New Fish.. In Shock?

[sammy86]

I just purchased a Butterfly Loach from my LFS, He came from a tropical tank (i know some shops keep them in cold water) i brought him home, did the usual climatising. After a hour i slowly introduced him into the tank.

He went absolutley nuts, he swum around really fast, not knowing where to go he did this for about 30 seconds, then he floated to the bottom onto his back. He's still alive and "sticking" to the sides, but he seems in severe shock. i've put him in a little plastic fry tank.

I've never seen a fish act like this, there was no temp difference and my water tests all come back fine.

It's a 110 litre with shrimp and 3 guppies, lots of hiding spots etc.

I took all the correct steps in climatizing him, was he just frightened of his new tank?

 

[snazy]

What exactly are your water parameters-ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte and Ph.
How did you acclimate him? I wouldn't think he died from scare like that.
It's possible the Ph in his water and yours was way different and you didn't acclimate long enough.
Also, do you have other fish in the tank that are feeling ok. If not, maybe your tank is contaminated with something, soapy hands, chemicals, etc..
Did you dechlorinate the water in the tank...

 

[sammy86]

I dont have a PH test kit, however i slowly added small amounts of water into the bag before i added him completly to the tank.
I floated him for an hour before i put him in, which ive always done and never lost a fish.

The tanks nitrates and ammonia are 0, there are three guppys and some shrimp which are all showing no signs of illness.
No chemicals have made contact with the water - i'm always very careful because of the shrimp.


It was almost like a panic attack. He went nuts then seemed to pass out. hes still breathing and moving his mouthparts, but otherewise non responsive. I've placed him in a breeding tank in the hopes he'll recover.

the only thing i can think of is i have quite a strong current from my filter, when i put him in, he acted like he was dashing around to find somewhere safe but couldn't find it. The tank his heavily planted and full of bogwood.

 

[CezzaXV]

I bought a dwarf gourami this week, and I must say I've never seen a fish look so stressed. When I was drip acclimatising him in his bucket he was lying on his side often and when I released him he was breathing really heavily. I was really scared he was going to die from it. A few hours later he was absolutely fine and continues to be.

You seem to have done everything right, so I'd say just put him in the tank and what will happen will happen.

 

[sammy86]

he died about 40 mins after he went into shock - I can only assume he found the journey home/new tank too stressful. I'll return to the LFS tommorow. I feel so guilty, but i did everything as i normally would, poor little thing! I'm not going to get another, i don't want to risk another reacting this way.

 

[CezzaXV]

Aww, I'm sorry. Most good LFS should have a policy that covers you if your new fish dies within 24/48 hours of purchase, so hopefully you won't be out of pocket.