New Cardinal Tetra Injured

[jiffy]

I just got home from the LFS with 6 cardinal tetras. Now that they are in my tank I notice that one of them is injured. It looks like his tail. He mostly just floats there and only swims when another fish chases him and if he gets over near the filter (HOB) he just bobbs down into the tank with the flow of the water.

Im new to fishkeeping and dont know how things work with LFS's. I know some offer guarentees if they die within X amount of time. I believe the shop I went to has a 3 day guarentee.

I am hesitant to go back for a refund because it will probably cost me as much in gas as it would to just buy a new one if he dies. I would much rather he doesn't die though. What can be done to help him?

 

[jiffy]

Things just got worse. He is now bobbing everywhere. He just lays on the bottom or on a plant...wherever he lands. Sometimes he rolls upside down, but he always starts swimming as soon as that happens. He still swims away from other fish that are chasing him though.

 

[Incitic]

Pics, descriptions ect. are needed. Could be fin rot.

 

[jiffy]

To late. He died. I tried taking some pics, but they didnt come out clear enough. When he was alive his tail was curved to one side more than the other, it looked like he was having a hard time swimming.

Well, I still have 5 cardinal tetras left. Hopefully they do good in the tank. All the rest look healthy in my uneducated opinion.

 

[tstenback]

The LFS should replace the fish for you. Explain that you noticed the fish was injured while in the bag and when you released it into the tank it died shortly after that. If they are a good LFS they will give you a new fish. Good Luck

P.S. thought you were getting neons

 

[jiffy]

Although I would like another cardinal, I had figured that the cost of buying another one the next time I went there would be just about the same as the gas it would cost me (and the time) to drive there just to get a replacement, so last night was garbage night and I threw it out.

Wouldn't you normally have to bring the fish back to get the refund?

And as far as getting the cardinals instead of the neons. Well, when I got there I considered getting the small tetras because they were 3 for $1 and the large ones were $.99 but I asked how quickly they would grow because I have dainos now and are planning on changing them for a dwarf gourami. They said they would pobably get picked on alot being so small still.

Then I saw the cardinal tetras for $1.49. I debated which I liked better for a while (and I had my little sister with me who helped make the decision). I liked the look of the cardinals a little more and I recall that they are immune to neon tetra disease, so I felt they would be a little better match for me.

 

[tstenback]

I was just kidding about the neons. Cardinals for 1.49 I cant even get them here and they are one of my favorite fish and if they come in you need a magnifying glass to see them (or at least i do ) and they are 3.49 each Tell you rlittle sister she has great taste in fish

P.S. i am at the LFS often enough that i just say that the fish didnt make it through the night and he says go net yourself another( i always insist on doing this so that i can minimize net damage and besides while im doing that he can serve others).

 

[jiffy]

Actually I had heard how expensive the cardinals were and that is what had initially turned me off to them. They are very sharp looking fish, I love how they look in my tank. Next time I go in I will definitly buy a replacement for the one that died yesterday.

I haven't been to this shop to many times yet so I doubt anyone will recognize me right now, but mabey once I am more into the hobby I can have the same luck you have at your shop.