Same with me, Neons are $2 a piece every where I go and they are oh so fragile. If you want to keep trying the neons I would suggest going around the lfs and asking where their neons are from, they should all know that. I got a bad batch of neons and they almost all died, then I went over to my fav. lfs and asked about his neons. "They are Florida Bred" he said, "the healthiest neons I've ever seen"....and indeed they are, fat colorfull little guys. I haven't lost one yet. Look for Florida Bred Neons.