Help! Dead Neon Tetras!

J

jamie1972

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Aug 21, 2006
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We have had our 30g up and running with no problems for about 6 months now. Amonia and nitrate levels are always at zero, and no deaths among the fish that were living in the aquarium when we got it. Crystal clear water.....yadda yadda yadda.

That said....we caught Wal Mart Thursday night with a fresh stock of neon tetras that looked great. We bought six of them and six hot pink danios. We have lost five of the neons since then. All of the danios and other fishies in the tank look great. We have: 1 pleco, two cory cats, two cardinal tetras, and one black skirt tetra.

Any advice on what might have been wrong with the neons? They are hubby's favorite fish...and he wants me to buy some more.

Please don't beat me for shopping at Wal Mart. lol. We live in an area that only has two choices...and they both get their fish on the same day from the same supplier.

All advice is appreciated.
 
Buy from the other supplier after they have been there a while. That is if they keep better water conditions. I don't like getting my fish the same day as they were shipped to the stores. Think about it the fish go through the stress of packing for shippment. They stress while being transported. They arive at there destination and go through the stress of being unpacked. Then they only get adjustment to the water temp and not the water conditions wich causes even more stress. If there water conditions stink like at walmart more stress.

Now you buy the fish. They get netted and baged wich is more stress. Then you drive them home more stess. Then you put them in your tank (more stress). If you only addjust for temp and not water conditions you add even more stress to them.

Get my point (Stress, Stress, Stress....)

Ask your other supplier for water sample or to witness the testing of that tank. If they refuse then they don't wont the sale. Expect it to be a little high but no extrems. Everyone suggests buying fish on arival but this is just to much IMHO.

How would you like to go through all of this?
 
Thanks for the input. I know they go through alot of stress, but wonder why only the tetras have died and not the danios. Guess they are just heartier.

I'll check out the other store.

Thanks all!
 
Thanks for the input. I know they go through alot of stress, but wonder why only the tetras have died and not the danios.
Click to expand...

Guess they are just heartier.

You doubled the bio-load. Are you sure you didn't have an ammonia or nitrite spike?
Click to expand...

Very valid point.
 
For one thing, neons are notoriously delicate fish, perhaps from years of over-breeding. As a result, they often need a long, careful acclimatization to the new tank and it's water parameters (slow drip over a period of an hour or two is usually OK).

At my local fish store, new arrivals are quarantined for a period, to separate the weak fish from the hardier ones. The weak ones usually die within the first few weeks of arrival. Sometimes it's better to wait a while before purchasing to ensure the new arrivals are going to make it.

I agree also with Omega--a sudden introduction of a number of fish can overwhelm your biofilter, leading to an ammonia/nitrite spike. It's usually best to add fish a few at a time, so that the good bacteria has a chance to catch up to the new fishload.

Introducing new fish to an established tank of fish is risky. Quarantining new arrivals in a separate tank for a few weeks at least is a good idea so that any potential disease from the new fish aren't spread to your healthy fish.
 
Thank you, Ms. Bubbles. That was VERY good input. Hubby had Neons in the past, and thought they were hearty. I will wait another week or so to let the bio-load level out, checking for spikes daily. I will then purchase the neons from the pet store instead of Wal Mart. I will VERY slowly acclimate the neons to the tank.......and pray that works.
 
I've seen those Pink Danios at Walmart. Is that natural?

And even if you let the bio-load level out, if you go and get a whole school of fish at once, you'll spike it again. Some people even see mini-cycles when they add the recommended 2-3 fish at one time.
 
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