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rummy nose tetras dropping like flies

5K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  MikeG14 
#1 ·
Hi all! I need some help stopping the rummy nose tetra carnage. I have a 40gal breeder with 1 dwarf gourami, 9 serpae tetras.
Two months ago, I added 10 rummy noses. I acclimated them very slowly and was told that the shop used Chicago tap water (treated) as well, and therefore assumed they'd do ok in my tank.

The following morning, two were dead. A third died two days later. I went back to the shop for replacements but found that his tank of rummies had 4 or five dead fish in it, so I passed. Two more have died in the two months since then.

Currently I have three that have bright red faces and are zippy and healthy looking. Two have pale faces and hide in the corners.

My water parameters:
amm - 0
nitri- 0
nitra -0
pH 8 (chicago water)
moderately hard.

Any suggestions? I feel bad for the little guys.
 
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#2 ·
Rummies can be really tough. They prefer more acidic water and a lower PH. They also do better than most tetras at higher temperatures in the 80-82° degree range. I've had them in my main tank (40 breeder) going on two years now. When buying new rummies you need to expect some losses. I purchased 5 last week with the intent on getting my school up to 20 but lost one within 48 hours and soon after that they came down with ich. Fortunately, I quarantine everything so treating them doesn't put any fish in the main tank at risk. Rummies are very susceptible to ich for some reason but respond really well to a heat treatment. The largest female of the new group also came down with an eye infection that I am treating with antibiotics. These fish are super delicate and can be a handful!

In your case I would try to lower your PH naturally. Adding driftwood is a really good approach, my tanks are full of it. You could also try peat filtration or mixing some RO water in with your Chicago tap water. I feel if you can get your PH in the 7.2-7.4 range you might be a bit more successful. Try not to change it drastically a stable PH is sometimes more important than the perfect PH. But in the case on Rummynose tetras it needs to be at lot lower the 8.0.

Rummies are excellent schoolers and active swimmers but like their quite time as well. Having planted areas of the tanks where they can chill out will help to bring down stress.

I love the breed, they are my favorite tetra but they might not be for everyone. Bloodfin tetras have a similar look and are bulletproof and could be a good alternative if things ultimately don't work out with the rummies.

Good luck!
 
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