New Fish Are Not Good At All

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I've just introduced 2 new fish into my tank and they are not good at all, all they are doing is sitting at the very bottom of the tank, not really moving. The worst one is just listing to one side. My water stats are fine. Always test them if going to get new fish.

I think the stress is killing them and i'm really not sure what to do.

Any advice would be great

thanks

 

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Udate, one now seems to be swimming about, the ohter still on the bottom of the tank, but moves a little.

 

[Davo86]

what type of fish are they?
Also how long have they been in the tank and how long were they transported?

 

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Heres a pic, this one has lodged itself inbetween the glass and a plant. They seem to swim a little then look as if they are about to die. It took me about 20 mins to get from the fish shop to my house, then i probably kept them in the bag floating on the water for about 30 mins.

Edit: the fishin the picture is breathing v slowly and looks very laboured.

 

[J.H]

did you add any of your tank water to the bag?

 

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yep. I've also added some melafix, not sure if that would do anything. They were fine at the shop.

 

[DarkEntity]

Did you gradually mix your tank water in with the bag water so the fish didnt get a shock from differing water paramaters.

Also what are your water parameters?

Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH?

 

[kpintheshed]

if you did mix your water in the bag how long did you leave the fish in the bag to get use to?

 

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left the fish in the bag for about 20-30 mins roughly.

I'll get the water parameters in about 10 mins.

 

[Topazlizz]

If those are SA cichlids of some kind, there are many that get very scared of a new tank. Listing to one side seems a little worse than sheer fright though. Any shoaling fish in the tank, for that soothing effect? Were your lights on or off during the introduction process?

 

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I think one of them has not got long left as it's laying on it's side. it keeps flipping about but it's not looking good. The other one is just sat on the gravel on the bottom of the tank.

 

[Topazlizz]

Sounds quite serious. No problems while still in the bag? Perhaps you should net them out and put them in a bucket of conditioned fresh water until we know what's wrong - with the one on its side you don't seem to have anything to lose.

 

[DarkEntity]

left the fish in the bag for about 20-30 mins roughly.

I'll get the water parameters in about 10 mins.

Yes i know you floated the bag, but what i meant was did you mix your water with the bag water? If not then if the parameters are very different that could be a contributing factor to the problems.

 

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The fish thatwas on it's side has sadly died.

My water paramiters are:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0? Tapwater nitrate 10.
PH 7.4

I'm a bit baffled by the nitrate reading though. Should be more than 0. I'm going to retest.

I mixed the water in the bag before letting them into the tank, but it was when the fish were let into the tank that they started having problems.

 

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Redone my nitrate, 40.