Just Bought Some Neon Tetra From Petsmart And There Floating Upside Do

[mrvillicus]

I just bought 4 neon tetra and a siamese fighter and some columbian tetra from petsmart, every other fish is fine apart from ALL of the neon tetra from the store, they cant swim properly, theyre floating upside down or at a 90degree angle, any ideas im realllly worried

 

[Aqua Tom]

I just bought 4 neon tetra and a siamese fighter and some columbian tetra from petsmart, every other fish is fine apart from ALL of the neon tetra from the store, they cant swim properly, theyre floating upside down or at a 90degree angle, any ideas im realllly worried

Neons are notoriously difficult to keep in a new tank. How long has yours been set up?




Tom

 

[mrvillicus]

its been setup for ages, i picked it up from a friend about 3 weeks ago but what I dont understand is the neons brought from a different shop this morning are fine...

 

[CezzaXV]

3 weeks is not consider a mature tank. 6 months is borderline mature.

It could be that you just got a bad batch. Chain stores aren't known for their fish care.

Did you cycle your tank before putting fish in it?

 

[mrvillicus]

I havent cycled the tank no but ive introduced many other fish to teh tank and there fine, when I say I bought the tank 3 weeks ago that was everyhting included even the water was still in it, i have cycled the water a few times since though

 

[CezzaXV]

I highly recommend you invest in a test kit. You do not "cycle" water so I highly advise you read up on cycling as it may be this which is causing the trouble with your fish.

 

[mrvillicus]

got a test kit on the way and I will research on cycling, 3 of them are dead so ill go and get a refund tomorrow, i hope they havent infected my tank now!

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Don't mention the whole cycling issue to them, they'll say it's your fault for not doing your homework and might refuse you your store credit/refund.

 

[mrvillicus]

no I wont, all four have died now how can my other fish of survived if I havent cycled my tank since I picked it up?

 

[CezzaXV]

Some fish are more sensitive to bad water conditions than others. That's not to say that because they haven't died they're not suffering.

Until your test kit arrives I'd recommend doing daily 90% water changes (leave just enough water for your fish to swim upright). You need to keep ammonia and nitrite below 0.25ppm at all times during a cycle, and at 0 in a cycled tank. I'm guessing at the rate your fish are dying off at least the ammonia will be way above that. For the moment it's probably best to assume it is and do the water changes until your test kit arrives.

 

[mrvillicus]

ok will do, thanks for your help cezzaxv

 

[OldMan47]

If you want to keep neons, go back to the place that sold you healthy ones. Many of the big box shops do not provide the best of care so they lose lots of fish. I prefer a mom and pop shop myself, although most of my fish come from fellow hobbyists.

 

[Dazzler666]

Agree with the advice you been given & do massive water changes until your test kit arrives. I also fell fiowl with Brons as I thought with them being so popular they must be easy to keep .... Wrong. All was ol till I swapped them into a new tank then they all died!!! Hence, big lesson learnt about cycling!!!!
Hope you get it sorted.