Columbian Tetras

[llmdolphin]

I have a new tank that is just now two weeks old. I purchased, at the advice of the pet store, three columbian tetras to cycle the tank (29 gallons) and was told to do nothing to the tank for two weeks. The first week and a half was great. Those fish have played and played and played. However, for about 3-4 days they are staying at the bottom and two of them have scales missing and messed up fins. I can barely get them to come up to feed. The other fish is perfectly fine but I am thinking the little guy may have turned against his tank mates??? I have seen him chase during those first few days but I thought they were playing. The only thing that also concerns me about him is that he is also staying at the bottom and not swimming around. All three of them are staying hidden. The only other trigger that I can see is that one night the pump fell off of the back of the aquarium and pulled the two air stones out. I have an over the bak filter which moves the water around already and the bubble walls were really just because I like the way they look, etc. To my knowledge they are not required for the fish since water is being moved around by the filter. I have not fixed those back yet so they are not currently running.

I have checked all of my nitrates and ph and nothing has changed to an area of caution or stress through this whole two weeks......the highest the nitrates have gotten is 40ppm.....ph and temp still the same....

We were supposed to go on today to take the water in to the store to be tested and to buy new fish if all was well.....

Sooo....do my fish have some sort of disease or are they traumatized by the pump falling out and the air stones being ripped out??

Thank you,
Laura

 

[reg2k2]

When a tank is first set up, it goes through a process known as 'cycling'. During this time, you NEED to keep an eye on Ammonia and Nitrite levels--both toxic to fish. Nitrates are the end product, and as you have a reading, chances are you may be headed toward the end, but fish laying at the bottom can be a symptom of ammonia poisoning...these levels may still be high.

Check the Beginner's section pinned topics for more detail. Test for ammonia, nitrite...if measure is high, water changes will help to reduce them. In the end, these readings will be zero.

 

[llmdolphin]

When a tank is first set up, it goes through a process known as 'cycling'. During this time, you NEED to keep an eye on Ammonia and Nitrite levels--both toxic to fish. Nitrates are the end product, and as you have a reading, chances are you may be headed toward the end, but fish laying at the bottom can be a symptom of ammonia poisoning...these levels may still be high.

Check the Beginner's section pinned topics for more detail. Test for ammonia, nitrite...if measure is high, water changes will help to reduce them. In the end, these readings will be zero.

I dont have a test for ammonia but my 5n1 test strip does test for nitrite and nitrate as well as hard water, alkalinity and ph. My nitrites are at 0 and my nitrates are at 40.
Laura

 

[WILDER]

Have the scales fallen off with fighting, as falling off scales can mean a number of things, cycling a tank with fish can take it's toll on fish and there immune system can shut down causing desease, i would perform a water change, and get your waer tested, plus add an airstone for extra aeration.

 

[WILDER]

Not the writer of this information.
Scale Loss- If your fish are losing scales for no apparent reason (such as breeding) then it is commonly found to be caused from Myxosporidiosis. The only treatment for this is to keep doing water changes and get rid of the parasites. Symptoms: Fish gasping, pale gills.

 

[reg2k2]

Did you add any cycling products, ei. Cycle, Biospira at set-up? As I understand it, the cycling process usu. takes 4-6wks.

If the tetras are simply being shy (rather than laying at the bottom), gradually increasing their numbers may help....both with the hiding, and the aggression. Another thought (on the pump falling)...if tetras receive a scare, they let off a hormone? which alerts others to danger...this stays in the water, so a water chg might help there as well.

But as the tank's new, a water issue seems more likely. I would get a reading on the ammonia first, to be sure all's well.

 

[llmdolphin]

Not the writer of this information.
Scale Loss- If your fish are losing scales for no apparent reason (such as breeding) then it is commonly found to be caused from Myxosporidiosis. The only treatment for this is to keep doing water changes and get rid of the parasites. Symptoms: Fish gasping, pale gills.

Yes, I did use Cycle to help the nitrogen cycle along! The water change today and fixing the thermometer and putting the air stones back in has done wonders. They are swimming again and having a good time! Whew.... That is interesting about the "fear" hormone. I guess it could have been a total combination of all of these things that had them in a tizzy.....thankfully, we seem to be back on track.

Thanks for the advice and information everyone!~
Laura

 

[reg2k2]

Good news!

 

[llmdolphin]

Ok....addendum to the problem....the fish were doing so much better.....swimming around and seemingly normal. However, today it appears that their mouths may be a bit damaged?? And possibly their eyes seem larger???

I have no clue.....

 

[WILDER]

Are the eyes bulging out.

 

[llmdolphin]

Are the eyes bulging out.

maybe a little.....they look larger...maybe darker??

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like you have popeye.
http/www.flippersandfins.net/pop-eye.htm