Death Of Silver Shark

[ktw1983]

I got a silver shark a couple of weeks ago now and yesterday put in two platys. I got up this morning to find the silver shark had died It didn't look like it had been harmed or anything but just wondered if somebody could tell me whether the platys would have had something to do with it or if it is just coincidence? They certainly look harmless but you never can tell...

 

[raptorrex]

I got a silver shark a couple of weeks ago now and yesterday put in two platys. I got up this morning to find the silver shark had died It didn't look like it had been harmed or anything but just wondered if somebody could tell me whether the platys would have had something to do with it or if it is just coincidence? They certainly look harmless but you never can tell...

aww thats sad man!

how long has your tank been cycled? how large was the shark and how big was the tank you have. also do you have any water stats?

if you can fill in some of these, we may be able to help more.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yeah i agree with boboboy, need more info on your situation to find out what happened, the platys would definately have not cause the sharks death though- they are peaceful fish and would never kill a fish such as a silver shark, the sharks death was most likely down to something else.

 

[paul_219]

Need some more information. Tank size? What do u have? Water condition.

 

[ktw1983]

Thanks for everyone's responses...

I have a rekord 120 (let me know if that means nothing to you and I'll get exact measurements!). I've had the tank almost two months now and currently have an angelfish, 5 x-ray tetras, 2 neon tetras (three of these also died after a couple of weeks of being introduced), 2 platys and 2 very small plecs. The temperature is at 26C at PH7.5.
I'm getting really worried that I'm going to start losing more so really don't want to go spending more money before we've got this sussed.

 

[vinylman]

I wouldn't have a shark in a 120l, or an Angel, come to that. The Neons will probably end up as food for the Angel. Was the tank completely cycled before adding any fish?. Need to know ammonia and nitrite levels, too. The Plecs may be small now, but some can make it to well over a foot, do you know which type you have?. Chances are the deaths are down to ammonia and/or nitrite poisoning.

 

[raptorrex]

still need more info.

Did you cycle the tank? and Please Please dont get any more fish till you/we have sorted this problem out.

we could really do with some water test results, i know its going to cost money, something i myself hate to do, but it could well give us the key.

lastly, if we were honest, may of us started with some level of disaster. often this was the spur to us starting to really take an interest in the mechanics of our hobby. keep your chin up, i'm sure all here will do all we can to help!

 

[ktw1983]

Took a water sample to my local Pets At Home last night and the ammonia and nitrate levels are too high but I'm not really sure why - I think it's my fault for being too impatient. I was told to add some more plants (as we only had one in there) which I have now done. I also did a 25% water change (hope this wasn't too much) and added some Stress Zyme which was recommended as it is supposed to boost the filter development. It's going to be hard but I won't add any more fish until the tank is completely stabalised. How often should I be doing a water change in these circumstances and how much water should I change? Any other info on what else I can do to help my tank would be great. It's really upsetting that this has happened but I will not give up.

Also, I noticed that my angelfish has taken a liking to the smaller of my two plecs (he's only about two inches long) and I caught her nibbling at him. The plec didn't seemed fazed by it but what should I do... he's so cute I don't want to lose him!

 

[Christine1014]

Sounds like your tank is uncycled and overstocked - a cycled tank won't have ammonia or nitrite readings, and that's what caused your fish to die. Adding plants can help, but it's not going to cycle your tank for you.

Read this: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

and then this: http/www.fishforums.net/Fishless-Cycling-t113861.html

That will explain what's going on and how to get things fixed up. The best situation for your remaining fish would be to rehome them or give them back to the store for now until your tank is cycled. Otherwise you may lose the rest of them.
While your tank is cycling, you can read up on how to keep all your levels in check after you get going again: http/www.fishforums.net/Step-by-step-Gui...ce-t171045.html

Hope that helps; good luck! And of course, feel free to ask questions along the way.