Fish Dying!

[munkey2k2]

Hi,

I'm completely lost at what to do. I've had a tank now for 18 months and all was well until I bought some angel fish last week and introduced them into the tank. These fish didn't last long and now all my other fish have started dying. I've lost a silver shark, 10 neon tetra, a fighter fish, a black phantom tetra, and the 2 angel fish all in a week. I've done a 50% water change yesterday but last night I lost 2 molly's.

I don't know what to do so any help will be gratefully accepted!

Thanks in advance
Dan

 

[KittyKat]

More details please: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/2330-please-read-before-posting-to-emergency-section/

 

[munkey2k2]

I don't know the chemical balances of the water.

Tank size: 90 litre
tank temp: 25 degrees

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): fish slowing down until they just sit on the bottom and die.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 1 25% water change bi weekly and 1 50% change bi weekly

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: rocks and 2 live plants

Tank inhabitants: 1 neon tetra, 1 black phantom tetra, 2 bristelnose catfish, 4 red tetras, 2 mollies

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 2 angel fish

 

[KittyKat]

What are the water parameters?

It's a small tank for angels, but that should not have been the cause if they were young. It's probably a good idea to do another large water change today. How are the rest of the fish now?

 

[munkey2k2]

They seem ok, well what's left of em!

The angels were only small ones. They guy in the fish shop said they should be fine, but obviously somethings not right!

Do you reckon 50% will be ok again? Not that I'm questioning your expertise because I have no idea myself as I'm relatively new to the hobby, but will this mean the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels will change. A bit like new tank syndrome? I read somewhere that I shouldn't change the water too often as the balance goes in the tank.

Thanks
Dan

 

[KittyKat]

Another 50% water change wouldn't harm anything, just make sure to dechlorinate and that the temperature of the new water is matched.

No, there is nothing wrong with changing water often, it will not become "unbalanced" or anything like that. Problems arise if the water is not changed often enough (so usually less than once per week or so), but even that is not always true. As a beginner, you should try to change at least 20% of the water once per week. Also, a regular schedule is quite important too.

Clean water should not affect ammonia or nitrite and should only reduce nitrate.. but do get your tap water readings because some water supplies have ammonia in them.