Platys Are Dead!

Murphee · Apr 27, 2009

Hi, i have a 25g, with 2 black mollies, 2 leapord danios and i recently (just 2 days ago) added 6 platys, 2 red ones, 2 mickey mouse ones, and 2 black and orange ones. I woke up this morning to find the 2 mickey mouse ones gone, floating on the surface

I realize that this tank may be too small for that many fish, also there is a smallish common pleco in there, he is a little over 3 ''. Would he of eaten them. I did not know whther i could keep plecos with these if so, my lfs told me a while ago that all thee fish would get on fine together in my tank. It is not really my tank, its my little sis's, but i got it for her and i am really devistated that this has happened. Before anyone asks yes the tank was cycled, and has been setup for a bout 2 months, i originally had 4 danios 2 mollies and 5 neon tetra, but 2 danios and all the neons died also

ANy idea why this is happening? is it the type of fish i am housing together?

Any help info advice etc.. appreciated, What do you suggest i do?

fatheadminnow · Apr 27, 2009

I would personally say that when you added the new batch of fish, that you added too many at one time, thus, giving you an ammonia spike and killed off some of the fish.

Next time, try not to add so many fish at once, especially in that size of tank. The ammonia produced by 6 fish added at once is going to be pretty concentrated in a 25 gallon tank, and it would take a while for your beneficial bacteria to colonize to the new "bio-load."

-FHM

CKutz · Apr 27, 2009

does the lfs seem like a good one?
they could just have very poorly stock?
are you accilimating the fish (floating bag in tank and adding little bits of water slowly over 45 minutes)?

arobinson1984 · Apr 27, 2009

Also avoid adding anymore neons as ideally then need a tank 6 months old. I agree that you probably added too many fish at once and it caused an ammonia spike.

Unless your lfc seems like a very good and reputable one, dont listen to them, most are out just to make money and dont care about the well being of the fish they are selling.

If your plec is a commen plec then it will quite quickly outgrow your tank as they get massive.

Andy