I don't post too often but was hoping for some suggestions. I currently have a fully cycled 75 gallon (48"), with inert play sand substrate and various large natural non-calcium based rock formations for decor. No plants, and I also lack a light hood but the tank has a glass top and is decently well lit from room lighting. I will hopefully be building a matching light hood to match the cabinet the tank rests on. Water parameters: temp 79 degrees, Ph: 8.0, ammonia: 0, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 15ppm. Eheim 2026 filter with two large airstones for additional circulation. After re-homing the tank's former inhabitants, I purchased two quarter sized baby angel fish, and one featherfin catfish. This was about a week ago. The catfish is eating like a pig, constantly rummaging about his caves, and is overall appearing very healthy and vibrant. Unfortunately though, I woke yesterday to find both angelfish dying, and by lunch time dead. They were motionless with labored breathing on the bottom and when prodded with a turkey baster they just kind of aimlessly drifted and tumbled about with the current. No white spots or signs of infection. Within a couple hours of noticing them in that state, they were no longer breathing.
My water quality was good and they were acclimated over the course of an hour using drip method. I've been keeping fish for a while, and while I am by no means an expert, I cannot figure out what I did wrong. Perhaps angelfish were just alot more delicate than I anticipated they would be. I've kept oscars, bettas, tetras, and guppies (not all in the same tank of course) in the past and never had any deaths like this.
At any rate. I've replaced them with a small school of 7 tiger barbs, about dime sized or smaller. The catfish is doing fine as well. I also put 6 male guppies in from another tank of mine to avoid going through a filter crash/re-cycle. I know that the guppies may end up being harassed by the tiger barbs, but so far they've been quick and if it becomes problematic, I have somewhere else to put them. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what would fill out the tank with lots of movement and color, but can tolerate my higher ph. I like alot of different types of tetras but I understand that they have widely different water preferences. Also, any ideas on what could have caused the angelfish to die so suddenly?
My water quality was good and they were acclimated over the course of an hour using drip method. I've been keeping fish for a while, and while I am by no means an expert, I cannot figure out what I did wrong. Perhaps angelfish were just alot more delicate than I anticipated they would be. I've kept oscars, bettas, tetras, and guppies (not all in the same tank of course) in the past and never had any deaths like this.
At any rate. I've replaced them with a small school of 7 tiger barbs, about dime sized or smaller. The catfish is doing fine as well. I also put 6 male guppies in from another tank of mine to avoid going through a filter crash/re-cycle. I know that the guppies may end up being harassed by the tiger barbs, but so far they've been quick and if it becomes problematic, I have somewhere else to put them. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what would fill out the tank with lots of movement and color, but can tolerate my higher ph. I like alot of different types of tetras but I understand that they have widely different water preferences. Also, any ideas on what could have caused the angelfish to die so suddenly?
