Cardinal tetra - Acclimation and color question

55 gallon pH 7.5 temp 78°

Current stock is 1 male swordtail, 4 cardinal tetras and 5 Cory's.

So I recently had a die off from 12 cardinal tetras to 4 left. I believe it was a beginner mistake because I had 3 danios who I was too lazy to catch and because of this the slight stress was enough.

Ive tested the water a few times and it's 0 on everything so that's good.

Im planning on buying a few more today, from a more reputable source. How should I acclimate them. I was planning on floating for an hour and adding water every 15 minutes (4 times)

The store I get them from isn't too much different just slightly more neutral pH.

Also, one of cardinals is active and schooling with the other but his colors are faded, almost no red.

I've read that certain foods can give them vitamins they need to have good color. I don't believe he's sick becuase he's actually the most active in the school. I was planning on trying New Life Spectrum flakes and maybe some frozen brine shrimp tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestiond

 

Any pics ? Strange only one stays faded.

Are nitrates also 0?

 

Any pics ? Strange only one stays faded.

Are nitrates also 0?

Yes nitrates 0, I did a water change kind of recently and I have live plants

 

Your acclimating plan sounds fine, just don't add too much water at once. It could shock them. The tetra's discoloration could be from food but paleness most often comes from fish stress. This can happen when the parameters change too suddenly, or if they're less than ideal. Just be careful with water changes. Or, it could be sick in which case you could have to treat it. I don't have a QT myself and don't have very much experience with disease so if that was the problem you might need someone else to help you there.

 

Here's a decent pic:

 

Yes nitrates 0, I did a water change kind of recently and I have live plants

mmmmm strange

 

mmmmm strange

What's the problem? I'm a little inexperienced so I'm not sure lol sorry.

Also because my bioload is pretty small right now but much ammonia is being produced

Edit: So should I get more or is there any reason to wait longer. I was only planning on getting like 5 or 6

 

Look at the blue stripe on the fish. If it goes all the way to the tail, it's not a Cardinal, it's a Green Neon, which tends to have a paler red zone than the Cardinal. They sometimes get mixed with Cardinals. I suggest this because the first photo looks like one of the fish has the stripe running all the way to the base of the tail.

As far as losing fish, I think the Swordtail would be more stressful to them than a few Danios.

 

Look at the blue stripe on the fish. If it goes all the way to the tail, it's not a Cardinal, it's a Green Neon, which tends to have a paler red zone than the Cardinal. They sometimes get mixed with Cardinals. I suggest this because the first photo looks like one of the fish has the stripe running all the way to the base of the tail.

As far as losing fish, I think the Swordtail would be more stressful to them than a few Danios.

This could be it, I actually just headed out to get some more but I'll check when I get home.

If this were the case, would they still school like normal

 

Yes, they are very close relatives that on occasion will school together.

 

Yes, they are very close relatives that on occasion will school together.

Hm okay, regardless I'll get the new life spectrum food as I'm not a huge fan of Omega one.




If someone could help me out real quick. These are the cardinals that all look healthy with color. They are a bit skiddish in the tank they have them in but otherwise seem fine. No sign of disease. Would this be a good buy

 

You mean to add to your other school of cardinals? I would say go for it, unless they look too skittish.

 

You mean to add to your other school of cardinals? I would say go for it, unless they look too skittish.

They're color is pretty impressive for a LFS. They were a little skittish but they came out to explore after a bit. Just started to let them float, and even then they're red is pretty vibrant.

Yes, they are very close relatives that on occasion will school together.

It looks like his blue line does extend to his tail, more so than the other cards. Pretty sure it's a green neon after looking up pics. Thanks for this tip, saved me a lot of worrying.