whisper

Ok so I have had two different batches of Blood Fin Tetras.Lost both. The problem is they are so delicate that if I leave the filter on(sponge filter) it kills them. I don't know if it's because they are so delicate they are getting sucked to the filter sponge and can't get off it or if the down flow return is to strong (sometimes I put a poly pad in the down flow to slow it down (but it still gets a scum on the top). But if I don't have a filter running the water gets a scum on the top. My question is how do I cure this problem? Do I just not have a filter running until they are bigger? Without a filter I get the scum plus when I feed them infusoria it makes the water foggy.

10gallonmadness

What kind of filter do you have. I'm assuming it's a HOB but I would like to check. Also, what about your water parameters, what kind of acclimation method did you use, what are your tankmates, and is your tank cycled. Anyway if you have a HOB type filter it helps if you add some panty hose to the intake tube so your fish won't get sucked up as easy. Well if you turn your filter off you will lose your beneficial bacteria colony on the media, and you will go into a mini-cycle. But please list if your tank is cycled and what your water parameters are.

aquarist48

Wow, they must really be a delicate species if they are getting stuck to a sponge filter. Are there any other fish in the tank? Do they appear weak before you find them stuck to the filter? Are your water chemistry readings ammonia, nitrite and nitrate where they should be?
Sorry that you're having losses.
ekn

whisper

Ok I just did some testing. Here's what I got. Ammonia.... between 0 and 0.25, pH ...7.6......Nitrite..... 0.1 . Also I just found about 6 fry. There may be more but they are just slivers and hard to see. Put the filter back on with sponge on intake.

Shawnie

most fish will NOT get stuck to a filter unless its total overkill..which I dont think yours is especially with the "scum" on the top means there isnt much current .......they are weak and stressed from an uncycled tank and that makes them less able to swim properly keep the filter going at all times and see if you can find some prime or ammo lock to do daily water changes..it detoxifies the ammona/nitrites for 24 hours until your next change.....you need to do this until the tank completes its cycle ....or if you can find some tetra safestart, that will cut some time off your cycle process....good luck and I hope things work out ok!!

aquarist48

Great information from Shawnie!
Best of luck Whisper.
Ken

whisper

This is a well established tank. I spawned and raised Tigar Bards in it also last month. The Blood Fin male and female spawned good and the eggs hatched it's just that like a day or two later they seem to start disappearing. Oh also I removed the pair after spawning.

Shawnie

well established tanks have mini cycles when we least expect it which yours is having...ANY ammonia / nitrite readings, means you lost the cycle.....I do hope things look up soon tho! with the water changes daily and something to neutralize/detox the ammonia/ntirite, it shouldnt take too long if it was well established....do you have a nitrate reading at all?

whisper

I don't have a nitrate test kit. Guess I should get one.