My tetras are dying

[jkun17]

I don't quite understand why this is happening...

Ok, if some of you have read my other posts you know that for whatever reason I wound up with 12 new tetras. I bought 6 neons and my mother accidentally got me another 6 glow-lites. I've put them all into the same tank and intend to return the glow-lites tomorrow -- but two of my neons have died.

I just got these today neons today and now two are dead. I don't understand why...

The tank was cycled and I've had three guppies living in there and I just introduced these tetras not even 8 hours ago and two have already passed away. I'm worried that it might be a disease in my tank but as of right now, I'm just assuming it was bad luck and I'll be watching my tank for another few hours before I go to bed.

The fish look just as normal as they did when I bought them, but I did notice something interesting.

The I saw the second fish that died just before it died. It was swimming on its side. I saw one of the tetras doing that when I was buying them but I assumed that the clerk would have made sure I didn't get that one... I guess not.

The fish look normal, they don't appear bloated or any more discolored than my other ones, but the one that did catch my attention was swimming on its side. Could someone help me?

 

[jkun17]

This is just a hunch, but could it be swim bladder disease?

Is there anyway that can tell? I'm worried for my other fish; but only two of my newer ones have died so far so I'm assuming it couldn't have been something in my tank becuase it couldn't possibly have contracted that fast, could it?

 

[Porthious the Gourami]

It sounds to me like your fish has New Tank Syndrome. I think that is a condition where the fish is too stressed because of differences in water pH and water hardness, temperature, etc. In addition, it seems like the fish salesperson sold you a dud and in my experience this has been done on purpose. Some fish shop operators are very careless when handling fish and this can stress fish so you get them with a reduced imune system and this doesn't help.

Anyway, what I would do is add 1 teaspoon of salt per litre of tank water to your tank as this aids in combatting stress and replaces some of the lost natual salts in the natural environment.

Make sure your fish have plenty of plants (plastic or real) so that they can hide and feel less threatened by the new environment. I hope this has been helpful.

 

[jkun17]

thanks for the help
I think you may just be right

I'll check my tank again in the morning. Hopefully there won't be any more dead ones. If not, then I'll assume the best and just get those two neons replaced. Hopefully my next two won't die as quickly.

 

[jkun17]

2 more of my neon's died today and I noticed one that looked like it had ich (I put in a bowl and it died half an hour later).

However, none of hte glo-lites have died. But I don't like the glo-lites and I still intend to put 5 more tetras to replace the 5 that are KIA. I'm going to do a 50% water change to make sure that nothings wrong and if any more fish die I'm going to need some more advice; I'm really really worried.

 

[jkun17]

Oh GOD.

I just got back from class today and now my male guppy is now dead.

I really don't know what's wrong. My fish have been dying ever since I introduced those neon-tetras and I don't know what I can do to save my fish. Please help.

 

[jkun17]

I've been doing 50% water changes for the past two days in hopes that it might help. How will I know if everythings ok again?

 

[jsa500]

It sounds to me like your fish has New Tank Syndrome. I think that is a condition where the fish is too stressed because of differences in water pH and water hardness, temperature, etc.

What you're talking about is chemical shock. If you move a fish to water that is too different in chemistry than what the fish is used to, its organs can pack in then obviously it dies.

New Tank Syndrome is a condition where ammonia and nitrite are still present in the water because the tank hasn't been left long enough to cycle properly.

For every fish that is added it takes time for enough nitrifying bacteria to multiply and consume the increased amount of ammonia that is being produced. The more fish you add at once, the higher the ammonia level will be, and the longer it will take the nitrifying bacteria to "catch up"

 

[jkun17]

Thank you!!

I finally have an answer. At least I now have a better idea of what to do.

Are the frequent water changes helping though?

 

[jsa500]

Hi,

The water changes will help to reduce the amount of ammonia and nitrite in your water but don't change too much water too frequently. This can also have the same effect as adding too many fish at once.

Do you have test kits? How are your ammonia and nitrite levels?

 

[jkun17]

I do. But I can't seem to find them.

Is there any other way I can guage those levels without the tests? I'll buy more tomorrow just in case. I never thought I could be this careless; I'm sorry.

 

[jsa500]

Sorry, I don't know any other way you could measure them

 

[jkun17]

So far nothing else has died (I'll take that as a good sign)

I did measurements on my tank:

pH 7.0
Ammonia is near 0
Nitrite is at 0.8 mg/l (It was at around 1.6 but I did a 50% water change immediately)

 

[jsa500]

Just had a thought. If you reduce feeding then your ammonia and nitrite levels should come down faster. Try reducing to once every other day