Another Fish Not Looking Good

[neesymac]

Hello more advice needed

5/6 weeks ago i got my fish tank with 2 Platys and 2 Spotted Mollies - one platy died after a few days and the other 3 were fine for 3 weeks.

Last week i bought a silver shark and 2 Rosy Barbs - the day after the silver shark died and then both mollies died.

Now tonight one of the rosy barbs is looking a bit iffy. I haven't got my water test kit yet but can anyone tell me without water results if i personally am doing anything wrong or if it will be down to the water??

I hate loosing fish anyway, but they are dropping like flies and i am really beating myself up that i am to blame.

Your advice is greatfully received as always

 

[WILDER]

Has the tank cycled yet.

 

[neesymac]

sorry for being dim here, but do you mean a nitrite cycle?

If so yes, but i am waiting for my test kit to arrive to double check

 

[WILDER]

I would recommend a water change then till we have water stats.

 

[neesymac]

I have been told by my lfs to do a 10% water change every week - should i do a bigger water change than that?

Does it matter that i did a 10% change last night?

Thanks again Wilder

 

[WILDER]

Yes i would, as i don't no your water stats, just to be on the safe side.
Did you use the fish to cycle the tank, as it takes it toll on them, more fish die at the end sometimes.

 

[emma12321]

Hi neesy

If this is for the 125 litre tank don't buy any more bala sharks as they grow 14 inches and need to be in groups. The barbs you got should be in a group of 6+ so once your tank has settled you should add more. Until the tank is cycled you should be doing daily water changes to reduce the toxins in the water. Once cycled 20% a week is fine. It is important to test ammonia and nitrIte to know if it's cycled as these should both read zero.

Emma

 

[neesymac]

I have just been looking at the poorly fish now and it might not be the water - I think either the platy or the other barb has had a go at it as it has no eye on the right hand side.

I have just put it in a plastic container in the tank to keep it away from the other two.

Will this kill the fish and/or can i do anything to help it or make it as painless as possible?

 

[WILDER]

A fish can survive with one eye, how many barbs do you have.

 

[neesymac]

I have 2 barbs - the lfs told me to move my bogwood and plants around the tank as it may be down to territory but it's still having a go at the poorly barb.

It just sits in a plant or near the filter out of the way.

 

[WILDER]

Well if tank was cycled i would say get a bigger group, as you shouldn't keep no less than six, as this is why is happening.

 

[neesymac]

Ah right, so i get 4 more i should be ok - the only thing is that the poorly one is looking really poorly and i don't think will last very much longer.

So should i get the extra Barbs sooner rather than later? Do they have to be rosy barbs or can they be any type of barb?

 

[WILDER]

I wouldn't add anymore till the tank has cycled.
Just do a search on them, never kept them myelf, so don't know much about them.

 

[neesymac]

I have been looking at info on Barbs and they are meant to be kept in groups of 6-8. Do you think if this poorly one dies my local fish shop will take the one remaining one back?

Can you recommend any fish that are not so aggresive and will live with my platy that i have had since the start?

 

[WILDER]

Well i would ask the lfs, once the tank has cycled maybe 10 harlequins they are very pleasant fish, and some corys for the bottom.