None of my fish will eat!

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Lars6

Lars6

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 18, 2018
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I have 10 cardinal tetras and a German blue ram in a 20 gallon long that’s heavily planted. I added the tetras last week and I added the ram a few days ago. I lost two cardinal tetras today. On top of this, no one will eat. The cardinals have barley been eating at all this week but now they aren’t even aknowledging the food. They all just hide behind a large rock. I am especially surprised that my ram isn’t going for anything because he’s normally a pig. My ph is 7.6, my ammonia and nitrie are close to zero, and my nitrate is 20. I feed them New Life Spectrum small fish formula and freeze dried blood worms. Any suggestions?
 
Yes, the tank is fully cycled. I’m thinking maybe the high ph but I’m not sure
 
Hmmm you add or modify any decor/equipment that might be leeching something sinister into the water? Something you painted? Uncured silicone? Brand new sponge filter?
 
I used loctite super glue gel to attach moss to the large rock mentioned before. I let it dry for 15 minutes before putting it into the aquarium. I saw aquapros use this so I assume it’s safe. Also, I am sure that my tank is fully cycled. I tested for ammonia today and it’s at zero. I also tested for everything (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) before adding the fish initially. Ammonia and nitrite were at zero and nitrate was around 20 ppm. Is it possible that my alkaline water of 7.6 is weakening them?
 
Lars6 said:
I used loctite super glue gel to attach moss to the large rock mentioned before. I let it dry for 15 minutes before putting it into the aquarium. I saw aquapros use this so I assume it’s safe. Also, I am sure that my tank is fully cycled. I tested for ammonia today and it’s at zero. I also tested for everything (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) before adding the fish initially. Ammonia and nitrite were at zero and nitrate was around 20 ppm. Is it possible that my alkaline water of 7.6 is weakening them?
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Hmmm normally you would wanna let that stuff cure for a day or two before submerging it. I have heard of folks using loctite before though. To be safe, id do 50% water changes every day for a week. Try to be sneaky with them so as to not stress the already stressed fish further. Using api stresscoat with your water changes couldnt hurt. If a contaminant is the problem you should be able to dilute it enough or get rid of it entirely after a week for them to perk up.

Your fish are acidic-friendly, but 7.6 is not extremely alkaline. I dont think thats the problem.

Edit: oh and if ypu havent already, remove the superglue rock and see if that makes a difference.
 
I would remove the rock but I don’t want the moss to dry up and die
 
Lars6 said:
I would remove the rock but I don’t want the moss to dry up and die
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Well i would just try the water changes and stresscoat. It may or may not be the glue rock. Attempt to soften your water and make sure your heater is still working also. People laugh but i once couldnt figure out why my fish were acting lethargic and it took me 3 days to figure out the water was 60 degrees and the heater had broken.
 
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