Neon Tetras died 2 days out from LFS

[slappycd]

:help: WTF.... Can't seem to keep fish happy. :(

6 neon T's gone in less than 12 hours, only had them 48 hours when the last one went.

I wasn't home went the first four went, saw #5 swimming about then looked later he's sitting in a plant still as can be. Finally #6 went after my WC (50%). He couldn't keep his equalibrium. swam for a bit then kind of spiraled this way and that final destination...up into the filter. :sad:

Water test
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10+
gh 150+
ph 7.5

This is usually the readings that tell me when to change water. My WC schedule is once a week 25-30%. I did a 50% this time cuz of the dyeing neons.

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

[mr_bentley78]

:help: WTF.... Can't seem to keep fish happy. :(

6 neon T's gone in less than 12 hours, only had them 48 hours when the last one went.

I wasn't home went the first four went, saw #5 swimming about then looked later he's sitting in a plant still as can be. Finally #6 went after my WC (50%). He couldn't keep his equalibrium. swam for a bit then kind of spiraled this way and that final destination...up into the filter. :sad:

Water test
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10+
gh 150+
ph 7.5

This is usually the readings that tell me when to change water. My WC schedule is once a week 25-30%. I did a 50% this time cuz of the dyeing neons.

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

You also need to take into consideration, that the fish could have been in a stressed state due to poor housing conditions, feeding, water, etc. from the LFS. Most stores offer warranties on their fish. Even though the warranties won't be long, they still have them. Ours is a 3 day warranty.

[sophiecat22]

Petsmart has a 14 day warranty, as long as you bring back the fish (whether its dead or alive) and your receit, petsmart will gladly exchange the fish for something else or give you your money back. Another LFS in my area has a no return policy on all livestock, but for some reason they'll take in any unwanted fish and give you store credit for it but they won't take back any fish that they sold that have died.

[Needeles]

Neons tend to be a less hardy fish. They are usally kept in such poor overcrowded conditions at the LFS that when you get them they are already on there way to death. Usally getting adult and more colorful Neons will result in them staying alive longer. Neons are very well known for the problem you are talking about.

Your water levels seem fine so I would not think this would be the problem. How long has the tank been setup? Do you have any other fish in the tank? Have you had any other problems with the tank lately? Have added anything new to the tank lately becides the Neons?

[slappycd]

Yea, theirs is 24 hours.... Thought this place was rebutable. They always give straight answers....Not trying to sell you extra things.... In fact the guys talk me out of a couple of fish. Told me to wait til my bioload adjusted to the fish I was buying. Their tanks always seem overstocked. Atleast by some of your vetran standards. But that is a n00bie observation.

Slap

[slappycd]

How long has the tank been setup?
6 weeks


Do you have any other fish in the tank?
6 Albino cories, added 3 at the same time as neons


Have you had any other problems with the tank lately?
Boy thats a big one. n00bie issues mainly. And some LFS crap.
Week one bought tank and cycled three days then Bio Spira with fish
Blue gourmi
Lyretail
Albino Cory
Swordtail
Course knowing what I know now I would have made different choices. One would be not to completely trust the LFS guys..... :huh:

Blue gourmi died the first day. Was "gasping" and never ate.
Lyretail died during Ich treatment, salt 1 tbsp per gallon added over 48 hours.

Week 4 bought mate for Sword and 3 more cories for company.
1 coried died next day. Added hornworts and plant bulbs from petco.

Week 6 took back swordtails, because male was too aggressive to female and cories. Brought home neons and 3 cories.


Have added anything new to the tank lately becides the Neons?
Above covers everything except some additional substrate.

By the way my cories are happy as clams. Always active and hungry.

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[sophiecat22]

Neons tend to be a less hardy fish. They are usally kept in such poor overcrowded conditions at the LFS that when you get them they are already on there way to death. Usally getting adult and more colorful Neons will result in them staying alive longer. Neons are very well known for the problem you are talking about.


Recently I've been hearing that after many years of being bred in captivity, neons have become hadier than they were before and they have become more adaptable to different water parameters. Is this not true? I've also heard that neons are much hardier than cardinal tetras and this is the main reason I was considering all neons and no cardinals. Is that not true as well?

[Star_Rider]

there is conflicting issue re neons.
one on going discussion revolves around caprive breeding.
they have been bred in captivity for quite some time . It wouldn't surprise me if we aren't seeing a downward trend in neons since they have been bred in captivity for so long.

one arguement is that in breeding has made the neon less hardy over time.

in anycase I have seen some hardy neons..and some not so hardy.

you may have just come across a not so hardy batch.

btw, compared to some fish neons aren't considered hardy.

so it's relative ;)

[Bitsy]

I have also had numerous problems with neons. When I set up my mothers tank for her that was her one request, she wanted a large school of neons. Well I've been through almost 2 dozen and now only have 1 remaining. I feel bad because he's all alone but went to the LFS today and requested they order me some cardinals. Close enough to a neon to make my mother happy and a much hardier fish. Good luck!

[slappycd]

Yesterday I found one Cory cat in my fake plant, looking like he was deteriating. Missing fins and an eye. Think he been gone a day or so. Is this common?

Second I found floating upside down "whole". I did notice him swimming funny yesterday. Kind of off balance. And not eating.

Worried, I can't pin point the problem. Tanks going on 8 weeks, numbers are all normal accept the GH which is up cuz I stop mixing with Distilled. Which affected my ph a little.

Nitrate 20
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
GH 300-
ph 8

Water changes (and vacuum gravel) every 4-5 days (25-30%), Treated with AquaPlus and sits covered for the duration between WC.

Feed Hilski sinking pellets and the occasional half a cube of frozen blood worms.

I do tend to mess with things alot. Usually once a day or two, I'll make minor adjustments with my plants. Could I be stressing them out.

Please....... :help:

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