Tetra's. Neon And Something Else

[Bev77]

Hi all,

First of all, I have just purchased 3 new tetras. Well, they guy at the shop said they were tetra's, but I'm not so sure. I can't remember what they were called, and having searched for them, can't find them anywhere, so just wondered if anyone knows what they are? They are red all over and have black fins, with the bottom ones have a slight white tip to them.
Sorry for the blurriness of the pics - the fish wouldn't keep still and smile for the camera! :smile:

Secondly, I had trouble with my neon tetras. I kept losing them and didn't know how. I never saw any dead ones, so just assumed they were getting eaten or something. I have never had more than 5 at a time as whenever I get anymore, the 'older' ones seem to disappear. I usually buy them in batches of 5, but only ever seem to have 3. However I bit the bullet and bought 5 more on saturday. When it came time for my tank clean on sunday, there were only 5 again. I did a total clean, and 50% water change and cleaned the filter and changed the media as well. Guess what I found in the filter? 3 dead neon tetras!

I have an Elite Stingray, and as far as I can see there is no way that they could have been sucked up into it. The only thing I can think of is that at the back there is a couple of little holes to put your fingers in to remove the electric box, that they swam in through there, got stuck and couldn't get out.

I'd like to get a large group of neon tetras as I think they look best when they are all together, but as I said, I've never been able to keep more than 5 at any one time.

Any ideas?
Bev

 

[fishncan]

Hard to tell from the pics, but I'd say they may be serpaes. If so, they are notorious fin-nippers.

 

[Mikaila31]

They look like serpae tetras to me too.

About the dead neons. How old is the tank? You said you changed the filter media, this is normally a bad thing to do as it contains bacteria that remove the ammonia the fish produce. How much of it did you change? Also do you have a water test kit or do you know any of your water stats?

I also suggest reading the pinned topics about cycling.

 

[ALEXF]

i would say that they are serpae tetras as well.

 

[Bev77]

They look like serpae tetras to me too.

About the dead neons. How old is the tank? You said you changed the filter media, this is normally a bad thing to do as it contains bacteria that remove the ammonia the fish produce. How much of it did you change? Also do you have a water test kit or do you know any of your water stats?

I also suggest reading the pinned topics about cycling.

The tank itself we've only had for about a month, but we upgraded from a 2ft to a 4ft tank. We used the majority of the water from the 2ft so it was more like a 50% water change for the fish.

I didn't say I changed the filter media, I said I cleaned it all out and I cleaned it in the old aquarium water, so as not to disturb the bacteria.

My water stats are all normal. pH>7.0, Ammonia>0.1, Nitrate>0

I don't think my tank needs cycling. I may be a newbie, but I do know some things.


Thanks AlexF and fishncan,

I'm hoping to get back to my lfs tomorrow, so will check out if they still have them, and will let you all know!

 

[geer head]

You have nothing else in your tank than the two types of tetras?

I've had fish go missing before (very small ones) when I had snails. Then one day I found out that snails will eat dead fish. If you haven't done so already, check to see if any jumped ship (if possible), check in all the decorations, etc. If you don't find a dead body anywhere, they are most likely getting eaten... I don't know how long they take to 'decompose,' but I know when my platy died it's body was still in really good shape when I took it out the next day.

 

[Mikaila31]

Well, you do have some ammonia. A properly cycled tank should have none. Neons are sensitive fish, the ammonia could be whats making them die even if it is really low. I would hold off on getting any more fish until the ammonia goes down. If you want fish that look like neons I suggest cardinal tetras. They tend to cost a little more than neons, but they are a little hardier and aren't as prone to disease.

 

[Bev77]

I don't think they died then got sucked into the filter. I think they swam into it, through 2 finger holes at the back, and got stuck and couldn't get out.

They were still perfectly formed, around the filter media housing, just laying there.

I think they are just too inquisitive.

I'm not sure about cardinals, I know there isn't much difference, but I really do prefer neon's. I guess it's just a matter of personal choice/taste.

I hope the new ones are not serpae tetras, especially as I have just noticed that one of my male guppies, which has a beautiful blue fan tail, has half his tail missing!

I guess my lfs wouldn't accept returns if my fish were incompatible?

 

[Mikaila31]

I guess my lfs wouldn't accept returns if my fish were incompatible?

Some do some don't. Some will only take the fish back for free or for credit. Some won't even take a fish for free(I hate those shops).