Cycling Tank - Dead Fish

[Autonerd]

Hi all --

I'm cycling my 15 gallon tank and just came home to find one of my three danios deceased. (I know this could happen, but I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me!)

Follows is my water test log from the first day the fish were added -- if the gurus have any input, I'd really appreciate it.

Tank size is 15g, water temp is 78 degrees, I'm feeding every other day.

Date Ph Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate Water change
12/19 7.8 0 0 0 None
12/20 7.8 <0.12 0 0 None
12/22 7.8 <0.12 0 0 2 gal
12/24 (a.m.) 7.8 0.25 0 0 6 gal
12/25 (late pm) 7.8 0.25 0 0 8 gal ** One fish dead

Took a look at the dead Danio and, aside from his lack of movement, he seemed OK. Now, I had noticed that while two of the danios were very active, one stayed off by him(her)self, and the last couple of days he was hanging out by the filter outlet, swimming in the current. Not sure if that's the danio that died.

Any advice/input would be appreciated -- thanks!

Aaron

 

[Kevinp999]

Hi all --

I'm cycling my 15 gallon tank and just came home to find one of my three danios deceased. (I know this could happen, but I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me!)

Follows is my water test log from the first day the fish were added -- if the gurus have any input, I'd really appreciate it.

Tank size is 15g, water temp is 78 degrees, I'm feeding every other day.

Date Ph Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate Water change
12/19 7.8 0 0 0 None
12/20 7.8 <0.12 0 0 None
12/22 7.8 <0.12 0 0 2 gal
12/24 (a.m.) 7.8 0.25 0 0 6 gal
12/25 (late pm) 7.8 0.25 0 0 8 gal ** One fish dead

Took a look at the dead Danio and, aside from his lack of movement, he seemed OK. Now, I had noticed that while two of the danios were very active, one stayed off by him(her)self, and the last couple of days he was hanging out by the filter outlet, swimming in the current. Not sure if that's the danio that died.

Any advice/input would be appreciated -- thanks!

Aaron

Hi
I'm a Newbie but I'm sure you will get the same advise from the more experienced among us , firstly cycling with fish is not such a good idea and I can say that with experience it is cruel to the fish and will cost you money
You fish died from exposure to Ammonia, and the only way to try and recover this situation is to do 90% water change as required even if that is twice a day until such time your Ammonia level is zero , and then you will have to continue the water changes until your nitrite level is zero , good luck
In future please consider fishless cycling it really is the best way to set up your tank ,

 

[Aqua Tom]

Sorry about your loss.

0.25 ppm Ammonia is a dangerous level and is why your fish died . You need to do a 90% water change today, then another tomorow, then 50% daily changes until you are cycled.

Luckly your tank is only 15 gallons so the above is very doable.

Good luck

Tom

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

• In small numbers danios can become rather aggressive with each other and and tankmates, my hunch is this is what killed your danio.
• While you had 0.25mg/l ammonia readings for two days, if that was the true reading taken with a liquid test ket rather than inaccurate test strips, these fish would have to have been awfully weak to die so quickly.
• 78F is far too high for most danio species, but there are exceptions. If these are Leopard/Zebra Danios, they should be kept is the 65-70F range for most of the year, they are not "tropical" fish. They work well with other sub-tropical species like Redline Torpedo Barbs; Rosy Barbs; Peppered Corydoras; many "hillstream loaches" etc. when in a suitably sized tank (see below).
• Most common danio species are hyperactive fish that deserve far more space than a 15 gallon (~60cm long?) tank, they do far better in a 120+cm tank with a strong upper water current for them to swim against. They are one of the biggest exceptions to fish size versus tank size requirements

 

[Autonerd]

Thanks all -- will get to changing water right away. As for switching species, hmm, not sure what can be done about that... will talk to the pet shop today.

 

[Autonerd]

Q.If the fish had died from being attacked by another fish, wouldn't there be marks on the body?

Aaron