Rummy Noses

[itonlyrains]

I did read before that rummy nose tetras seem to be quite sensitive, but I really want to know what is the cause of them dying in my case and whether I can keep them at all. Three weeks ago I've ordered online a school of 11 out of which 2 didn't survive the shipping. Out of 9 introduced to the tank, two died within the first week (but not right away) without any symptoms other than being really slim (like they were not eating). Colouration of noses looked OK even if the fish itself was not fine. Now after a couple of more weeks I can only count 4 left, another one dead and being eaten by my amano shrimp and another two I assume already eaten.

My water parameters are good (I check almost every day with liquid kits), but water itself is very hard with pH of 7.5. Could it be that the water is too hard? Or maybe they just don't eat properly (I feed soft flakes mostly and they don't really go crazy like other fish). No any other fish has any problems in the tank.

I wonder if I should get more or its going to be a lost cause? Cheers.

 

[Mark Z.]

I have had trouble with rummy-nosed tetras as well. They often die in the bag before I get home. I only have one that has survived past the first few days, and I have had him for months. Wish I could get more, but the local stores don't offer them often. Perhaps this is why.

 

[Rummynose]

A ph of 7.5 should be fine for them but Rummynose Tetras don't handle stress very well.

They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite. But you said that those are fine. By that you do mean that you have a cycled tank and that they are at 0!?

What size is your tank, and what other fish asides from the Amano Shrimp do have with them?

 

[itonlyrains]

Yes, my tank is 6 months old and ammonia and nitrites are zero. Nitrates are 30-50 (20 is my tap water level). Since I dose micro ferts for the plants I do weekly 50% water changes.

As for the size - it's 150 litres and tank mates are a couple of platies, 3 guppies, couple of pearl gouramis, 6 otos and 4 Bolivian rams( these are quite young). I haven't seen any fish chasing tetras, but in presense of my large pearls and quite active bolivians their school was almost always swimming at the back of the tank. I'm guessing if they stress easily then school of just 7 after first 2 died (could be shipping stress) would not be large enough. May be I should get at least another 10 to give them better chance. I just hope its not the environment problem...

 

[Rummynose]

Yes, my tank is 6 months old and ammonia and nitrites are zero. Nitrates are 30-50 (20 is my tap water level). Since I dose micro ferts for the plants I do weekly 50% water changes.

As for the size - it's 150 litres and tank mates are a couple of platies, 3 guppies, couple of pearl gouramis, 6 otos and 4 Bolivian rams( these are quite young). I haven't seen any fish chasing tetras, but in presense of my large pearls and quite active bolivians their school was almost always swimming at the back of the tank. I'm guessing if they stress easily then school of just 7 after first 2 died (could be shipping stress) would not be large enough. May be I should get at least another 10 to give them better chance. I just hope its not the environment problem...

Having only four left may be adding to their stress, they may have been the strongest ones in the bunch, but maybe the shipment was a shipment of sick fish, so I would suggest to wait a bit to see if these four will make it.
If you do get more, you may want to try the drip method to acclimate them to your tank, they may be used to a lower ph and it would be gentler in getting them to adjust to your ph and other water parameters.
My rummies are eating flake foods, crushed sinking pellets for bottom feeders (I soak them before adding them to the tank, all my fish love looking for the morsels and pecking at them) and the rummies even eat algae wafers. Now and then they catch a few of the white worms I add for the blue rams!

 

[Tizer]

I have had trouble with rummy-nosed tetras as well. They often die in the bag before I get home. I only have one that has survived past the first few days, and I have had him for months. Wish I could get more, but the local stores don't offer them often. Perhaps this is why.

They are known for playing dead in the bags when stressed out. They can easily be shocked with water changes that reduce the temp too much. A Rummynose with a bright red nose is generally considered in good health, if its faded with very little colour, its an instant tell that water quality isn't good enough or its stressed for another reason.

 

[littlegreentiger]

I recently took some off my Dad as he was changing his tanks. It was a long-winded process and therefore a stressful day for the poor things. When I bagged them I had about half play dead and were actually floating upside down. I had never seen this before and with the first one I thought I must have accidentally squashed him when netting. I was gutted but then realised what was happening. It's definitely behaviour that should be highlighted with these little beauties so that they don't get themselves accidentally 'flushed' by someone assuming they're dead.

Back to the OP - I wonder if they were starving when you received them as you mention they were pretty skinny? If already weak from starvation then the combination of travel stress and PH shock may have been the cause.

*edit* corrected typo

 

[itonlyrains]

They didn't look slim when they arrived (albeit small as definitely not adults). I tried watching if remaining 4 are eating ok and could not see them doing it. One already not swimming with the other three and looks slim (when I say slim - it looks like their stomach area is sucked in, if is a person that we are desribing that would be deep breathe in). When flakes coming down they just swim between, not showing much interest. I'll wait a bit more to see if three survive...

 

[itonlyrains]

Only three left by now, but those look very healthy. Maybe get them more company after Easter holidays...