Dean

I don’t know what else I can do? I had some fish shipped a week or two ago and they all died. The Black Ghost died with in an hour and the polka dot loaches died the next day. I slowly acclimated them by floating the bag and slowly adding water over an hour and a half but none of them made it after being added to the tank. So I tried again and ordered from a different place but this time I also ordered a Gold Nugget Pleco L177. This time I dripped acclimated them for 3 hours in a bucket. The ghost and nugget in their bags in the buckets and the loaches were just in the bucket. I also tested the water they came in and it was fine. The pH was about .3 lower then my tank water when this process started but was the same before I added them. I put in the Nugget first and seemed to be doing fine. 30 minutes later I added the Polka dot loaches and two of them seemed fine but one wasn’t doing so well. About 10 minutes later all the loaches were dead. Then the Nugget started to look pretty bad and was just floating around but not swimming. I pulled him out and put him in the bucket that was almost all my tank water at this point. I added some stress coat+ to the bucket and added an air stone to maybe and save the Nugget, I didn’t know what else I could do. He took really well and started to dramatically improve. I then checked in the bag the Ghost was in and it was dead. I was/am so frustrated by this. I continued to drip acclimate the nugget for another 2 hour. I then tried to introduce the Nugget again but as soon as it went in to my main tank he just floated around again, not swimming and barley moving. So I fished him out again and put him back in the bucket. He once again looked lively. So, I put a heater in the bucket with the air stone and added a few fake plants to give him some cover. I left him there over night. He was fine in the morning. What is going on? I have no idea why they start to decline as soon as they go in the tank. The bucket he is in is almost all my tank water at this point and seems to be doing fine in the bucket but instantly declines in health when I add him to my main tank. ammonia and nitrite are at 0 and nitrate is less then 5. The temp in the bucket and bags were identical to my tank. What in the heck is going on?

Shawnie

wow alot is happened....could there be a short in something electrical in your tank? maybe its shocking them? im totally lost as I thought maybe a drastic ph was the issue...I hope you figure it out soon!
wish I had more suggestions

Dean

I bought a new heater (old one is in the bucket) because the calibration is off by 4-5 degrees. I have an inline heater now in the tank so there's nothing in the tank that I think could shock them. All the other fish in the tank are fine.

Shawnie

that is really a freaky situation....I wish I could offer more help....

Dean

Should I try to add him to the main tank again or leave him in the bucket for a few days?

Shawnie

I really am not sure as I remember your other fish and trying to figure out what happened..and now these fish also...I hope some other members can help..maybe post a link in here of your other thread as well could help?

Dean

Good idea. Here is the link to the situation I had last time I tried to add fish I had shipped to my tank: New Black Ghost died in 3 hours, Why?

Dean

Can anyone offer some insight? I really have know idea what to do? I was really happy that I saved the Nugget cause I've been wanting one ever since I started fish keeping. I really want him to be ok. What can I do to get him happily in my tank?

sirdarksol

Unfortunately, there aren't many people on right now (things are sometimes dead around here in the middle of the day).
It may be a bit before someone with an applicable bit of knowledge logs on and sees this thread.

Good luck.

Lucy

Wow, I'm sorry you've had so much trouble.
I think I would question the source of these fish. Was it from a reputable breeder?

Dean

Mixed reviews. But the one I ordered from last time has a very good rep.

Is there some sort of med available that would help my Nugget to acclimate and gain strength?

Dean

My Nugget is still doing ok in the bucket for now. I only have a heater and an air stone going now, no filter. I did a 50% water change when I got home using my main tank water to fill the bucket again. I still don't know if I should try to add him again or wait for a few days.
if anyone has any input, I'd love to hear it.

IIIHawKIII

have you made anything or painted anything or sealed anything?

seems like maybe something is leeching something toxic into the water? if you could cruise craigslist and find a cheap tank you could at least put him in there for awhile, while you figure out what's goin on with your main tank.

also, what is your substrate? any big rock decorations? or driftwood?

Dean

I haven't made anything or sealed stuff. I have regular aquarium gravel, a few rock caves, good live plant coverage, and a piece of wood.

Everyone else in the tank is doing fine.

Shawnie

got home from work and was hoping you had some help...its something in that tank..just wish I knew what..cant imagine that two different shipments, two different suppliers, and the fish go that drastically ill after adding......I wish we could be more help dean

Dean

I have know clue whats going on. The Nugget is still doing fine in the bucket even after the big water change with my main tank water. And all is well in main tank. What to do?

Shawnie

maybe attempted to try him again in the main tank with another slow drip acclimation because of temp differences? do a 40% water change prior..with some conditioner to the main tank.... but make sure its when you can be there to watch things...test the ph in both tanks prior

Dean

The bucket must be all my tank water by now with the 4 hour something drip acclimate last night and a 50% water change in the bucket using tank water. I also have it set to the same temp as my main tank. Do you think I just try to add him as is or acclimate. Bag floating might be better then. Or shopuld I keep him in the bucket another day or two?

Dean

Update: I added my Nugget to the main tank. He seemed to be doing fine last night. Hid in a cave for a while and then did some exploring. He was fine this morning too. I know I'm not out of the woods yet but I'm pretty optimistic he'll be ok.

Shawnie

awesome dean!~ im glad theres some hope around the horizon..keep us posted..and a pic when you can im so jealous and would love a nugget someday!

Dean

I will work on pics soon. This is the last week of school so I'll have all summer to figure that out and post pics of my tank. Keep your fingers crossed for me and my Nugget.

TedsTank

Strange problem...it sounds to me you are going everything right...you should be able to add him again....and just watch him close.....don't pull him out immediately if he floats for a bit. You have other fish in the tank that are fine??...in your 55 gal? or your 10gal?

I have added fish before that just drop to the bottom....like culture shock or something...disoriented.....after a while they are fine.

Dean

Its my 55g and all the other fish are and have been fine. The first time I added the Nugget it did fine for about an hour then while suckinh on the glass it just dropped of and was floating on a plant leave on its side/back. The 2nd try that night it jusat flopped right away. But last night he did fine, hiding in a cave at first but then went exploring.

TedsTank

Wonderful!!! Sorry about the others.

IIIHawKIII

what's the update on this situation?

Dean

The Nugget is doing well in the main tank. Only problem now is that he has a splinter on his head. It's been there for two days now. Do I just wait for it to fall out?