Rummy Nosed Tetra

[smr30]

hi
i am new to the world of fish and hv recently moved to this flat where the owner has left us an aquarium .
the problem is that i found one of the rummy nose tetra dead one morning and it was then that i decided to gain more knowledge abt it. another one of them has a rounded belly but is otherwise active ,but has started hiding at times.at all the different sites that i hv been to i couldnt find any info on it.pl if anyone can give me more details abt it and what action i need to take to keep them happy and healthy

 

[Miss Wiggle]

can you give us a bit more info so we can help you find out why this has happened

how big is the tank (either dimensions or how many litres or gallons it holds) and what are the fish in it (how many of each)?
do you have a test kit, if so what are your results for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
what equipment is on the tank, filter heater etc.... if you can get the make and model for the filter this might be helpful
what have you been doing to maintain the aquarium?

 

[smr30]

can you give us a bit more info so we can help you find out why this has happened

how big is the tank (either dimensions or how many litres or gallons it holds) and what are the fish in it (how many of each)?
do you have a test kit, if so what are your results for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
what equipment is on the tank, filter heater etc.... if you can get the make and model for the filter this might be helpful
what have you been doing to maintain the aquarium?

 

[smr30]

can you give us a bit more info so we can help you find out why this has happened

how big is the tank (either dimensions or how many litres or gallons it holds) and what are the fish in it (how many of each)?
do you have a test kit, if so what are your results for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
what equipment is on the tank, filter heater etc.... if you can get the make and model for the filter this might be helpful
what have you been doing to maintain the aquarium?

thanks for the reply .
the aquarium is 2feet /3feet approx ,in that we have 3 rummy nose tetra ,2 albino catfish, 2 clown roach and 1 more which i dont know the name of .when we took over the house the owner asked us to just keep cleaning the pumps regularly and feeding them . we give them a mixed diet of dried flakes and catfish pellats two times in a day and we have put a new serafil 380 aquarium filter cos the old one just stopped working one day. this pump i have been cleaning every 15 days approx.i have read abt certain fish diseases and read the symptoms but they dont seem to have any spots or fin rot .they are eating well and seem to be active.
truthfully speaking i never paid much attention to them till i found 1 fish dead one morning ,i mean in terms of their symptoms .the one with big midriff has been like this since atleast 20 days or more and actually i had thought her to be pregnant.she is now seeking places to hide and is not as active as others of her kind.but after this fish died i dont want to take any chance with the others .
i dont have any test kits and dont know abt the amonia nitrite or nitrate levels.the tank has a heater fitted and has a light tube fitted at the top.
i truly appreciate all the help given

 

[xoedusk]

The fish will thank you for seeking help. Welcome to the forums.

How exactly are you "cleaning" the filter. This may be killing off beneficial bacteria that comprises your biological filtration. If this sounds confusing, read up on the cycling pinned topic.

Are you doing water changes? If so, how frequently, and are you decholorinating the water?

What is the temperature of the tank?

How long ago did the old filter stop working? When did you put the new one in?

A water testing kit would help the fishies out. Bare minimum, get ammonia and nitrite test.

I have a feeling the ammonia/nitrites are high because you may be cleaning the pump in a way that kills of the bacteria. Cut down on feeding to once per day so the fish don't make as much waste.

 

[smr30]

thanks again.
well biochemistry was never my favourite subject but now i understand the imp of nitrogen cycle.
i think you may be right cos after reading the article u suggested i felt that may be this is the problem i will find out if someone around can test the water for me . meanwhile , today i noticed that there was lot of greenish growth on the side walls and lot of very tiny particulate material floating in the water. as for temp. there is an element and thermometer but i couldnt see any reading but there is a kind of strip on the outside of aquarium ,if that is giving the reading then it says 26 degree.
i have also prepared 5lt water for change with fresh start to bind cl.i was told to hold it for 24hrs before mixing with aqu water.when you talk abt water change i am supposed to remove and replace water,right.
as there is lot of place above the water level right now i am only adding ,the last was done almost 1mth earlier when the land lady showed me how to do it when water level comes down.
as for the filter the impeller of the last one broke one night almost 25 days back so we replaced it with a new one the very next day,and i was cleaning the foam kind thing inside with tap water the way i was shown ,but now i realise i should do it with aqu water only.
what abt the big bellied tetra should i do something abt it ,or wait and watch.
thanks for the prompt reply.