Rummy Nosed Tetra

[steveb14]

I have recently set up my tropical fish tank , 2-3 weeks ago. I had the water tested a week ago and the shop said i could put in some great danio,s x6 which i did. 3 days ago i introduced 4 platys and 5 rummy nosed tetras. the tank is 300 litres. I have both plastis and real plants in. All the fish where great until today:
one tetra has died and another is very dithery. its black and white markings at the back arent as difined as the 3 remaining fish. They all swam together but this one is now isolated.
What is it,s problem, is it treatable and what should i do.
This fish seems to be in some distress and seems to have difficulty breathing and moving as quick as the others.
Thanks very much to anyone who can help.

If any one can advise me on which fish to add next and when i would appreciate it.

p.s. do you need to keep the filter on constantly and i,ve had varying advice on whether i should them once or twice a day .

thanks again for any advice.
regards Steve.

 

[Matty P]

Have you cycled your tank yet? You need to cycle a fish tank before you add any fish into it. Yes you keep the filter on all the time. Feeding them twice a day is fine as long as you do not put too much food in at once. It would probably be better if you had your own test kits.

Matt

 

[steveb14]

Have you cycled your tank yet? You need to cycle a fish tank before you add any fish into it. Yes you keep the filter on all the time. Feeding them twice a day is fine as long as you do not put too much food in at once. It would probably be better if you had your own test kits.

Matt

Thanks for your help Matt. I have cycled the tank and also have had the filter on all the time. I have just got a test kit (£20) i tested the amonia and ph levels and they are 7 ph and well under the 1.2 amonia problem level. So they seem perfect. I feel sorry for the fish , i dont want to do anything drastic chace it pulls through. I got a net isolation tank and was going to put it in there but i cant catch it !!! I dont think there is much hope though When sould i put a few sucker fish in for the bottom of the tank. I have bought some special feed for them. Do they eat all rubbish and algae ?

 

[wendywc]

My guess is there's an ammonia problem. Even if the tank was cycled, you added alot of fish within a few days of eachother. Test your water, annd if there is ammonia, get some ammochips... they do work. I've used it many times in the past for many acquaintance's tanks.

Always keep the filter and heater on and have the light on for about 10 hours a day. Only turn off everything for water changes (when the water level gets low) and do water changes every 7-10 days.

By the way, how are your rummynoses? Do they have bright, red noses? If not, that usually indicates a water issue or stress too. To answer you other question... After this problem goes away, wait a couple of weeks and you can look at stocking again. I'd add some bottom feeders to your list like, cories or smaller loaches. And then maybe a trio of angels or gouramis.

EDIT: Just saw your new post above. Do not add anymore fish now, not until the problem is sorted out. Ammonia level should be 0!

 

[steveb14]

My guess is there's an ammonia problem. Even if the tank was cycled, you added alot of fish within a few days of eachother. Test your water, annd if there is ammonia, get some ammochips... they do work. I've used it many times in the past for many acquaintance's tanks.

Always keep the filter and heater on and have the light on for about 10 hours a day. Only turn off everything for water changes (when the water level gets low) and do water changes every 7-10 days.

By the way, how are your rummynoses? Do they have bright, red noses? If not, that usually indicates a water issue or stress too. To answer you other question... After this problem goes away, wait a couple of weeks and you can look at stocking again. I'd add some bottom feeders to your list like, cories or smaller loaches. And then maybe a trio of angels or gouramis.

EDIT: Just saw your new post above. Do not add anymore fish now, not until the problem is sorted out. Ammonia level should be 0!

Cheers Wendy , the ammonia test i have just carried out was fine, water was clear when i added the chemical. The rummynoses that are ok are well coloured , bright red nosed and very defined black and white fine at the back. Thanks so much for your advice, will get some of the ammochips . I will leave whats in alone now for a few weeks then perhaps add a couple. I will monitor the water every few days .
Cheers Steve.

 

[wendywc]

No need for ammochips, if there's no ammonia. That's good news, but now I have no idea what's wrong with the tetras. Good luck diagnosing the problem.