Absolute DISASTER with neons

Since the otos and hatchets are stable, i am apprehensive about adjusting chemistry. At this point there are only maybe 200 neons left. Time will tell if there is a bigger issue. At any rate, they are no longer dropping en masse.

I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemy. Its been totally heart breaking.
 
oh my goodness Rachel! i hope the remaining neons are going to be alright. and as you said, an experience not to be wished upon even a worst enemy.

i will keep my finners crossed that the rest of those lil finkids make it!
 
"Since the otos and hatchets are stable, i am apprehensive about adjusting chemistry."

I totally agree. Thankfully the Hatchets and Otos don't seem to have any problems with the water in your area, if that was the problem.

I wouldn't mess with it either.

I'm guessing Osmotic shock might be the cause of the deaths if those Neons were wild caught, and most likely they were, but I don't think we can ever really know for sure what it was.

I'm so sorry this happened to you, Rach. Eveyone knows what an awesome fishkeeper you are.
 
Hi,

thid is Heiko Bleher and if I have understood correctly the Neons were freshly imported and you placed them into the community tank? If that is/was the case, then it is only very normal that thiose fishes began to die like flies.

A stressed, freshly imported fish, should NEVER be placed in a community tank, ONLy into a separate quarantaine tank where there is no other fish. And stay there under observation for at least 14, better 21 days. In a separate tank they do not have to fight the bacterias and parasites the other fishes in your community tank have and live with very well. The "newcombers" have no resistance against those (they need to first grow onto them, in your water, which in any case is always different from the water they originally come from).

No medication or treatment whatsoever will help now (nor before), and only the strongest of all of those will survive eventually. Only those which have a very strong immun system and can resist.

Please remember this once and for all times. NEVER place new fishes to your old(er) fishes, have new ones ALWAYS quarantained separately and you will never have this problem again (unless you get them sick and for that watch always you source).

From one who works with fishe over a half a century...

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com
 
It is an honor, sir, to have you post on AC. Most, if not all, of us are familiar with your work. Please forgive my relative inexperience and background as I comment on this matter.

It is my understanding, from Rachel's post, that she had a separate tank to use as a quarantine tank, unoccupied prior to the placement of the Hatchets, Otos, and Neons, and that she did, however, use gravel from an Oscar's tank, and possibly other material to introduce beneficial bacteria into this quarantine tank.

They were not placed into a community tank, that is, other than the three species together. They did very well for several days and then began to drop like flies, so to speak.

She has stated that the water in her area is very hard, so some of us theorize that the Neons, being probably wild caught and used to soft, acidic water, may have not been able to adjust to the chemistry of the water, although Rachel did use careful acclimation technique.

I, we, defer to your vast experience and knowledge and appreciate your generous gift of your time and your input into this matter.

EDIT: Forgive my ignorance: they were placed together in a quarantine tank and I think that is what you meant. My apologies, sir.
 
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That is correct mel. The otos neons and hatchets all came in by surpris-ish shipment. In the future I will keep them seperate but this time I had no choice. Heiko, is there anything I can do?
 
Hi,

thid is Heiko Bleher and if I have understood correctly the Neons were freshly imported and you placed them into the community tank? If that is/was the case, then it is only very normal that thiose fishes began to die like flies.

Yes, they were put into a 75g with hatchets and otocinclus which were in the same order. I didn't plan on these fish or I would have done it differently.

A stressed, freshly imported fish, should NEVER be placed in a community tank, ONLy into a separate quarantaine tank where there is no other fish. And stay there under observation for at least 14, better 21 days. In a separate tank they do not have to fight the bacterias and parasites the other fishes in your community tank have and live with very well. The "newcombers" have no resistance against those (they need to first grow onto them, in your water, which in any case is always different from the water they originally come from).

Typically I seperate for 30 days. Do you have any sort of regular import regime you suggest? I usually go with monitor and treat if I see specific symptoms.
I start out feeding live teh first two days, then transition to trying prepared foods.

No medication or treatment whatsoever will help now (nor before), and only the strongest of all of those will survive eventually. Only those which have a very strong immun system and can resist.

Please remember this once and for all times. NEVER place new fishes to your old(er) fishes, have new ones ALWAYS quarantained separately and you will never have this problem again (unless you get them sick and for that watch always you source).

I did not place them with fish I had been keeping, only with new arrivals. I received a call from my transhipper that 8000 fish were displaced and would I tak ea portion. Any help you can offer on what to do would be sooooo appreciated.

From one who works with fishe over a half a century...

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com

With much respect,

Rachel Oleary
 
if you do happen to find out the cause of the die off ,would you please post your findings here .
it may help someone else in the future maybe me lol
after this is all over i still would like some neons
 
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