3 Guppies, 5 Neon Tetra, and 3 Weeks

Hepcat021 · 08-01-2006, 02:50 AM

I have just started my aquarium hobby. I have found myself generally obsessed with keeping them alive and healthy. Unfortunately I did not do the proper reading before I got my first three guppies. When I went to the pet store the sid it would be fine to set up a tank and put hardy fish into it only after 2 to 3 days. I ended up doing this.
When I got my fish home and put them in the tank after floating them for 15 minutes. they generally spent there time at the top sometimes gasping for air. I realized that I had the water to high to properly airate my tank, but my heater had a certain water level it needed to properly function that was to high.
After I realized that it heated the water one way or another my power went out for 5 days. Here in Missouri temps were sky rocketing and so was my tank. Somehow these marvel fguppies survived and by the time all this was over I was confident the tank was properly cycled and ready for what my wife wanted neon tetas.
Now I just bought 5 neon tetras and I am hopeful they will do well. One seems to be doing some odd behavior and I fear his death. Any helpful ihts or tips you experts can give me?

Bill(New fish lover)

ahill3780 · 08-01-2006, 12:15 PM

What kind of odd behavior are you seeing?

As a helpful hint that many dealers fail to inform you of when purchasing fish I should point out that simply floating the bag for 15 minutes to get the temp equal to your tank is not really enough. Floating the bag will bring the temp into equilibrium with your tank but it does nothing for acclimating your new fish to their new environment. The pH, alkalinity, and nutrient levels of the tank they came from at the LFS are not usually the same as would be found in your tank. Sudden changes in the water chemistry are stressful to fish, especially where pH is concerned. When you simply pour the fish into a new environment that they have not been conditioned to they can display odd behavior as a result of the stress impact. Some of this behavior comes in the form of hovering at the top of the tank and not moving very often or fast (this is shock), erratic or jerky swimming behavior, failure to accept food right away, and the always ever-telling floaters who could simply not take any more stress and they keel over and call it quits.

The proper way to acclimate new livestock is to first float the bag for 15 minutes to slowly bring the temperature within range. Next, open the bag and spoon in about 1/4 cup of the water from your aquarium into the bag and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Repeat this process over again about 4 or 5 times. After an hour of this slow acclimation the fish will have adapted themselves to your tanks parameters and it is safe to place them into your tank.

drfong · 08-03-2006, 12:01 AM

I would add that you should never pour the water the fish came in into your tank. After several times of adding tank water to the bag, pour the fish into a net over the sink, they put them in your tank. You never know whats in that water. Also, depending where you got the Tetras, some may die from being unhealthy fish. I have had several pet/fish store people tell me this. The ones that make it more than a few days will probably last a long time, but don't be suprised if some don't make it. You should also get a good water test kit. It will really tell you if the tank is cycled so you don't have to guess.

ahill3780 · 08-03-2006, 11:51 AM

Excellent point doc - I forgot to mention that.

Hepcat021 · 08-04-2006, 03:12 AM

I appreciate the help. I just want to say to anyone reading this who is considering a tropical tank that you really should read a lot about what it takes to have a tank. Mostly that you must wait for the cycling process to take place before introducing a fish(no matter how hardy). Also that even if your going to keep a small 10 gallon tank that it is expensive for those on limited budgets. It is very different then keeping mammals or birds mostly that they live in a delicate enviroment that must be just reight for them to be healthy and happy. Even though I have only been at it for a few weeks I can tell that caring for fish is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. I only hope that others will avoid mistakes I have made to keep from stressed and/or dead fish as well as personal emotional stress.

Thanks
Bill

ahill3780 · 08-04-2006, 10:43 AM

We're here to help!

I agree. Those points go for any type of aquarium you want to keep and aren't limited to just tropical fish. Always research, learn, and use good judgement when purchasing for your aquatic pets.

The way I like to think of this hobby is that we are not caring for pets, we are caring for an ecosystem. That's part of the appeal in my case!