dbridges11

Help with fairly new set up. My aquarium was doing so good until last week this is what happened now I'm not sure if I need to do something or if I did something wrong and what I need to do ? These are the fish that I had at first 3 tigger barbs, 2 amazon leaf and 2 honey gold gouramis.

First Last Thursday 5 days ago I did a gravel clean with the siphoning unit, (it was alot harder than I thought) anyway so after that I of course had to add 25% of the water back , I used well water with a water conditioner Tetra Aqua Safe (according to directions read three times) everything seemed to be going good. Then Friday the next day went to the pet shop and picked up 2 more Tiggers, 2 Pictus Catfish, 2 Bala Sharks and 2 commom plecostomus, on the day they were added slowing as directed on bag, one of the tigger fish wouldnt hang out with the others, the new ones were a bit smaller then the original 3, but they all seemed happy, this one tigger hung out by himself and barely moved, then Sunday he died. I of course freaked out what happened to him was he sick when I got him or is something in my tank off. I did a water test everything is good except my pH it is 8.1-8.2,
I have literally been on line looking at everything I can find about all fish and all chemicals for many hours.

I do not know what to do, the pet store told me to add some PH down to the water, to take the filters out before I do this, but then again she told me that tigger fish were OK only being two to a tank (everything else says 5 or more) so I don't want to add any PH down chemicals unless this is going to help and not hurt my fish. Also it appears that one of the tigger fish is swimming up and down the side of the glass, is it getting sick?
She also suggested I get some Pimafix (antifungal remedy) although I see no fungal on my fish but the tigger does look a bit red, but then some do don't they? I have a video of the tigger swimming up and down the wall but dont know how to add to this message. I will look that up as well and maybe add it next.

Please advise as to anything I should do or shouldn't do? I hate not doing things righ the first time and am wondering if I didn't make a huge mistake by taking these fish lives in my care. I know there is a load of stuff on this website to help me and I have read for hours and have notes written down but still need to know what exactly is my next step. Thanks so very much for your knowledge.

dbridges11

Shawnie

Hi dbridges ...welcome to fishlore!! sorry for the loss of your fish I think your worse problem right now is the tank isnt cycled...unless you used bio spira or some filter media from an older cycled tank, 125 gallons takes more than 3 weeks to cycle ..also, adding so many fish at one time, could have stressed them more...at this point, id not do anything about the ph but continue to do at least 50% water changes a day...treat the tap water of course and do this until you have ammonia 0 nitrites 0 and nitrates under 20..what are you using to test your water?? API liquid test kit has it all so most of us use that....hope some of this helps...its frustrating but well worth it in the end when the tank is a happy place

Lucy

Hi dbridges,

Welcome to FishLore.
You could have a couple of things going on.

What test are you using and what are the readings for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?

3 weeks, your tank may not be fully cycled.

When adding new fish, it's a good idea to quarantine them for a couple of weeks in case they are sick, they won't infect your whole tank.

When adding new fish, you should only add a couple at a time so your bacteria has time to catch up to the added bio load.

Keep in mind, I have no where near the size tank you have, but I'm guessing, the same holds true for whatever size tank someone has.

Fish can normally adjust to your PH, so messing with it isn't a good idea, otherwise, you will always be adjusting it with a chemical.

I haven't added up the number of inches per gallon you have, just be careful not to overload.

You've come to the right place, others will be here shortly to help you.
Good luck.

dbridges11

Thanks Lucy and Shawnie for your help.
I cycled for several weeks and also had two used filters. I have the API master test kit-Liquid and the Amonia is 0 nitrite is 0 and the nitrate is between 5-10. I guess I need to get a smaller tank to quarantine the new ones until I find out if they are OK . Did you see the video of the tigger? Is this normal ? I know nothing, as a matter of fact my sucky fish took a poo and now I think that he might have the Nematode illness, but my husband said no that is the way it looks? Long and stringy, but I saw where if their po is thread like and long it is an illness. Wheewww I really enjoy my tank but it sure stresses me out right now. Thanks again

COBettaCouple

I would leave the pH as it is, altering it can give you a roller coaster effect with the pH and be hard on the fish. The need stable pH most.

I would recommend 25-40% water changes every day or 2 and treating all water with a conditioner called Prime. It will help protect the fish from toxins while the tank cycles.

I'm not sure on the tigger fish, but Vita-Chem, Fish Protector and Garlic Guard are all good general purpose things that may help and won't be hard on the other fish.

Shawnie

yes the tigerbarbs do look normal..they like to be in schools of 6 or more tho..so if indeed you are cycled, it could just be something with adding so many fish at once...as cobetta said, water changes daily with prime to condiition it should help and with time calm them down...goodluck

Lucy

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. That is crazy, the way he is swimming up and down like that. Could be he is stressed from the move.
About the poo, it could be a internal parasite. I'm not knowledgeable on fish diseases. You might want to post a pic in that forum to see if someone could help.


Sorry I didn't mention it before, but I really am sorry you lost your fish.
As far as over reacting, I don't think you are, when it comes to our water babies, it's better to err on the side of caution.

Don't worry, when things settle down, you'll really enjoy your fish.

Evelyn1919

hi dbridges and welcome to fishlore!
everyone here is great and give great advice.
your tiger barb looks just fine and active which is good. i have 10 of them and they love to just swim around all together but sometimes one or two go on their own and after a while they go back to be with the others. they are my favorite fish and i think they are great. i have very little ones and big ones and they all get along pretty much. you just need to be careful on what other kind of fish you want to put in your tank cuz they are very aggressive and fin nippers.

like some say in their posts maybe you added too many fish at once and that's why your fish died which happened to me before.

good luck with your tank and don't worry this only gets better and better and eventually all the problems are gone leaving you to just sit down and enjoy your tank.

dbridges11

Thanks to all for the info I love this site. It's been a big help.