Fish keep dying

[Doug E. Fresh]

I have had my aquarium for like 2 months and have had 3 different fish to die.
I have never had over 2 fish in the aquarium at once.

Now, my two Tetras are not eating. They are still swimming normally but arent' eating and are starting to "hide" in the plants and such. I had two Clown Loaches to die. The started "floating" around the aquarium and going to the top to breathe.

If you have too much ammonia in your aquarium will a paritial water change fix that?

 

[bubbles42151]

yup yup

:hang: hanging out at the top of the tank could mean your fish are not getting enough oxygen. If you have a tank with a high temperature keep in mind that the warmer the water the less oxygen it has. Water changes could help the ammonia levels. Remember some tetras like to live in shoals (i.g. five or more) so depending on the type of tetra you have that may be why your tetras are so shy. :read:

 

[Doug E. Fresh]

What scares me is that they are not eating for the last couple of days. Before when I put food in there they attacked it like pirrahnas. What makes them not eat. Also, what kind of kit do you recommend for me to get to test my Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate levels. I never did a "fishless cycle" and I am a little worried. I really don't want these little painted tetra to do, my kid loves them.

 

[Doug E. Fresh]

What are some problems that a fish not eating for a day or two would be one of the first signs of?

 

[bubbles42151]

yup yup

usually your local aquarium supplier tests water for free. i recommend any basic water test kit that accurately tests nitrite, nitrate, ph and ammonia levels. can you post any information about your tank like amount of fish, decorations and plants. Have you taken a good look at thier body and made sure there were no parasites. What kind of food are you feeding them? Try to get both your aquarium and tap water tested it. One way you can identify tap water problems that your water conditioner isn't taking care of, is to make a water chage about 30-50% and watch their reaction. :read:

 

[norm3000]

If there's ammonia in your water (you tested for this?) then you're tank hasn't been cycled or the cycle has been broken. Please read up on cycling:

http://www.petfish.net/cycling.htm
http://honors.montana.edu/~weif/firsttank/cycle.phtml

Once cycled, ammonia should never rise to significant levels unless you kill off the "good" bacteria or add more fish.

Give us more of a history on the tank and a reading of PH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and we'll be able to help out more.

 

[Doug E. Fresh]

I never Pre cycled the tank before fish. However, the tank has been up for about two months. It is a ten gallon tank. With colored gravel in the bottom(I know major sin) and 3 or 4 plastic plants. Originally I had a Dwarf Gourami by himself for about 3 weeks then I added two clown loaches. About 2 weeks later the Gourami died. I changed about 50% of the water. Everything seemed fine. About two days later I added two painted tetras. About 2 weeks later the Clown Loaches Began swimming funny. Then they they had what I thought was ICK. I don't know though. It was like scaly stuff all over their body. It looked like they were losing skin. They also started kinda floating around the tank and what not. I put some of those ICK and Parasite fizz discs in the tank but it was too late they were suffering and I euthanized them. Everything seemed fine with the tetras until now.

Oh, yes I also have a pretty good "waterfall style" filter and a bubbles stone, so I feel that the tank is pretty well aerated.

I have two painted tetras a green one and a pinkish one. I have noticed that the green one is still eating well. The pink does not want to eat. Also, sometimes when the pink one comes around the food the green one chases it around. I'm wondering it is some kind of aggression problem. Also, if there is nothing wrong with the tank levels, when can I add more fish and how many?

Thanks

 

[Doug E. Fresh]

Ok, I read the cycle links. If I change my water (10-15%) every few days do I still need to put the Aquasafe (non chlorination) chemical in there? Also, do I need to get a live plant?

What if I test my aquarium and have high ammonia and Nitrite levels? Does time just fix this?

I have also been adding this "Easy balance" stuff that is supposed to reduce Nitrites and Nitrates, which I just read is really stupid to do. Guess I am a true newb.

 

[mishi8]

Having any level of ammonia or nitrite in your tank is a problem for fish, and could very well be what is causing health problems and deaths. Since you've only had your tank up and running for 2 months, it sounds like the tank may still be cycling. The best way to know what is going on in your tank is to test your water daily. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes an accurate and affordable test kit: Freshwater Master Test Kit Best way to lower the ammonia and nitrite levels is to do partial water changes, daily if needed.

 

[mishi8]

Ok, I read the cycle links. If I change my water (10-15%) every few days do I still need to put the Aquasafe (non chlorination) chemical in there? Also, do I need to get a live plant?

What if I test my aquarium and have high ammonia and Nitrite levels? Does time just fix this?

I have also been adding this "Easy balance" stuff that is supposed to reduce Nitrites and Nitrates, which I just read is really stupid to do. Guess I am a true newb.

Over time, your biological filter will be able to consume all of the ammonia that your fish produce. So, yes, time will fix it. But your fish may not survive the high levels of ammonia and nitrites over the length of time it takes to develop a complete bio filter. Doing water changes as needed will help keep your fish alive. And you do need to add water conditioner to treat for chlorine or chloramines, depending on what your tap water is treated with.