what could be the problem?

[marsch21]

Hello,
I started my tank about 1 week ago. It is a 55gal. The tank ran for 24hr before adding the first fish. (pair of guppies and pair of mollies). About 3 days later added 2 more pairs of mollies. Since then all 3 male mollies died. They would start swimming erractically, jumping up and hitting the top cover then fall to the bottom. This problem is not currently affecting the females nor the guppies. The PH is 7.2. Temp is 78F. I added the recommended salt at startup. What could it be?
Thanks
Marsch21

 

[MAM]

my guess is, your tank is not cycled.

check out this post and article on cycling: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

(i'd explain it here, but that would mean a whole lot of typing, and they say it best there)

 

[Fishy Fishy Man]

Hi

I agree with MAM. You have added alot of fish pretty quickly. Do you have a test kit? Water specs would help.

FFM

 

[marsch21]

Thanks MAM and Fishy Man the post did help. I am aware of the cycling issue but I thought (here I go thinking again) that 8 small fish would not overburden the new tank. Especially being a 55gal.

I have tested the water's Ph but nothing else. Should I be testing for ammonia and nitrate at this time? What other testing should I do?

 

[marsch21]

Did I say Nitrate? I meant Nitrite

 

[marsch21]

I'm going to test the water and post the specs. Thanks for the help

 

[ferrikins]

Could there been an agretion problem as well, as the cycling stress.

I have one male that can't stand any other male molly in HIS tank. he fine with guppies and platties.Danio are better for cycling a tank. I afraid the Guppies won't last long, as inbreeding makes them very very weak.

If you loss more fish m,aybe replace with danio's and then when everything ok, if you can swop them at your LFS for livebearers.

 

[GuppyDude]

theres definately a water problem, and about the crazyiness, iv noticed in my guppys when ill have one get really sick they tend to spaz out right before death. i dont know if its just a mussel spazen after death or wat

 

[JacopoFishy]

Hello,
I started my tank about 1 week ago. It is a 55gal. The tank ran for 24hr before adding the first fish. (pair of guppies and pair of mollies). About 3 days later added 2 more pairs of mollies. Since then all 3 male mollies died. They would start swimming erractically, jumping up and hitting the top cover then fall to the bottom. This problem is not currently affecting the females nor the guppies. The PH is 7.2. Temp is 78F. I added the recommended salt at startup. What could it be?
Thanks
Marsch21

yikes yea, any and every tank needs to sit with the filter and heater (assuming its a heated tank.....) for [/I]at least 48 hours, although a week is better.

test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. also keep a close eye on aeration and temperature.

so sorry about your mollies.

 

[marsch21]

I tested the water and here are the results:

Temp 79
Ph 7.2
Ammonia 1
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 10

The existing fish are fine and will not add anymore until the tank has fully cycled. Thanks for the advice.
Marsch21