home so I'm praying he makes it.

he looks kind of sad, maybe you should get the right "protein?" he is probably stressed, thats all but they do like groups and should be kept in a group

 

[triivk]

he looks kind of sad, maybe you should get the right "protein?" he is probably stressed, thats all but they do like groups and should be kept in a group

Do you know any type of fish that would go well with him? I hope he cheers up soon, I don't know what more I can immediately do for him.

 

[triivk]

I have a Chinese algae eater (probably 3 inches in length) and I recently moved him from an old, neglected tank, to a new tank. I finally grasped the motivation to do something about his poor state. He moved from a 34lt to a 57lt (I know it's still not big enough, but I have to start somewhere.) The PH is at maybe 7.6, with 0 ammonia levels and 0 nitrate levels (from the tests I've done). Prior to moving him in, I treated the water, got it to a nice temp of 24.8 - got him lots of new plants and hiding spots, and because the tank is temporarily in a busy spot in my house, I put a towel over the sides of glass that would see too much movement, even an air stone in an attempt to give more aeration and movement.

When I began acclimating him, or whatever the process is called, he was very distressed. I let the water in the bag get to the right temp, and then I began scooping a half cup of new tank water into the bag every 4 minutes, after it was full, I tipped out half and started again, but just as I went to tip out half a second time, he jumped from the bag and fell maybe a metre drop. I scooped him up with wet hands and put him back in the bag, in which he tried to jump out of several times. In a panic, I put him in the new tank to stop him from jumping out again.

Since then, he's very hesitant to explore and sitting still a lot of the time. He won't eat, despite latching onto and 'cleaning' the tank, even though there is no algae yet. I've given him algae pellets, and even bloodworms for the first time in his life. I will keep checking on him, but is he too stressed? How do I help? I just need any advice at all. Thank you.

He also doesn't sit flat on the ground sometimes? It doesn't seem like a huge issue but he will often sit on a sort of angle without touching the ground.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

How long has he been in the new tank for?

He has been through a lot, between moving tanks, finding himself in a new territory, and the dramatic fall would have all had him very stressed, and it's possible that he was hurt in the fall as well.

Fish can go a surprisingly long time without food, so try not to panic. He'll need time to calm down and to settle into a new environment, and stressed fish don't want to eat.

For now, monitor the water quality, and please don't add any more fish. No room in the tank for more algae eaters, and he's likely to be aggressive to anything else you add.

 

[triivk]

How long has he been in the new tank for?

He has been through a lot, between moving tanks, finding himself in a new territory, and the dramatic fall would have all had him very stressed, and it's possible that he was hurt in the fall as well.

Fish can go a surprisingly long time without food, so try not to panic. He'll need time to calm down and to settle into a new environment, and stressed fish don't want to eat.

For now, monitor the water quality, and please don't add any more fish. No room in the tank for more algae eaters, and he's likely to be aggressive to anything else you add.

Thank you so so much for this reply, it's definitely reassuring. He's only been in this new tank for a day and a half. I'll definitely be leaving him alone in his tank for a long while, I don't think I have enough space for any other fish. Is it bad to put food in the tank anyways? Or should I just leave the tank undisturbed besides testing the water?

 

[itiwhetu]

Did the other tank have that white base in it. It may be the new gravel, these guys like to try and hide that base maybe making him feel uneasy.

 

[triivk]

Did the other tank have that white base in it. It may be the new gravel, these guys like to try and hide that base maybe making him feel uneasy.

That could be something, should I get a darker base/more natural gravel? He is laying on an angle, and whenever he is moved or moves spot he actively makes sure he's going back to that position - the ammonia levels and the nitrate test thing I did both said that it was at 0, I'm so lost.

 

[itiwhetu]

I believe that will be it, these guys love a dark base and plenty of caves to hide in if they get startled or scared for some reason

 

[triivk]

I believe that will be it, these guys love a dark base and plenty of caves to hide in if they get startled or scared for some reason

Perfect thank you! I'll work on saving to get him something darker.

 

[itiwhetu]

Perfect thank you! I'll work on saving to get him something darker.

You can just put a thin layer over the base that is there to darken it

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Thank you so so much for this reply, it's definitely reassuring. He's only been in this new tank for a day and a half. I'll definitely be leaving him alone in his tank for a long while, I don't think I have enough space for any other fish. Is it bad to put food in the tank anyways? Or should I just leave the tank undisturbed besides testing the water?

Give him a couple of days without adding food... uneaten food will rot in the tank and will produce ammonia, which would make things much worse.

Keep the lights very dim, that'll allow him to rest and recover and get used to his new environment, dim lights are more relaxing for fish. After a couple of days, try him with food again. If he still won't eat, get some more photos or a video of him, and come and let us know.

For a cheaper alternative to replacing the substrate for now, look for some fish safe leaf litter you can add. Indian Almond leaves are great, but they will release tannins into the water, so don't be alarmed by that. Tannins aren't harmful, they're actually really beneficial for most fish, they just make the water a clear tea colour.
Oak leaves can be scavenged and are safe to use, provided they fell from the tree naturally in Autumn, are dried out, and haven't been contaminated with any pesticides. @Colin_T may know of leaves that could be found in Australia and used in aquariums

But, I got a pack of 50 Indian Almond leaves on Amazon for about a tenner recently, so it's still cheaper than replacing the substrate, will give him some hiding spots, and reduce that bright white glare if you scatter them in the tank.

 

[triivk]

Give him a couple of days without adding food... uneaten food will rot in the tank and will produce ammonia, which would make things much worse.

Keep the lights very dim, that'll allow him to rest and recover and get used to his new environment, dim lights are more relaxing for fish. After a couple of days, try him with food again. If he still won't eat, get some more photos or a video of him, and come and let us know.

For a cheaper alternative to replacing the substrate for now, look for some fish safe leaf litter you can add. Indian Almond leaves are great, but they will release tannins into the water, so don't be alarmed by that. Tannins aren't harmful, they're actually really beneficial for most fish, they just make the water a clear tea colour.
Oak leaves can be scavenged and are safe to use, provided they fell from the tree naturally in Autumn, are dried out, and haven't been contaminated with any pesticides. @Colin_T may know of leaves that could be found in Australia and used in aquariums

But, I got a pack of 50 Indian Almond leaves on Amazon for about a tenner recently, so it's still cheaper than replacing the substrate, will give him some hiding spots, and reduce that bright white glare if you scatter them in the tank.

Thank you so much! I'll definitely look into that, unfortunately I've just found out that I'll be away from home for the next 6 days, and will have the house tended to by pet/house sitters. Is changing the ground an urgent matter? I am concerned still about the way he's sitting on an odd angle, it's all so much to worry about! Thank you so much, though, for all your help. I'm going to tell the petsitters to feed him in maybe 2-3 days? Just with some bloodworms and algae pellets.