What Is Happening To My Fish?

[natureandwildlife]

So I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 Dwarf Gourami, 1 Guppy, 5 Neon Tetras, 1 Amano Shrimp, and 1 Mystery Snail. I used to have 2 Guppies but one day 1 of the Guppies was just swimming in place at the top. After 2 days of that, the Guppy died. One day after, my other Guppy started showing the same symptoms. On the 2nd day of that, a did a large water change. (About 80%) this morning I noticed that the affected Guppy is more active but not 100% back to normal. However, now my Neon Tetras are acting strange. I got them not even a week ago but in about 1 day they were acting perfectly normal. However, this morning I noticed that they are constantly going to the top and breathing or trying to eat for 5-10 seconds. This is occurring after the large water change. After the water change I also added Beneficial Bacteria and pH buffer. I use Tetra Complete Water Care Kit. I really need help. I don't want any fish to die. My Dwarf Gourami is looking normal.

I also don't test for water parameters. I know that it is not recommended to do so.

I did use the sick fish template and post it but I have not received any help.

 

[Lucyn]

So I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 Dwarf Gourami, 1 Guppy, 5 Neon Tetras, 1 Amano Shrimp, and 1 Mystery Snail. I used to have 2 Guppies but one day 1 of the Guppies was just swimming in place at the top. After 2 days of that, the Guppy died. One day after, my other Guppy started showing the same symptoms. On the 2nd day of that, a did a large water change. (About 80%) this morning I noticed that the affected Guppy is more active but not 100% back to normal. However, now my Neon Tetras are acting strange. I got them not even a week ago but in about 1 day they were acting perfectly normal. However, this morning I noticed that they are constantly going to the top and breathing or trying to eat for 5-10 seconds. This is occurring after the large water change. After the water change I also added Beneficial Bacteria and pH buffer. I use Tetra Complete Water Care Kit. I really need help. I don't want any fish to die. My Dwarf Gourami is looking normal.

I also don't test for water parameters. I know that it is not recommended to do so.

I did use the sick fish template and post it but I have not received any help.

What your explaining in the fishes behavior sounds like they're obviously struggling to breathe. You're either having a parameter problem, or your tank's oxygen level is really low. Whens the last time you cleaned out your filter? Do you have plenty of surface disruption for good gas exchange ie bubblers, flow bars, etc. Was the water from your water change the same temperature as the tank? If you noticed small bubbles forming on the glass after the change, the water was too hot and they probably suffocated from oxygen depletion with the increased temps. Also, how quickly did you add all those fish after your cycle? That's also a pretty stocked tank, you might have to keep up on those water changes

 

[natureandwildlife]

What your explaining in the fishes behavior sounds like they're obviously struggling to breathe. You're either having a parameter problem, or your tank's oxygen level is really low. Whens the last time you cleaned out your filter? Do you have plenty of surface disruption for good gas exchange ie bubblers, flow bars, etc. Was the water from your water change the same temperature as the tank? If you noticed small bubbles forming on the glass after the change, the water was too hot and they probably suffocated from oxygen depletion with the increased temps. Also, how quickly did you add all those fish after your cycle? That's also a pretty stocked tank, you might have to keep up on those water changes

I just cleaned out my filter yesterday during the water change. The filter creates some ripples on the surface. About less than half of the water surface ripples. Is that enough? I got the water temperature very similar so I don't think that is the issue. It definitely wasn't too hot. I didn't add the fish all at once. A week or so in between some of the fish. I was told at the fish store that I would only need to do a weekly 25% water change.

 

[Lucyn]

I just cleaned out my filter yesterday during the water change. The filter creates some ripples on the surface. About less than half of the water surface ripples. Is that enough? I got the water temperature very similar so I don't think that is the issue. It definitely wasn't too hot. I didn't add the fish all at once. A week or so in between some of the fish. I was told at the fish store that I would only need to do a weekly 25% water change.

And you cleaned the filter with tank water right? Typically, you should wait a minimum of 2 weeks to add in new fish, and no more than 50% of your current stocking. For example, if you had 5 inches of neon tetra's, you'd wanna add around 3 inches of fish and wait another 2 weeks. Your BB has to catch up with your new additions, you only form enough BB to handle what you currently have stocked. You're probably having a spike of some sort of toxin, Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates etc. Remember, patience is key in this hobby

 

[nikm128]

I would add an airstone, and a bacteria booster like Tetra Safe Start as well as treating the tank with Prime

 

[natureandwildlife]

I did add something similar to TSS. I don't know anything about airstones. What exactly do I need to get?

 

[nikm128]

A small air pump:
Some airline tubing:
A check valve (so the tank doesn't get drained if the pump goes out):
and of course, the stone:

 

[loner556]

How long has this tank been set up? 2 weeks?

Give us a rough schedule on when the tank was set up and when each set of fish were introduced.

My guess is the tank is not cycled, has a very high bio-load and ammonia is spiking poisoning / killing your fish.

 

[angelcraze]

What is your tank pH? What is tap pH?

Have you tested ammonia, nitrite and nitrAte?

Just saw you don't test params. Can't really tell you what's wrong unless we know params.

 

[Lovecich]

All you need is an airstone, a small pump and an air hose to connect them. Drop the airstone into your tank, turn on the pump and you'll see the bubbles flowing out.

 

[Lucyn]

You can get all that stuff you need at Walmart for cheap, 15 bucks.

 

[natureandwildlife]

Ok, so I think I want to try the air stone idea. What if I can't get the supplies until tomorrow? Does that explain the death of my Guppy?

