Im back! QT tank question and several more deaths :(

fishyinpa

So my new fish have been in QT for almost um 3 weeks now. For a reminder, it was 6 pencil fish, 4 pygmy cories, and a ghost shrimp. So I just changed their water, and at least 1 pygmy died and I *think* 1 pencil but I am not certain as they were all hiding on me. The ghost shrimp is doing fine.

In my panda cory tank, I just found another adult dead. Fairly recent,he wasnt eaten up too much by the others. The 3 babies ( I think 3 are still in there, or i could be seeing the same 2 lol and counting is as a 3rd) are doing well. Getting quite big! The one baby who died awhile back,never got very big and he was in there awhile. So I think these babies are doing better than him.

So as for my question. Should I wait another week or two before adding any new fish to the panda tank? Its a cycled 12 gallon with 4 adult pandas and 2-3 babies. I read dont add more than 2-3 at a time to cycled tanks. But for the pencilfish,they are not happy in small groups so I would have to add all at once. Once I do,how long should I wait (barring testing the tank for ammonia and wcs) before adding the rest of the gang? And when should I add mr ghost shrimp.

Well thanks for reading.

aunt kymmie

In a cycled tank with spot on water parameters I wouldn't hesitate to add all the pencilfish at once. No need to stress them out by splitting up their school. I'd wait one week and then add your pygmys and shrimp. JMHO, others may have a different point of view.

Byron

If memory serves me, these were Nannobrycon eques pencilfish. They are remarkably hardy for pencils, but definitely move them all at once. And all the pygmies at once. If this is a planted tank, I would put the pygmies in at the same time as the pencils. The less disturbance and crashing about the tanks the better for both fish species. Plants will consume the ammonia immediately. Make sure your water parameters are basically the same (temp, pH, hardness).

Byron.

fishyinpa

Gotcha,thanks! Should I wait another week or two though since a couple died? Or think its fine now.

Byron

The purpose of quarantine is to ensure the fish are not carrying disease or parasites into the main display aquarium. If after 3 weeks in QT there are no signs of disease or parasites, I would move them over. One fish or two dead would be cause not to if you see evidence of something. You have to observe and act accordingly.

I have had new fish suddenly break out with something 3 months after I got them; my group of 11 false neons were fine for more than 3 months, then 7 of them died within 2-3 weeks. The normal 3-4 week quarantine period didn't show any indication of whatever this was.

Byron.

fishyinpa

Ah okay. Yeah I dont see anything wrong with them,but who knows. I think I will wait maybe another week to be safe. Thanks Byron!