Sudden death

P

projektdc5

AC Members
Jun 25, 2006
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First off I will start with the set up being Ive only posted a couple times most people im sure done know what I have.

65g tank with
3 silver tipped (brackish I think)
2 silver dollars
2 angels
2 Parrot ciclids



Ive had them for about 2 weeks or so.

They all seemed to be super happy and healthy.

I then added 2 small puffers the other day. I was out most of the day yesterday and last night came home to a tank of ALL dead fish. Im shocked. I doubt the little puffers could have killed all the others. Not so quickly anyways.... But the puffers are dead too! Any ideas? I dont want to get anything else till I figure out what the problem may have been.


:sad:
 
water params, please!!
 
Not to sure. Before I purchased any fish I took a sample of the water to the LFS (right down the street) They said it was fine. A few days after adding the fish I took another sample (to lazy to test it myself) They said it was fine. I took them a sample about 4 days ago (right before adding the puffers) They said it was fine.

One things for sure im buying a test kit and testing my own water from now on.
(Ive learned the hard way its a newbie mistake to trust the LFS)
 
was the filter working? the heater? were there any signs of disease on the fish?
 
The filter is working fine. I still have it running and its running fine. The heater and everything is new and working fine. The puffers had no color left to them by the time I got home. All the fish still had some color left to them but the puffers were almost white.
 
it sounds like ammonia or nitrate poisonig from adding too many fish too quickly. start over, and this time let your tank cycle for at least 2 weeks before adding fish, buy your own test kit, add the fish at 3-4 day intervals, and NEVER trust your LFS!
 
Thanks for the help.

Would you recommend I toss out all the gravel and "props" in the tank? Start from complete fresh?
 
Never trust an LFS when they say your water is fine, unless you have an established relationship with them, that has convinced you to trust them. If you surf through posts here, the recommendations will be over whelming in supporting you test your own water parameters. It is really not that hard or too much work. Always post the exact readings; stating they are fine is not descriptive enough for someone who is trying to solve issues.

Since your fish died so quickly, and we do not know your parameters it will probably be best for you to completely drain your tank and start over from step one. I don't think you should get rid of the gravel and props, but I would rinse and clean all with a mild bleach solution. Then rinse all again with a good dechlor.

Also, review (if you haven't)...

http://aquafacts.net/wiki/index.php/Cycling_a_Freshwater_Tank

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1174

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50188

You could use Bio Spira to establish a new tank quicker. If you are not using established media from an already healthy established tank or the bio spira, it will take 4-6 weeks to establish a fishless cycled tank, not the two weeks referenced above.

You can use this time to research a bit more, especially on your stocking plan and fish compatibility. Post what your stocking plan is and get some solid input from experienced people on what you can and can not put in there.

Thanks for coming back and asking for help.
 
how long was the tank set up before you added all the fish? I know you said you added them about 2 weeks ago, but if your tank hadn't finished cycling before adding all those fish it was most likely ammonia poisoning.

I also wouldn't toss everything out. if your tank is still cycling, you should keep it going, and your gravel and props all house beneficial bacteria which can help avoid a problem like this in the future (if that is indeed what the problem is)
 
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