Rummynose Tetra And Ballon Molly.

[nickles123]

Hello everyone this is my first post and this is the only place I could think of as to where it would suit as a post.

I had 4 rummmynose and 4 Balloon mollies. I have a 30 litre love fish prism tank.

Since Saturday the water turned from crystal clear to a cloudy orange I used a siphon and did a 35% water change but no luck. It went orange again once i returned home. But when I took a closer look i noticed one of my rummynose had died. It was floating around. The other 3 rummynoses are acting weirdly, they are kind of fitting and sitting at the bottom of the tank. Yet, my mollies are fine? I will be going to the shop for a replacement and a moan tomorrow as it's too late now. I have a fair few pets im a good keeper and ALWAYS do research on pets before I buy them. But Pets at home here in london are usually good? Please advise! I don't want to wake up with no fish.

P.S the water checks were fine everything was okay. I also waited 3 days before adding fish to my tank.

 

[AshleyNZ]

If you properly researched, Rummynose tetra thrive in groups of 6+, the minimum tank size is 15 gallons, your tank is on the verge of only 8 gallons. This is too small. Just because it is the minimum size, does not mean the fish will thrive in it. Balloon mollies were too small for my aquarium, which is 65L, so your aquarium is too small for them. They also produce TONS of waste. How do you keep up with the cleaning to stop nitrite taking over? Your tank is overstocked, too. Balloon mollies need 30 GALLONS MINIMUM which is almost 100L. You need to do much more research on these fish before you buy them. Your tank would probably need very frequent water changes to stop over pollution by those mollies, which still wont ensure they remain healthy and happy. They need to be rehomed ASAP. All of them

Is your tank properly cycled? This process can take weeks to complete. Also, could you state your readings of the water? Saying the checks were "fine" does not have any meaning. Thanks. Ammonia, pH, Nitrate and Nitrite readings please?Be specific, as this really does help.

 

[Ch4rlie]

 to the forum.
 
Sorry to hear you have had a bit of a time with your tanks so far!
 
It does sounds as if your tank may be uncycled, I would suggest you have a read of this just in case you do not know.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
And can I ask how you say the water checks were 'fine', is this doing the water tests yourself or from a LFS staff saying this?
 
Ashley has some good points about the size of your tank being unsuitable for your fish, i'd suggest you have a look at this link and look at the 28 litre / 7 gal as these would be a bit more suitable for your tank once confirmed is cycled.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/
 
Sorry if these seem a little negative but we ARE here to help and advise you for what is best for you AND your tank.

 

[nickles123]

The research was not from the net. The research I done was from books in the store and what staff advised. All levels are zero. i used a test kit, I was going from the pet shop advice as they are suppose to be professionals. Il be going to the pet shop again later to talk to them and buy more equipment. And for them to replace the filter. I've had fish for a while and it's recently happened. I look after them well. If It comes to it il buy a bigger tank. Nick.

P.S

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate was 14 I got it to zero.

The water is still orange. Hence why im going back tomorrow. I take pride in my pets and went by the shops advice. I do apologise and will sort it tomorrow
Please be as blunt as you want.
I came here for help. Thanks guys.

 

[Ch4rlie]

LFS (Local Fish Store) do tend not to give the best advice sometimes am afraid. generally speaking they are more interested in selling you products rather than the actual welfare of your fish/stocking.
 
However there are some good LFS staff who offer good advice but i'd ask on this forum first before buying / purchasing anything as we're a knowledgeable  bunch who have been through similar experience that you're going into now.
 
By the way is that test kit a liquid or paper test kit? 
The paper test kits can be very unreliable, far better with liquid test kit.
 
No need to apologise by the way, mistakes have been made by all of us really and best to learn from these mistakes.

 

[nickles123]

It was a liquid test kit. All these checks were done before any of this happened. If it comes to it il rehome them or depends on my budget i will purchase a bigger tank.
I did everything I could they were fed properly, crystal clear water, and every time I done a water change I used tap safe. and then one day bam! Orange water and one fish expired.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Liquid test kit, good.
 
Well its sounds as if its a overstocking issue thats causing your losses, but am not sure what is the orange cloud is.
 
Normally cloudy water means a bacterial bloom, not the type you want though and does effect the tank as it may be caused by ammonia/nitrite spikes.
 
Did you clean the filter or anything like that recently?
 
Do your fish show any symptoms?
Like gasping, red gills, swimming erratically etc?

 

[nickles123]

Nope, I leave it be.

The balloon mollies are fine.

The rummynose swim with the balloon mollies and then the rummynose just sit at the bottom of the tank together do what looks like a fitting dance then play so to speak, and then go to the bottom again?

P.S no symptoms
The rummynose are also not eating.

 

[AshleyNZ]

"fine" does not mean the mollies are thriving. I would definitely rehome them. That tank is far too small.

 

[nickles123]

I can buy a bigger tank that's not a problem

 

[AshleyNZ]

When can you... I'd say you need it urgently.

 

[nickles123]

All done. I had no money for a bigger tank. I care for my pets.. And gave them back.
Nick.

I will clear this tank out let it cycle a few days then buy a gold fish.
Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Ch4rlie]

That's very good you have re-homed your fish, not easy but really is for the best.
 
Here comes the negative bits! Sorry.
 
A few days is not enough to cycle a tank am afraid, on average takes 4 to 8 weeks to cycle a tank from scratch. 
However if you ask LFS or friends who have a tank, for some of their filter media that will cycle your tank very fast.
 
Do read the cycle a tank link, that holds a lot of good information about bacteria and how to do a cycle.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
 
Sorry, but goldfish grow pretty big, depending on species so thats not really suitable for you 28 litre tank either.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/417799-goldfish-for-beginners/
 
Fancy goldfish are pretty much the smallest specie of Goldfish and they require a minimum of 30 gals which is about 115 litres.
 
Whereas the ones that are really cheap tend to be comets, these need a larger tank.
 
 
I would suggest again, to look at the link I already gave earlier for nano fish which would be suitable for your tank.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/
 
Have a look at these, if you don't know the specie just google them and you'll get an idea of what they are like etc
 
Hope that helps.

 

[nickles123]

Il do just that, il let it cycle for a good 4/6 weeks and get 1m chocolate gourami and 2f

Thanks guys, im glad I joined this forum.

 

[nickles123]

Nick.