New Red Top Zebras Keep Dying

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OK, whew. I'm finally done. Between catching two of my fish to return, driving in traffic to the LFS and the below, it took me about 4 hours to do all of this.

I took about an hour cleaning, rearranging the tank and catching the two fish that were going back.

I did not feed my fish their usual 5:30 feeding. When I was at the LFS, I was very scientific about it. I looked for the most assertive fish in the tank. I asked for a large bag. I tested the LFS water as soon as I got home and was surprised to find it at pH 8.0. My tank is 7.8.

I put the fish with their LFS water in a pitcher--my bucket is too large. I added some of my tank water--don't ask me the exact quantity--it wasn't THAT scientific. I based the quantities on the percentage that you guys suggested. I waited 5 minutes and added just a little more. After 10 minutes, just a little more. At the 15 minute mark, I added an equal amount as the first "dose" and had to go eat dinner. I turned the light off in the room where the pitcher was.

After a total of 45 minutes, I drained the water out by spilling it and the fish into a net, and introduced them into the tank. I then fed my very hungry fish. There was some chasing and being chased--like always, and when the food was gone, I turned the lights out for the night.

When I get up tomorrow, I will give them their 6:45 feeding and away to work I go. I won't be able to check on them again until 5-5:30. Keep your fingers crossed. I'll post what things look like when I get home tomorrow.
 
On any newly acquired fish from the LFS I like to use the Drip method if the PH is more than a few points off. Its a little more geared toward sensitive salt water fish but it works just the same. And spreads out the time frame that the waters PH is being raised in. (controlled by how tight the knot in the tubing is)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=19
 
Well, here's a little update. When I got up this morning everyone looked fine. I did notice that the red top is a very mellow fish. When I'm feeding, all the other fish are darting and flitting about--grabbing pellets, and the red top is just...hanging out. Looking at the heater, floating around, occasionally getting out of the way of other fish. I guess it's normal, but I've never had a cichlid like that when they are juvies. Sure, when they get real big they seem to lounge more.

Anyway, after the lights were on for awhile and the food was in the tank, as he was staring into the corner , I did notice that he started showing his stripes--that's a good thing. I hope he doesn't get picked on--too much :-)

More later, when I get home. Now I must work!
 
nice, give him a couple of day and he will be good =)
 
be sure when you leave fish without being in a bag with air, and in a container for an extended time frame, couple hours, that you add some oxygen to the mix. I would hate for you fish to die for lack of oxygen.
 
Well, I think for those of you following this thread, you will be just as shocked to read as I was to find the fish dead when I got home just after 5:00. :-(

I bought another fish at the same time, it rode home in the same bag, was introduced to the tank the exact same way, and the exact same time.

What could possibly kill the same breed of fish 3 times and have no affect on the other fish? I have a guess. I have two acais that are very similar in size and color as the zebras and can be aggressive. I'm thinking they do it.

I really wish I could preform an autopsy on the little guy, but needless to say, I won't be buying any more red top zebras until I find out what's happening. At 5:00, the dead fish already had rigor. I'm uploading a couple photos for you to look at. I'm sure you've all seen dead fish before. There is no way to tell from the photo what happened peri mortem and what happened post mortem, but I thought I should document this. Check my profile album under RT Zebra.

Anyway, I'm happy with my other fish and I'm not throwing in the towel on anything else--because everything else is going very well with my tank.

Thanks,
 
1974Pantera;3396762; said:
Several things...

More importantly, all your new fish should go into a quarantine tank before introducing them into your tank. If you don't have one, set up a 10 or 15g tank.....it's well worth the money!
Click to expand...


your the man!!!!!!:D this is the number 1 way to do so.....anything-ls...its 50/50............
 
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