Acclimating Fish Scaring Me!

[nukeonekitty]

I got 4 bolivian rams today. I put them into the tank (in the bag) for about 15 minutes then put a whole in the bag and slowly put the water from the tank into their bag then letting them out a few minutes later. They all went right to the bottom and are now laying on the ground (breathing normally). No nitite/ammonia/nitrate and my hardness is about 10 and ph is around 8.

Is this normal?

 

[WILDER]

Always check the ph of the store.
When you get home take a ph test of the bag water and temp, this way you no how long to climatise for.
What was the ph of the store ot your tank.

 

[nukeonekitty]

I have no idea what the ph from the store water was. I didn't even think to keep track of that...

 

[WILDER]

Very important that you know it as if you don't climatise them properly ph shock.
How are the fish now.

 

[nukeonekitty]

They are still on the bottom, breathing normally and moving their fins. One is not on the bottom, it is floating a half inch above the substrate.

 

[WILDER]

Are they laying to onside on the gravel.

 

[nukeonekitty]

The are laying with their stomachs on the gravel (not on their sides) and two of them are laying the gravel and leaning on the glass kind of.

 

[nukeonekitty]

also two of them did move (not far though)

 

[WILDER]

Well to be honest there not sounding good, finger crossed there make it.
Increase aeration in the tank.

 

[nukeonekitty]

3 of them are starting to move around. Staying near the bottom kind of picking at the substrate. The other one is still laying...

 

[WILDER]

Ok good luck, but it is touch and go.

 

[nukeonekitty]

All four are now swimming around more and more! Keep those fingers crossed though!

 

[WILDER]

Bless them, finger crossed.

 

[Canadian]

It sounds like all it was was shock. My rams did that as well when I brought them home, they were swimming around fine the next day or so.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

could also just be general insecurity; most of the cichlids are a little skittish/sulky the first few days in a new environment.

but, FYI, you really should quarantine your fish for 2+ weeks before introducing them to your tank.