Yea, I'm thinking if my fish is carrying, then I can appeal to her maternal nature and say, she's got little ones. They'll be eaten, and she needs a rest. I have to get a "maternity tank". Whatdya think?1974Pantera;3396887; said:
New Red Top Zebras Keep Dying
- Thread starter Razor7Music
- Start date
Just curious since no one asked the original poster. What were his water parameters? What is "good"?
Lisachromis;3397173; said:
No ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates. pH at 7.8, steady 80 degrees F. Bubbler in the corner. My filter is awesome and I'm anal about cleaning--so I thought it would be good, but I wanted to check it before I introduced any new fish.
My other fish are thriving, and my acai might even be carrying--which should tell you something. I really think it's the shock of the pH as discussed. That would explain the first fish swimming really slow from the get go. It looked odd to me.
How can you have no nitrates?
I thought I'd ask since often people say "my water is good" and when you ask the readings, they say "I don't know, or give some number that shows the water is not as good as they thought. That said, it's totally possible that something was up with the petstore fish. A quarantine tank is a good idea.
Good luck with the new fish!
I thought I'd ask since often people say "my water is good" and when you ask the readings, they say "I don't know, or give some number that shows the water is not as good as they thought. That said, it's totally possible that something was up with the petstore fish. A quarantine tank is a good idea.
Good luck with the new fish!
Razor7Music;3397162; said:
I "think" that anything you can say or do to get another tank up and running is paramount for you fish and yourself.
You must have some space in the garage?
1974Pantera;3396762; said:
I agree-not just to aclimate your fish but to ensure the new arrivals don't infect your entire stock with anything. These fish could be sick and the shock of being netted, bagged,transported and transferred to your tank can be the last straw. Some lfs fish carry ailments that aren't affecting them seriously yet. This could be why your fish appeared healthy when you purchased them. The stress of leaving their new home can make them go downhill quick. I would not automatically assume this is the case, but I wouldn't risk introducing another fish without quarantine.
Yea, I usually have some nitrates, but this was the first time it showed 0. I use the API Master tester. It's a lot better than the test strips IMO.Lisachromis;3397265; said:
This is what i would do if you end up buying more fish from the lfs: before you add the fish, test the PH of the water that the new additions are coming from. I have done this before and was shocked at the extreme difference in PH from the lfs and my tank (last time it was a difference of 6.0 at the lfs to my 8.0 for the malawi tank!). this alone could definitely shock the fish. like has been said, I would use a bucket to pour the fish into with the water from their bags. Then, scoop up some water from your tank and add it gradually. maybe start off with half lfs water half your tank. then add more of your tank water 15 minutes later. after another 15 minutes, i would take some of the water out of the bucket and add more of your tank water. give it another 15 or so minutes. this will help acclimate the fish. I also will often times give the fish a salt dip by adding 1 tablespoon of salt to the water (this should only be done under a watchful eye to make sure the fish are not stressed by this). This will reduce parasite problems and will also get your fish adjusted to the PH in your tank. extra care should be taken if the fish came in PH much different from your own. many will even quarantine the new additions which will prevent complications from the new additions. Just thought i would share since I have seen these methods help in my own experience with fish. just be careful with the salt since it can really mess up some fish
swede;3399973; said:
I'm liking the bucket idea. I actually need to go to the same LFS tonight as I have an overly amorous auratus that's just about to kill one of his females--and I'm trading in my larger fish (that's a whole different post). I'm going to try a larger red top and follow the instructions from this forum. I am going to test their pH first though, because even though it may not kill the other fish I buy there, I'm sure it stresses them out--and going to a new established tank is stressful enough.
BTW--my test kit has a pH and a high pH tester. Which should I start with for the lfs? Just thought I'd ask.
Thanks,
good luck with the addition of the new fish.. i use to have the problem, but my would stay on the ground and alll, but after one night, it will be regular again. i recently add a mono sabre into my tank and he ate right away, i dunoz how but now he caught up in size wiht my other fish and he doing great. as everyone said.. put some of ur tank water into the bag and float it for another 15 min. that should help.. if not, maybe that lfs fish arent as healthy as we think they are haha.. GOOD LUCK AGAIN!
