Need help!

FishKid91

I have a problem. I have lost two fish in the past 3 days. Both were the same type of fish ( micky mouse fish.) I have a water heater and it's set to 76F. I had them in a 20gal tank with a Molly 5 Zebra fish and 3 Tetras. Before the first one died I noticed that it was over by the heater and slowed down and didn't move a lot. The same happend with the other one. Could I be over feeding them or not feeding them enough? The zebra fish seem like they are always hungry. When ever I go to the tank they always hit the top of the water looking for food and I do feed them quiet a bit. Could I not be feeding them enough? Is the water to hold/cold? I'm going to get a thermomiter. All the other fish seem fine and swin around and seem happy. I'd like to get a few more fish sinse the zebra fish are so small the tank still has room. But I don't want to get more if something is wrong with the tank and killing my fish. What could be the problem?

FishKid91

Another thing, could leaving the light on all the time have anything do with it? It's a soft blueish glow from the light.

SolaceTiger

I usually only leave my light on about 10-12 hours a day. When it's lights out, my fish just kinda retreat to their own special spot and rest. And you should definitely get a thermometer, that's a must. It's better to not over feed them, even if they come up looking for food... when you do feed them, make sure everyone is getting some. I have 2 little piggies in my tank. How long has your tank been running? Did you let it cycle first? Do you quarantine your new fish before adding them to your main tank? And, you should also get a test kit... API freshwater master test kit is a good one. And... how often do you change water in your tank?

SolaceTiger

Also, I would avoid adding any more fish right now.. you sound like you have quite a bit as it is and you gotta add in to the factor that fish do grow. Make sure your water is stable first and you pinpoint hte problem, otherwise it will just be a waste of money.

FishKid91

I planned on waiting a week or two and see how things are going.

FishKid91

Ok then I will shut the light off when I go to sleep and turn it back on when I wake up. I'm waiting for them to get them in as the last one I had broke when I was trying to put it on (glass one) and they haven't gotten them back in. It's been up for about a week or so now. I didn't let it cycle as I didn't know about that. I've had fish in the past (gold fish lol and a few sword tails but the sword tails jumped out.) How can I quarantine the new fish? I only have two tanks (the 20gal and a 30gal for my turtles.) How much would a test kit be and what is it used for? I haven't changed it yet due to it being new. But how often should I change the water?

SolaceTiger

The norm is about once a week, 20 percent of water. Do you have a syphon? It's best to have a quarantine tank taht closely matches yuor waters parameters, and put the new fish in there for a couple weeks to make sure they're healthy. that way if they ever get sick, your other fish in your main tank won't catch it, hopefully not anyway.

Here's a link about the testing kit. Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit Drsfostersmith is an awesome site, and excellent customer service in my opinion. You can also surely find the kit in your local fish store, but it will probably be cheaper if you order online.

But anyway, I think because your tank is only a week old, and you've got lots of fish already... you're bound to have some deaths happen. So hold off on buying any more fish. Instead invest your money in a test kit, thermometer like you said, and a syphon if you don't have one for water changes, and make a schedule for water changes. Perhaps also, set up a quarantine tank. Here's a link on the forums about cycling: http://www.fishforum.com/freshwater-...ium-cycle-252/

Someone else wanna jump in here and give opinions? :3

Also, look in here for lots of useful info! http://www.fishforum.com/freshwater-...nt-topics-257/

Kim

Your tank is in the process of cycling. That means that the benificial bacteria which convert ammonia (harmful) to nitrite (harmful) and finally to nitrate (fine in moderate amounts, removed during water changes). When these bacteria are not yet established, ammonia and nitrite will build up fast and be toxic to your fish. My best guess would be that the fish a)died of ammonia poisoning or b)were diseased when you bought them. What you really need is a good liquid test kit (API Master Test Kit is a good one) and to test daily for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Every time ammonia or nitrite get over .25 ppm, you will need to do at least a 25% water change. Make sure to not vaccuum the gravel too vigorously at this point, just enough to remove any excess gunk from one small portion each change. Also, make sure to dechlorinate the water that you add to the tank. I would not get any more fish until the cycle is complete as more will compound ammonia and nitrite problems, and may introduce disease while you don't have a quarantine tank.

I would also advise you to do some more in depth research on cycling a tank so that you understand it better.

Do you have a lid on this tank?

FishKid91

Thanks for the help and advice. I'm going to try my best and get the test kit. Since I don't have a job I don't really have money. The only way I can get money is taking soda cans and bottles to recycle as my parents don't pay for chores I do since they buy enough for me already lol. So as soon as I can get the money for the kit I will be sure to buy it. Is their anything I can buy from petsmart like that test kit? I can walk to petsmart to get it. I don't have a lid on the tank only a light. Would a lid be something that would help keep them healthy? For right now all the fish seem happy and healthy. The are all swimming around and getting along great.

SolaceTiger

When you do get more fish though, I'd get more black finned ones.. as they like to school... and a lid would help to keep the water from evaporating and the fish from jumping to their deaths. :P In the meantime, if you can't get a test kit just make sure you stay on top of water changes and your parameters will be most likely be fine.