Glofish Not Swiming

[Sprite]

Tank size: 10 US Gallons
pH:7.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0
kH:-
gH:30
tank temp:79 Degrees F

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): All of our fish (4 glofish, 1 tetra (not sure which type), and 2 neon tetras) died within 12 hours of adding in new gravel. There was only one fish left, a large green glowfish (a zebra fish species, I believe). We found out that the problem was that the pH of the water was too low -- 6.0. So we moved the fish to ensure that it would live inside of a plastic container filled with fresh R/O water from our local pet store. It took ~48 hours to fix the pH issue, so we moved the fish back into the main tank. Once inside, we noticed that it was being thrown around in there. The fish was being thrown around by the current of the filter and seemed to be dead, but was not. That brings us to where we are now, the fish is on the bottom of the tank, just sitting there with the filter turned off.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 50% (5 US Gallons) every month or when needed (high ammonia, high nitrite, etc.)

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Neutral Regulator

Tank inhabitants: One Glowfish

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 2 neon tetras, one tetra, gravel, and one plant (amazon sword, I think)

Exposure to chemicals: None


Thank you

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Hope he makes it. Did you cycle your tank? And neon tetras need schools of 6 or more.

 

[Sprite]

Hope he makes it. Did you cycle your tank? And neon tetras need schools of 6 or more.

He actually just died. I went to check on him and he had no gill movement for 10 seconds -- what I've heard is the "expiration" date of the fish.

Thanks for the info about the neon tetras, that would explain why they both died in 12 hours before we even added the gravel and everything. And yes, the tank is fully cycled so we will just need to start over

 

[zain611]

Did you add the gravel in when the fish were in the tank because you may of really stressed the fish like someone is dropping boulder on you, you would be very scared When i was changing my sand to gravel and i had my goldfish in my tank in the sig. i took out the goldfish and took out the water to the bottom then i had to scoop up the sand which took 2 hours as they are grain size. i put my goldfish in a bowl by the way. i then got some gravel which i had for 10 years and cleaned it in a bucket properly. i then put it in my tank and luckily it covered all of the surface

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

79F is awfully warm for Glofish and Neon Tetra, keeping them permanently at that temp will do them no favours, especially the Glofish (genetically modified Zebra/Leopard Danios) that do well i heaterless tanks that sit at ~68F.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, it sounds like you have been putting these fish through rapid major water chemistry changes, when changing the hardness of the water the change should be very slow (drip feeding over many hours). Pure RO water contains virtually no minerals or hardness at all, this is why it should be re-mineralised or mixed with tap water before introducing it to the fish, otherwise it will have no buffering capacity to prevent major pH swings.

50% water changes every month (unless signs of ammonia or nitrite) is not nearly enough maintenance, you should doing something on that sort of scale every week without fail. Small volume tanks, especially those <60l, can turn toxic very rapidly as there is very little water to dilute any bad compounds.

Without talking about your stocking, I'm sorry if this reads like I'm taking pleasure out of critising a lot of information you have provided, I am merely trying to give you some pointers as to what may well have contributed to the death of your fish.

 

[Sprite]

Did you add the gravel in when the fish were in the tank because you may of really stressed the fish like someone is dropping boulder on you, you would be very scared When i was changing my sand to gravel and i had my goldfish in my tank in the sig. i took out the goldfish and took out the water to the bottom then i had to scoop up the sand which took 2 hours as they are grain size. i put my goldfish in a bowl by the way. i then got some gravel which i had for 10 years and cleaned it in a bucket properly. i then put it in my tank and luckily it covered all of the surface

I'll keep this in mind

79F is awfully warm for Glofish and Neon Tetra, keeping them permanently at that temp will do them no favours, especially the Glofish (genetically modified Zebra/Leopard Danios) that do well i heaterless tanks that sit at ~68F.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, it sounds like you have been putting these fish through rapid major water chemistry changes, when changing the hardness of the water the change should be very slow (drip feeding over many hours). Pure RO water contains virtually no minerals or hardness at all, this is why it should be re-mineralised or mixed with tap water before introducing it to the fish, otherwise it will have no buffering capacity to prevent major pH swings.

50% water changes every month (unless signs of ammonia or nitrite) is not nearly enough maintenance, you should doing something on that sort of scale every week without fail. Small volume tanks, especially those <60l, can turn toxic very rapidly as there is very little water to dilute any bad compounds.

Without talking about your stocking, I'm sorry if this reads like I'm taking pleasure out of critising a lot of information you have provided, I am merely trying to give you some pointers as to what may well have contributed to the death of your fish.

Thanks for all of the criticism, I appreciate it. Our home is usually warmer since we live in Florida and the summer average is ~90 degrees F. When you say the RO water doesn't contain the required minerals, what do you suggest? Is conditioned tap water preferred?

Thanks!