Help- I killed my fish and I'm distraught

shirleycat · 07-19-2011, 01:18 PM

I haven't posted here in years and I may not again after this experience. I have a 40-gallon tank. It had two zebra danios, five neon tetras, two cory cats, and a grown common plec. I was planning to add more but wanted to be sure the tank was healthy. Yesterday afternoon one of the neons looked sluggish and was avoiding the other four neons. I thought I should do something and not wait till he was obviously sick. I added maracyn-oxy. I don't think I'd used it before as the bottle feels full. I accidentally added a little more than the correct dose. This morning I didn't check out the tank right away, and around noon I realized I needed to turn on the light which I did and discovered all the fish dead. OMG. I am distraught. I've been crying off and on. I've lost fish before - one or two, but not

the whole damn tank! I haven't removed them, as I haven't been able to face it; I may ask hubby to do it. I'm still upset and I'd appreciate anything from anyone that might help me get over this. (I don't' think I'm going to try to set up and stock the 40-gallon again.)

shirleycat · 07-19-2011, 02:31 PM

I'm feeling a bit better. It's funny, but shortly after posting my first message, I had a desire to remove the little critters; I thought, it's the least I can do rather than let them disintegrate in the tank. I think I also saw it as penance for not caring for them properly. So I got them all out, wrapped them in newspaper, and buried them outback near the house. I'd still like to hear your stories of multiple fish deaths and how you dealt with it, and if you went on to have a successful aquarium.

07-19-2011, 06:10 PM

Awe,Shirley cat I am so sorry. We have all lost fish. I had a bunch of my salties get sick and perish due to one newcomer I bought. It was awful watching them one by one die. When my fav fish passed I turned the tank into a freshwater. The cycling it all over and planning did help me get over my loss so..please don't give up, we all make mistakes. Plan something new for the 40 and take pics and keep us informed...we would like to see you make something of it again.

shirleycat · 07-20-2011, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the encouraging words. I'm just so frustrated because so often one doesn't even know what the problem is or how to treat it. I have a 10-gallon with one dwarf gourami (a male, I think), and two cory cats. I'd like for the gourami to have a larger tank. I have to break down the 40-gallon, clean it, etc., and then consider which species to add in addition to the gourami. When/if I'm ready to get the 40-gallon ready, I'll probably post here again for advice about what to add.