strange deaths

[tropical_adam]

OK... One of my fish that has a really long name that i cant remeber (Silver whitish creature 5 or 6 pearl blue shimmers down one side. hangs about at the bottom and on glass) 1 word, 2 sylibals.. lol died recently after being in the tank since i had it (approx 7 weeks). So i replaced him called him the same name and pretended it never happened!

However last night the same creature died again along with a tetra neon. Now this may be irrelevant but both times have been when i have not stayed at home so have turned my tank light off earlier than usual. Come back in the morning and i find them floating I have had deaths in my tank, but it is fairly new anyway. I dont have a water tester kit at home but have my water tested at my lfs when i visit. last time (friday gone) before i added fish my levels were Ph 8 nitrate 0 and nitrite 0.

I have done a 50% and a 25% water change since i had these fish. My platys, dwarf gourami, silver shark, cories an tropical frogs all seem fine. But after the death of the neon last night i have noticed that 3 of them hide all day while one swims about on his own. They used to be the centre of attention. What could be wrong? I have given all the info i see relevent. if you need more info to help me then just ask.. Oh yeah the tanks 70 litres (approx 18 gallons)

Thanks in advance for any help given

 

[gadazobe]

It sounds like your tank is new and has not yet completed it's cycle - the reason that your water parameters where at 0 is because there were no fish in it (if I understand what you said correctly) Levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate only show after fish or something used instead of fish (see fishless cycle pinned at the top of beginners) are added to the tank.

How many fish do you have in the tank?

If I am correct in my assumption, then you shouldn't get any more fish until the cycle is finished and then only gradually without overcrowding the tank.

Do plenty of water changes. This will lengthen the cycle, but, hopefully, keep your fish alive.

Oh, and turning the light on or off later than usual would have nothing to do with the deaths of the fish.

 

[drbrad25]

I'm new to this fish keeping game but am gradually learning so i'll do my best to give you some advice.

I agree with gadazobe, it's most likely a cycling problem. But considering your fish have been in there for 7 weeks for some people that's enough to cycle for others it's not.

Definately not the lighting, you can basically do whatever you want with the lights (within reason) without affecting your fish.

I never trust a LFS so definately get your own test kit. I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit and it tells me everything i need to know accurately.

Your pH is reasonably high (tetras like just under neutral). I actually call tetras a high demand fish although a lot of people think of them as beginner fish.

I may get killed by other people on this board for saying this but i suggest you try and lower your pH. Everyone says it's bad but if you do it gradually enough (over a couple of days) i've had success with it. I had fish dropping left right and centre after having fish in my tank for 5 weeks and the only abnormal test result i had was a ph of about 7.8 (Nh4, NO2, etc. where all 0). I gradually lowered the ph using ph down (yes, i'm aware bisphonates promote algae growth) and then let the tank settle. The remaining fish in the tank recovered and now my tank is thriving with my platies and guppies breeding like crazy! Before you start mucking around with ph though, tell us your carbonate hardness (comes with a master test kit) because that will determine the buffering capacity of your water (don't want to add a tiny bit of pH down and have your pH fluctuate wildly causing your fish to go into shock). Also do a pH test on your water before you add it to your tank in water changes (if it's high from the tap then can use peat filtering or RO water)

Basically, just get your own test kits and monitor for a couple of days. Keep up the water changes but don't go overboard. I personally think doing them more than every 3 days is harmful especially if they are each over 30% changes. I only do 15% changes every week.

Let us know how you go.

 

[tropical_adam]

The original fish have been in there over a month now and the tank was cycled before i added my second bunch of fish. There are 13 fish and two frogs in the tank, so i don't think it is overcrowded. My lfs are a friend of my girlfriends family. they have been established over 20 years and i would say they are most trust worthy. So i have trust in their water tests they do for me.

I will keep up the regular water changes and minitor my fish closely.hoping that these deaths were just down to old age or something like that.

Thanks for the advice guys..

 

[mistrymachine]

I agree that neons are a very sensitive fish and I also have a very hard time keeping them happy My ph is also at 8.0 and I have been considering giving up the neons rather then try to mess with the ph.They hide all day and for the longest time I thought they were sick.I really love these little cuties and I am always tempted to buy more at the LFS.But I would love to see them live life to there fullest potential and not just waste away hiding behind my rock.Soooo...I guess I have to let go Also if the other fish that died were two of the same species,Is it possible that maybe they were a fish who also liked a low ph.Maybe he just couldnt take it anymore after 7 weeks.But dont rule out possible disease.Does anybody know any way to lower ph besides chems or peat??As a last attempt before saying goodbye to my neons My water has a kh and gh of7. Thanx!!!

 

[Angry_Platy]

Funny that people mention neons as being sensitive...mine are the opposite.....they always come to the front of the tank when I walk past and always try to grab food out of the platies mouth at feeding time. They also nip each others tails. I don't worry too much about the pH and the water is quite often at 29deg C (it is aerated heaps so apparently that is OK).

With the temp issue, it is summer here where I live and VERY hard to keep the tank temp down....I have fans and the door is always open and there is NO sun on the tank.....good aeration has helped though (now its like a spa, which the fish seem to like)

Angela