Why did my fish die? I have a new aquarium...not yet cycled. I initially purchased 2 neon tetras...?

Question

plus 2 glo lite tetras. The 2 neon tetras died within hours of being introduced slowly to tank. Replaced with 2 male guppies next day. One guppy died after 3 days. Other looks like it will die too. Always either hovers at top or bottom of tank looking droopy or alternatively swims around frantically. The 2 original glo lite tetras still seem fine. Tank tests negative for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate...tank is less than a week old. Water tested at pet store twice and I've been told it is fine. When I test it is slightly acidic and soft...Will that actually kill a guppy?

Answer 1

although your tank has tested fine with the pet store and your testing it may have a slight amount of chlorine in the tank...normally when a new tank is started it needs to sit with a filter for atleast a week...petstores sell a water conditioner that can kill off chlorine and other types of things that may kill your fish you should try this but i have always cycled my aquariums for about 2 weeks before adding any type of fish to it..

Answer 2

Something is wrong with your water . Put some water in a glass and take it to Pet Smart or to any fish store and they will check it and tell you what is wrong...maybe you need something in your water.

Tetras usually are hard to kill. When you first start out fish will die, it's to be expected until you learn more.  Get that water check ASAp  before you buy anymore fish.  Maybe a fish had a disease and it spread.

Answer 3

you answered your q yourself

your tank is NOT cycled

without the good bacteria, the fish can't survive in that tank

and just because the pet store says your water is fine, doesn't mean it is

read more about cycling the tank here

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/...

Answer 4

neon tetras are a really scared fish. they get nervous and stressed which causes them to die..

i started off with ten now im down to four:(

x

Answer 5

First, use conditioner like stress coat 2 remove chlorine. Put goldfish in there 2 help it cycle. Think back, make sure u didn't use anything prior 2 settin up tank that would hurt fish (like cleaners containing bleach). Then leave it alone & let it cycle.

Answer 6

Well you you probably didn't let it cycle long enough for the the fish to live so the toxin spike may have killed them, OR you didn't use tap water conditioner in the water and they died of chloramines or chlorine. If thats not it, I don't really know what could be wrong.

Answer 7

YOUR FISH DIED, BECUAUSE I TOLD HIM IT WAS HIS TIME TO GO.

HE TOLD ME HE HATED LIVING IN THE WATER. SO I TOLD HIM TO JUMP OUT! HE DIED AND NOAI HES IN THE BUG TANK IN THE SKY. DONT BE WORRIED HE NOW HAS A GIRLFRIEND, HER NAME IS FISHIE FRY.

Answer 8

They probably die because of stress or because or a bad enviroment. If ur tank is clean it is because or stress. My guppies died in 3 days also...... If guppies dont die in the first few days they probably will live for another year.

Answer 9

You just answered your own question...your tank isn't cycled yet, and most likely they died of ammonia poisoning.

You should ALWAYS cycle your tank before adding any fish. and if you cycle with fish, you should ALWAYS test your water.

E-mail me for any questions!

Answer 10

maybe ur using soap to clean the aquarium. If you using any kind of cleaner, STOP. Fish are extreemly sensitive to this. Only use and put water in that tank to clean it.

Poor fish, ur putting them is so much pain : (

lol jp