Do I Need More Fish ?

[alex123]

i have just set up a small tropical tank and after i let it cycle for a week i put 4 tetras in as there a hardy fish and 2 have died now (seemed to die of swim bladder???) the other two left are very inactive and have been so for the last 4-5 days

is it because the fish need to be in groups ???

thanks

 

[tenohfive]

When you say tetra's I'm assuming youre talking about neon tetras? If so, your LFS lied to you - they aren't hardy fish, not any more. They were once but recently most people have problems with them in new tanks.

Whatever your preferred method of cycling, the tank won't have cycled in a week. Read this:
http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...shless-Cycling/

Have you got a water testing kit? If you have, check your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. I reckon your ammonia will be through the roof, in which case you'll need to start doing daily 50% water changes.

 

[alex123]

no have not got a testing kit, i should really

there not neon tetras i cannot remember the name of them but they have a black and white tail with a red head

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

There are a couple species that might describe but sounds like a Rummynose Tetra. They are definitely not fish to cycle with as they are very delicate. In any case, the 2 that died were most likely from ammonia poisoning. You really do need a test kit. For now though, start with a 50% water change and do another one in about 4 hours. After that, do a 25% change twice a day until you can get a test kit. Don't add any more fish until you have a test kit and you know that your readings for ammonia and nitrite are at 0 for 3 days in a row. When you get your test kit, make sure you get liquid and not strips. The strips are terribly inaccurate and more expensive too once you figure how many test you get for your money. Also, the 5-in-1 strips that every store sells doesn't test for ammonia which is probably the most important test in a new, cycling tank.

 

[fishsupper]

As said your tank needs to cycle and since your cycling with fish you need to go and get a liquid based test kit ASAP.
API master test kit is a good one to get.Be prepard for a lot of water changes How long have you had your fish.you could try and rehome them or take them back to the LFS you got them and do the fishless cycle

 

[fishsupper]

API TEST KIT

http/i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm105/r...258678080_1.jpg


OOPS a little small will try again

There you go

http/i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm105/r...258678080_1.jpg

 

[alex123]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

There are a couple species that might describe but sounds like a Rummynose Tetra. They are definitely not fish to cycle with as they are very delicate. In any case, the 2 that died were most likely from ammonia poisoning. You really do need a test kit. For now though, start with a 50% water change and do another one in about 4 hours. After that, do a 25% change twice a day until you can get a test kit. Don't add any more fish until you have a test kit and you know that your readings for ammonia and nitrite are at 0 for 3 days in a row. When you get your test kit, make sure you get liquid and not strips. The strips are terribly inaccurate and more expensive too once you figure how many test you get for your money. Also, the 5-in-1 strips that every store sells doesn't test for ammonia which is probably the most important test in a new, cycling tank.

yer just done a 50% water change, will go and get a test kit and see what it happens

how much are they

 

[rdd1952]

Not sure where you are located (would help with later questions if you at least put your country in your profile as some products available in the states aren't available abroad and vise versa) but in the US, a API master test kit is about $25 at Petsmart. You can probably get it at any of the chain stores that sell fish supplies for about that price. If you find it on Petsmart.com, print out the page and take it to the store they will match the online price which is usually cheaper. You may have to get them to call a manager to the register to do it though.

 

[tenohfive]

If you're UK based, they go for anywhere between £18-25 on ebay.

 

[alex123]

If you're UK based, they go for anywhere between £18-25 on ebay.

yer uk based cheers

 

[tenohfive]

Its worth sticking your rough location up on your profile - the other way to get a ready cycled tank would be to get some mature media (the stuff inside the filter that the ammonia eating bacteria lives in.) Theres a few people who'd be willing to help you out and donate some to you if you don't live far away.