Who Is The Culprit?

[newkeeper1982]

Good Evening,
I am new to this forum and to fish keeping! Our aquarium has been going for about 6 weeks now and its been going very well until a couple of days ago
Some of my fish have disappeared and I would like to find out which of my other fish have eaten them!!
I started with 8 Kribs (of varying ages) and 6 Neon Tetra, all was well. I then added 4 Pearl Danios and 2 Platy's about 2 weeks later. 1 1/2 weeks ago I bought 5 Cories as there was food not being eaten on the bottom of the tank. In the last 2 days all my Tetras are gone. I don't want to blame the Cories as I don't know if its them as it may be coincidence that I added them the same time my Tetra's went. Can anyone shed any light?
Many Thanks

New Keeper x

 

[Caprichoso]

I would say the Kribs. There is mixed info when it comes to putting them in a community tank with small fish like Neons. Neons tend to become snacks for many fish in fact. I can't see the other fish as the culprit, they are all pretty peaceful fish.

 

[elisew]

Is the tank fully cycled? What test kit do you use and what are the readings?

 

[micko]

Quite a few fish there. What size is your tank?

 

[MBOU]

Most people will say kribsand to be fair, if it was fish, they would most likely be culprit!! I would cut down to one pair of Kribs, they are easy enough to sex, they will only end up killing each other over territories later.

Personally, i'd say you have had a fluctuation in water quality, this will require people to as a LOT of questions, but if they can be answered, its an easy solution if the answers are honest

You up for a quiz?

 

[newkeeper1982]

Thanks for your replies.
Caprichoso- I immediately thought the Kribs as I have read they will eat other fish and that the other fish were 'peaceful' but I had reservations as its taken 6 weeks for them to be eaten. I also asked at the time I bought the Neon's if they would be ok with Kribs and got told yes!

Elisew- The tank was set up for 2 weeks before we got the Kribs. I used Interpret New Aquarium Start Up Kit for the first 3 weeks. Then, once the pH and Nitrite testers had gone I bought Tetra 6 in 1. We have done a 50% water change (3 weeks ago as water went brown although still perfectly clear) and all has been well. I do a test once a week and its been in the Safe and OK brackets since the water change.

Micko- Tank is 80 litres.

Mbou- If you think thats a good idea then I'll do it- although my Uncle has kept Kribs for a good few years and his all live happily together and with other fish

Another quick question- the water is a light brown/green colour but perfectly clear and the water readings are good- is this normal?

Thanks

New Keeper

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

When you say readings are safe? Is that 0 for ammonia and nitrites. As that is the only safe readings for the fish.

That could be why you have lost your tetras as they have more than likely died and been eaten and or disintegrated

 

[newkeeper1982]

Yes, the tests seem to show that everything is OK!

 

[holidayinn]

I would still think water quality, what type/brand of test kit are you using? Strips or test-tubes?

Neon tetra's aren't recommended for new tank setups, very fragile. Vast inbreeding has led to shorter life-cycles for these fish and a 17 gallon tank containing 8 kribs + Others..I would think after 6 weeks, thats the issue. When was the last water change? DO you gravel vac?

 

[newkeeper1982]

Thanks for the reply I use strips to test the water- should I try a different brand? Last water change was 2 weeks ago but will be doing another this evening! I don't gravel vac as the Cories seem to be doing a grand job of looking after the gravel!

 

[lilfishie]

Strips are crap to be honest, you will need a liquid test kit, more expensive but 100 x more accurate if the fish had died, all the others would happily dispose of any remains

 

[Harlequins]

These test strips does not test ammonia from what i remember,so therefore adding quite a few fish,you probably had a ammonia spike which poisoned the fish.

Corys are very friendly and certainly has far has i'm aware dont attack or eat fish if they are healthy,although the may munch on a dead fish.

Kribs and corys aren'y the best combination,if the kribs decided to breed then they will become very aggressive near the bottom of the tank and the corys will end up getting maimed or even killed.

Has mentioned you better off getting a liquid test kit that tests for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate & ph,Api is commonly used and available on ebay for around £20.

 

[holidayinn]

For me gravel is a must. Cories will clean up what they can but they will produce waste. Not needed on every waterchange, but would advise to gravel vac now and then.

 

[lilfishie]

Cories are not cleaner fish, they need there own food too, they won't eat scraps or poo they just sift it about so it eventually goes into the filter, also cories do better with sand substrate, they can live on smooth gravel but tend to loose there barbles

 

[Harlequins]

Personally i think gravel is not good for corys and you should use the gravel vac more with gravel and corys,due to possible damage wear on the corys barbels over time whilst hunting through gravel can lead to erosion and bacterial infection has food gets lodge in between gravel.