Is this normal?

[tttnjfttt]

Last thursday, I brought home 5 Yellow Labs. One mysteriously died this AM, no signs of dissease, water is normal (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, pH 8.0, didn't check nitrate). I have another one who likes to lay on the sand quite a bit. Is this normal behavior, or should I be concerned.

 

[freddyk]

It's not abnormal for a fish to die for now apparant reason on us soon after getting them, we really don't know what they've been through, and resting on the sand is not really normal.

What size tank is this? Is there a decent amount of rock color? How big are the fish? Do the rest of them seem ok?

 

[tttnjfttt]

Two of the fish seem to be doing great. They are very active, swimming around and sometimes even schoaling with the tiger barbs. One tends to hide more, but he is atleast not laying on the ground. The fourth, that I posted about above, is full on laying on the sand. He does seem to be breathing fairly fast.

The tank is 40 gal, other tank mates include 5 tiger barbs, and two danios who will be rehomed soon. The labs are between two and three inches. It was one of the larger ones who randomly died, and one of the smaller ones who is laying on the sand.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I forgot to add, I have about 8-10 rock caves, and two plastic plants they tend to hide in at times.

By rock color, did you mean rock cover?

 

[freddyk]

Yeah, I meant rock cover. It doesn't look good for the one laying on the sand, I wouldn't expect it to last, but you never know. I know we've been through this before but you really should re-home the barbs whether you want to or not - mixing incompatible fish like this that 'appear' to get along only complicates things for yourself and the fish.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I know, i'm working up the courage to actually re-home them. the ironic thing is, the labs at times seem to school with the barbs. The barbs have also learned that the labs rule the tank, from when they were first combined.

EDIT: I've put the tiger barbs in the buy, sell, and trade section on this forum and on another one.