*resolved* Is Something Wrong?

[bettakevin]

I have 4 Tiger Barbs 1 Golden Algae Eater. The problem I am having is the Tiger barbs are all staying huddled in one corner or they are only swimming on the bottom. They also won't eat their food! My algae eater seems to be doing fine but he wont eat the algae wafers I am putting in the tank. I will attach some pictures. Here is a VIDEO

Tank size: 20gal
Temp: 78 F
Filter: Canister Bio/Carbon 135 GPH

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

How long was it since you introduced the tiger barbs ?

 

[SBL]

You need more tiger barbs,need to be in a school of atleast 8

 

[bettakevin]

All the fish were put in the tank about 34 hours ago

You need more tiger barbs,need to be in a school of atleast 8

Can I have 8 in a 20 gal? How many fish can I have in a 20 gal?

 

[SBL]

it probaly stress, how did you introduce them into the tank?
You could have a school of 8 in there, but thats about it other than a Bristlenose Pleco and ur Algae eater. Tiger barbs are very active fish

 

[bettakevin]

it probaly stress, how did you introduce them into the tank?
You could have a school of 8 in there, but thats about it other than a Bristlenose Pleco and ur Algae eater. Tiger barbs are very active fish

I let their bag float for a few hours then I dumped them in

 

[SBL]

that is the problem, your not acclimatizing correctly, they need to slowly have your water and their water mixed, and then pour some out in a bucket to dispose of and then repeat filling it with your water slowly. this evens out the Ph, and hardness so it not suddenly going from like 7 to 6.5. Stresses the fish greatly. and Don't let the stores water get into your tank, it might have bad things in it your fishtank's environment can't handle. I'll let a experienced hobbyist explain how it all works.

 

[bettakevin]

that is the problem, your not acclimatizing correctly, they need to slowly have your water and their water mixed, and then pour some out in a bucket to dispose of and then repeat filling it with your water slowly. this evens out the Ph, and hardness so it not suddenly going from like 7 to 6.5. Stresses the fish greatly. and Don't let the stores water get into your tank, it might have bad things in it your fishtank's environment can't handle. I'll let a experienced hobbyist explain how it all works.

Thank you that makes a lot more sense on why they might be stressed. I appreciate your input.

 

[SBL]

just watch them, they will probably pull through bc they are very hardy fish, but remember to acclimatize more than just the temperature next time.

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

Before you add in more tiger barbs id reccommend a water test, if you went from 1 fish to having five all of a sudden you may get an amonia or nitrite spike, its quite common and will stress your fish out. If all is good in the water test i'd leave it atleast a week and then introduce another 4-5 barbs to the tank, that will be fine in 20gs

Also, if they're not eating dont feed them for a day or two, the uneated food will only increase the ammonia!

 

[soybean]

Did you cycle the tank before adding them?

 

[synodontismultipunctatus]

Thats a good point...

 

[fluttermoth]

You could do with some kind of backing in the tank. Most aquarium fish, in the wild, stay near the banks, so your tank is too exposed and making them feel vulnerable.

I'd back up the other posters comments about cycling, and letting them settle in too; this is very important.

To aclimatize fish, pop the bag in your tank, cut the top off and roll the top down so the bag floats; you can tuck it under the hood of drip tray to stop it floating around. After 10 or 15 minutes, pour a little (about half a cup) of your tank water into the bag. Do that every 10 minutes for an hour, then tilt or sink the bag and let the fish swim out.

Don't bother worrying about the shop's water getting in your tank; you can't remove the fish from the bag and dry it off, so some shop water will inevitabley be going in your tank anyway.

Your filter, if it's cycled properly, will deal with any ammonia, anything else will be so diluted it won't make much difference, and any parasites will be present on the fish as well as in the water.

 

[bettakevin]

I cycled the tank for 4 1/2 days before putting the fish in. I will add a background and do a water check soon.

 

[soybean]

Tanks don't cycle in 4 and a half days. It isn't cycled and you need to read up on it. Start it in new freshwater tank section and read the beginners resource centre. A quick search on the whole forum will bring up dozens of threads on cycling.

If you don't have a liquid dropper test kit already, you're going to need one, and will have to do a LOT of large water changes over the next few weeks.