Help, my smallmouth bass fry are dying!

[Wiggles92]

Some of my smallmouth bass fry have begun to die. They turn clear, have trouble swimming, and eventually end up sinking to the bottom to die. I watched 5 die in a span of about 10 minutes. The other fry are the usual black color and can swim just fine. What could be causing this?

 

[ward1066]

whats your tank temp?

 

[Wiggles92]

The water temperature is 73° F according to my digital temperature probe. Basically the water is at room temperature.

 

[ward1066]

The water temperature is 73° F according to my digital temperature probe. Basically the water is at room temperature.

I am not a professional smallmouth keeper, but I think they like water much colder, like in the 50-60 range. Maybe they cant tolerate lower oxygen

 

[Wiggles92]

ok, i'll try to get more oxygen in the water. i think i have an air stone so i might use that. i got them from my pond which usually gets pretty warm around this time of year and the fry in there are fine. they ones i have in an aquarium have been in there for about a week so far with little trouble up until now.

 

[Wiggles92]

I added aquarium salt a few minutes ago, still looking for the airstone.