Pale Tiger Barbs

[benjaminhom17]

Hay guys I have 5 gallon tank that had originally 5 tiger barbs, I noticed a dead one a few days ago and removed it. A couple days ago I noticed there were only 3 fish swimming around and couldnt locate the fourth, I assumed it was in the pirate ship that acts as a cave. Today i saw they were all pale and decided to check the filter and I found a dead fish in the filter, I changed out 50% of the water and changed the filter. I had tested the water prior to the water change and all the tests came back fine nothing over the acceptable level. Ph is about 7 but the water was a little hard(normal for my aquarium). Could the dead fish that was stuck in the filter be causing the paleness to the other fish?

 

[onidrase]

What did your ammonia and nitrite read? the only thing the dead fish would be causing would be a spike in ammonia. Is your tank fully cycled?

 

[benjaminhom17]

The ammonia was 0 and the nitrates and such showed fine according to the strip and the tank shouldnt be fully cycled I got it about 2 weeks ago and have been doing the 10% change every other day.

 

[onidrase]

The ammonia was 0 and the nitrates and such showed fine according to the strip and the tank shouldnt be fully cycled I got it about 2 weeks ago and have been doing the 10% change every other day.

That's why they're pale and dying. You're in a fish in cycle and 10% every other day isn't enough to keep ammonia and nitrite down. Test strips are also horribly inaccurate. You'll want to get a liquid test kit instead.

 

[benjaminhom17]

I would have thought the test would have showed a little ammonia or nitrates if that's the cause, guess ill have to ask for a liquid test kit for Christmas.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Well in the meantime, do a 50% water change every day, right after you do a 90% change now. The test strips showing 0 are what is meant by horribly inaccurate. The fish are producing ammonia and your tank isn't cycled, so you need to do the 50% water change every day just to keep them swimming and living in fairly decent conditions until the tank is cycled.

You should also ask for a bigger tank for Christmas. It's devilishly hard to keep a 5 gallon tank steady.

 

[Man of fish]

+1

Just to add on 50% and 90% change won't take long on a 5 gallon tank. Takes me 30 minutes to do a 50% on my ten gallon so less than that prolly on your 5 gallon.

 

[onidrase]

And for future references, 5 gallon is too small for tiger barbs. They should be kept in a tank at at least 2 feet long. preferably 2 and a half.

 

[Man of fish]

That's what I was gonna say but wasn't sure. So +1. Also shouldn't it be like 8+ per school or something?

 

[onidrase]

That's what I was gonna say but wasn't sure. So +1. Also shouldn't it be like 8+ per school or something?

6 is fine with pretty much any schooling species. But as always, the more the better.

 

[Man of fish]

Oh ok.

 

[benjaminhom17]

Yea I dont think ill get a larger tank anytime soon my dad opposes the fish already as it is but ill go ahead and do the 50% change every day now. Thanks a lot guys!!!

 

[Mowbz]

I bought 6 juvenile tiger barbs on Friday for the 4ft, and decided the following morning to o and buy 6 more as they really seemed lost, sticking tightly together. Now there are 12, they're happy to split up and interact with the Kribs.

Based on the above, i would try to get a bigger tank, and get them more friends.

Ben