Crazy (and Dying) Danios

[Elsha]

We have a 16-gallon tank which is currently home to two danios, two neon tetras, and an algae eater. This is due to the fact that five danios have succumbed in the last week to some very strange behaviour. When any new stimulus is introduced into the tank - like a net to get a dead fish out - one danio will start darting around like crazy, corkscrewing down into the gravel, and eventually collapsing on the bottom and dying. It's heartbreaking because several times retrieving one dead fish has caused another to die.

The tank is kept at 26 degrees. We're still going through the cycling process, but lack of funds has kept us from being able to get all the test kits so I'm not sure about nitrite and nitrate levels. I've been doing weekly 25% water changes which I've upped to 40% daily over the last couple of days in an effort to do something. The tank had - we've removed these too in case they're a problem - several shells, an artificial plant, and a couple of ornaments.

I just really want to know what's going on with the danios. If all the fish die because we haven't cycled properly, I can accept that and fix the problem. When it remains unknown, it's extremely frustrating. The only good thing is that the algae eater is absolutely thriving. No idea why.

 

[WILDER]

If the tank hasn't cycled that why the fish are dying.
They have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process so it like living in a toilet.
Don't add anymore fish till the tank has cycled, added to many fish too soon.
Take a sample of your water to the lfs for testing and tell them to write the readings down for you.
Increase aeration in the tank, and add a tablespoon of salt.
Take some water from the tank in a jug, add the salt stir well till it disolves then add to the tank.
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm