After setting up my 60 gallon aquarium, cycling it, and adding plants and driftwood, I attempted to add fish over the past three weeks.
The first time, I added a school of about two dozen bluntnose minnows (these are the xanthic strain bought from a LFS.) I lost about eight minnows before the population stabilized. They all seem energetic and healthy now.
I waited a week, and then attempted to add 3 wild caught pumpkinseed fish, each about 3-4 inches. It's only been overnight, and I've lost two. The third seems lethargic and stays at the surface, gasping. They were introduced by sitting in an aerated bucket of lake water, and I slowly added some aquarium water over an hour's time. Then I netted them out and released them into the tank. My aquarium is a cold water, room temperature setup, so the bucket water was the same temp. as the aquarium.
I really hate losing fish, even more so when I can't find the cause. Under state law, I can't just put them back in the lake if they are struggling, either. Before attempting to introduce any more wild caught fish, I'd like some opinions from more experienced aquarium keepers. What is going on?
*FYI: I live in Michigan and have a valid wildlife collection permit.*
Aquarium details:
Equipment
-60 Gallon Glass Aquarium (36x18x22)
-Eheim 2237 Canister Filter (Spray bar located just above the surface)
Chemicals
Jungle Start Right after every water change. (Well water with softener running)
Levels
-NH3: 0ppm
-NO2: 0ppm
-NO3: 0ppm
-PH: 7.6
-Temp: 65.6 F
Plants
-Vallisneria americana
-Elodea canadensis
-Potamogeton robbinsii
-Fissidens fontanus
Decor
Aquarium Gravel Substrate
Driftwood (Locally found, boiled, and saturated for use. No idea what type of tree, other than it's a hardwood)
The first time, I added a school of about two dozen bluntnose minnows (these are the xanthic strain bought from a LFS.) I lost about eight minnows before the population stabilized. They all seem energetic and healthy now.
I waited a week, and then attempted to add 3 wild caught pumpkinseed fish, each about 3-4 inches. It's only been overnight, and I've lost two. The third seems lethargic and stays at the surface, gasping. They were introduced by sitting in an aerated bucket of lake water, and I slowly added some aquarium water over an hour's time. Then I netted them out and released them into the tank. My aquarium is a cold water, room temperature setup, so the bucket water was the same temp. as the aquarium.
I really hate losing fish, even more so when I can't find the cause. Under state law, I can't just put them back in the lake if they are struggling, either. Before attempting to introduce any more wild caught fish, I'd like some opinions from more experienced aquarium keepers. What is going on?
*FYI: I live in Michigan and have a valid wildlife collection permit.*
Aquarium details:
Equipment
-60 Gallon Glass Aquarium (36x18x22)
-Eheim 2237 Canister Filter (Spray bar located just above the surface)
Chemicals
Jungle Start Right after every water change. (Well water with softener running)
Levels
-NH3: 0ppm
-NO2: 0ppm
-NO3: 0ppm
-PH: 7.6
-Temp: 65.6 F
Plants
-Vallisneria americana
-Elodea canadensis
-Potamogeton robbinsii
-Fissidens fontanus
Decor
Aquarium Gravel Substrate
Driftwood (Locally found, boiled, and saturated for use. No idea what type of tree, other than it's a hardwood)