I set up my tank in late April. I add BB and set it sit for 2 weeks. I then got 1 Dwarf Gourami and 2 Guppies. I had an ADF that sadly passed because of an accident with the filter. About 2 weeks later I added my snail and shrimp. A few days ago I added the Neon Tetras but 1 went missing. I still can't find it. Does it sound like it may be my water still or just not enough oxygen? I really don't like the look of the bubbles but if it's necessary I'll do it.

Should I take some of my water to Petsmart to get it tested?

 

[loner556]

If you added BB and let it set for 2 weeks (no ammonia for it to feed off of), it died off. There was no BB when you added fish.

Yes, I'd suggest taking your water in for testing. Post the results back here.

ETA: what was your source for the BB?

 

[natureandwildlife]

If you added BB and let it set for 2 weeks, it died off. There was no BB when you added fish.

Yes, I'd suggest taking your water in for testing. Post the results back here.

ETA: what was your source for the BB?

Oh no! I've added BB into my tank with fish in it twice. Has that helped? I'm going to go to Petsmart and have them test my water as well as get the supplies for an air pump. Do I need a specific sized airstone?
I used the BB that came in the Tetra Complete Water Care Kit.

 

[nikm128]

Ok, so I think I want to try the air stone idea. What if I can't get the supplies until tomorrow? Does that explain the death of my Guppy?

I set up my tank in late April. I add BB and set it sit for 2 weeks. I then got 1 Dwarf Gourami and 2 Guppies. I had an ADF that sadly passed because of an accident with the filter. About 2 weeks later I added my snail and shrimp. A few days ago I added the Neon Tetras but 1 went missing. I still can't find it. Does it sound like it may be my water still or just not enough oxygen? I really don't like the look of the bubbles but if it's necessary I'll do it.

It's fine to wait until tomorrow

Should I take some of my water to Petsmart to get it tested?

Couldn't hurt to do that

Oh no! I've added BB into my tank with fish in it twice. Has that helped? I'm going to go to Petsmart and have them test my water as well as get the supplies for an air pump. Do I need a specific sized airstone?
I used the BB that came in the Tetra Complete Water Care Kit.

You don't need any specific size, just make sure it fits in your tank. I actually wouldn't get one of those tiny ones though, they won't help much.

 

[loner556]

What is the source of the BB you're adding? Are you using an off the shelf BB (if so, what brand / type)?

Adding it with Fish in isn't going to hurt them. I recommend Tetra Safe Start Plus. The Plus is important. If you're doing a fish in cycle, you should add the TSS+ with a few hardy fish like danios. Don't add any more until you're showing 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and are showing 5-10 ppm nitrates. Then add only a fish or two at a time watching the numbers with a test kit. After adding new fish to a cycled tank, you may catch a short ammonia spike where it shows up in the test (0.25 pmm for example) but if you have a cycled tank, your BB should catch up quickly where you're back to 0,0, and some nitrate. Water changes are to keep your nitrates down and to add some minerals back into tank.

Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?

 

[natureandwildlife]

What is the source of the BB you're adding? Are you using an off the shelf BB (if so, what brand / type)?

Adding it with Fish in isn't going to hurt them. I recommend Tetra Safe Start Plus. The Plus is important. If you're doing a fish in cycle, you should add the TSS+ with a few hardy fish like danios. Don't add any more until you're showing 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and are showing 5-10 ppm nitrates. Then add only a fish or two at a time watching the numbers with a test kit. After adding new fish to a cycled tank, you may catch a short ammonia spike where it shows up in the test (0.25 pmm for example) but if you have a cycled tank, your BB should catch up quickly where you're back to 0,0, and some nitrate. Water changes are to keep your nitrates down and to add some minerals back into tank.

Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?

Yes, I understand the nitrogen cycle. This is my first tank and I have learned a lot. I now realize my mistakes too. I use a BB tablet that comes in a Tetra Complete Water Care Kit.


I just got everything for an airstone so I'll set that up and update you all.

 

[nikm128]

Just a bit of advice, leave a bit of slack in the tubing in case you need to move the pump or something, that way you don't have to cut up more of it.

 

[natureandwildlife]

Just a bit of advice, leave a bit of slack in the tubing in case you need to move the pump or something, that way you don't have to cut up more of it.

Thanks! I wouldn't have thought of that!

Also, while at Petsmart I got my water tested. They said that all of my water parameters were perfect and they agreed that I probably just need an airstone. She seemed pretty knowledgeable about aquariums too.

 

[nikm128]

Well, they usually don't flat out lie about good parameters, so let's keep our fingers crossed that the tank just needs some more oxygen.

 

[natureandwildlife]

Well, they usually don't flat out lie about good parameters, so let's keep our fingers crossed that the tank just needs some more oxygen.

Yes, let's hope.

Should I rinse off the air stone and tubing?

 

[nikm128]

Should I rinse off the air stone and tubing?

Couldn't hurt

 

[Elkwatcher]

Are you able to buy a API liquid Master Test Kit, you will find this very helpful to keep your fish alive in the future.

 

[natureandwildlife]

Ever since the air stone has been in (all night), the Neons Tetras have not come to the surface to breathe and my Guppy is more active and willing to eat. However, he is still not 100% back to normal. At first I was wondering if he simply missed his friend, but I recently saw something on Fish Lore that makes me think otherwise. Someone said that if the bubbles from your airstone are not bursting at the surface then it is not working properly. The bubbles on mine do not pop when they reach the water surface, they just float around on top. Is this normal?