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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hey,

One of my cardinal tetras died randomly, whom seemed fine a couple hours before hand. I came to go to bed and couldn't find one of them, and when found, he was just lying there at the back with loss of colour and his fins chewed up. He is one of the originals and always swam with the others. so huuh? Should I be concerned for the rest?

The rest of the tetras are still doing their normal thing.

1. Size of tank? 10Gal

2. Water parameters
a. Ammonia? 0
b. Nitrite? 0 - 0.1
c. Nitrate? 4 - 6ish (looks like its rising, due for a water change anyways)
d. pH, KH and GH? pH 7.6
e. Test kit? API

3. Temperature? usually around 79 - 80

4. FW (fresh water) or BW (brackish)? FW

5. How long the aquarium has been set up? Couple months

6. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them? 3 neons, 3 cloudy minnows, betta, spotted cory, snail. All generally young(had since thank was cycled), all under an inch, except the betta.

7. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)? Yes

8. a. Any live plants? Fake plants? yes, 3 different types. All look to be in good health.
b. Sand, gravel, barebottom? Gravel
c. Rocks, woods, fancy decors? Any hollow decors? Coral for pH, betta cave, wall thing with a bubble tube.

9. a. Filtration? Yes, the one you get with a marina deluxe 10g... aquaclear?
b. Heater? Yes

10. a. Lighting schedule? What lights are used? around 10 hours or more a day
b. Any sunlight exposure? How long? in the basement, no direct exposure

11. a. Water change schedule? every so often (4 - 5 days) 20% change - includes gravel vaccum.
b. Volume of water changed? 20%
c. Well water, tap water, RO water? tap
d. Water conditioner used? API water conditioner, using stress coat now
e. Frequency of gravel/sand (if any) vacuumed? above

12. Foods? flakes for fish, bloodworm treat for betta, shrimp/veg pellets for bottom feeder at night
How often are they fed? once a day, with a day fast

13. a. Any abnormal signs/symptoms? none at all
b. Appearance of poop? Before today it looked like he was pooping just fine
c. Appearance of gills? redish look (normal for tetras, not ammonia burn)

14. a. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? Had a fish die of something, Hemorrhagic Septicemia was what store keepers said after hearing symptoms and seeing fish.

Treatment is done, water is already getting clear and filters are back in.

b. What meds were used? Tetracycline
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Hey!

Thanks for the response, I should have added another point. Even though the tetra had been dead for maybe an hour or two. He was already decaying... does that happen fast or is this unusual?
They're all neon tetras, I've just heard them be called cardinals. Just getting the names mixed up. They first fish to die was a Black Molly, and I was told to use the treatment to kill whatever it was in the tank. I always deal with the same guy at the store. He has quite a few aquariums of his own and knows a lot. So I took his word for it.
It was when I first started, I asked what went with a betta. They said to get clouds along with the others. Should I just sell/give back to the LFS and get more tetras? Well when I figure out whats happening with the tank...
I should say that two of the tetras did seem to stay separated from one. The one that died, and one of the others were always together - though I should mention they would nip at each other some times? is that them fighting for alpha of the group? The other always stayed in hiding, but always comes out to eat of coarse.

I have been having trouble getting Prime here, I told one shop to order it in for me, haven't heard anything yet though. I should be upgrading soon, to a 20gallon. I'll do daily changes and watch the levels. Hopefully no one else will die!

Thanks,

Josh
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Afternoon Randy,

With your information, I am sure to get an upgrade! I definitely won't be getting another molly. I was irresponsible to not research before getting fish, I didn't even know how to cycle in the beginning, poor betta... he was my cycling fish! Fortunately its established now!

Also I awoke this morning to another missing fish. The 'alpha' is still around, he was hiding/sleeping in the betta cave and is now swimming around. The other one (the loner fish) is missing, can't find a single trace.

So I think its best I don't purchase any fish for awhile, at least until I can get the upgrade and give the clouds a new home. And I'll see to getting Prime :)

Thanks for all your help!

Josh
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Well if that were the case, they are all infected and to my knowledge, there is no known cure. But their swim patterns are the same, full colour. No lumps, white patches or spine irregularities.
There was also no school to break from, because there wasn't that many. The one that died did stick with the other, and never broke away to my knowledge. So I can't be sure its NTD. Still a shock to me that the tetra just died like that though.

That missing tetra reappeared... ninja tetra. I used a flash light and everything to try and find it haha!

I'll keep you all posted!
 
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