*** This is split from another thread. ~ Vinz ***
would like to say something.. I bought 10 cardinals and 5 plants (hornworts and red plant) and put them in my tank at the same time. Would say the tank is cycled already. I also add Flourish and Excel to my tank.
However, my tetras dun seem to acclimatise even after 3 days. They started dying 1 by 1, and look pale and don't eat at all. Whenever anyone walks close, they hide and go into a panic. And they developed white spots on the 2nd day, and I added white spot medication and white spots disappeared the next day, but they were still pale looking.
Then I noticed my plants dying. The red plant leaves turned transparent. The hornwort has its stem totally cut off from the pot opening. Just drop off, like that. Very very weird. Then I took out all the plants when I have 4 tetras left, and changed 50% water.
Then, my tetras got better the next day, and even started eating!!!! I had also added in some guppies, which I hope will help the tetra not be so scared of ppl. However, I've lost 6 tetras already.
I wonder what is the problem here. I also noticed, my otto has got a super bloated stomach, then after i removed the plants, the swelling went down! What could have happened here?
Last edited by vinz; 31st Mar 2010 at 10:13.
ajax_84,
You should post a separate thread regarding your problem, but I will try and answer it here. At times, the plants you buy MAY have some traces of pesticides/algaecides or some other medication on them, which may affect the fishes you keep. This issue occasionally plagues plants grown in emersed culture. If you have no idea what the farms to do to keep the pests away, always quarantine your plant if you have to, or use a fish as a "canary" to test if there are any residue on the plants remaining.
There are many reasons to explain the fish deaths - improper acclimatisation/disease/stress/temperature swings/pH swings, among other things. It could even be something as simple as inadequate filtration/cycling, and hence nitrite/ammonia poisoning.
As for the plants dying, it could be that they are not able to acclimatise to your tank water. I noted that you mentioned the hornwort stem started rotting from the point where it meets the pot. When planting those plants that come in the pots, you are supposed to remove the pot itself and the rock wool that covers the roots, so that the plant can be rooted in the substrate. The only time I ever have hornwort melting, is when new water is added in to the tank. However, the planted tank pros can answer your queries better.
More details would be better to aid in answering your multiple problems.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
Cardinal tetras are one of the most sensitive fish on the market that gets alot of travel time from breeders, collection sites, wholesalers, retailers then to your home. I recommend quarantining them before introducing them into your established tank. They are known to succumb to a variety of parasites/ diseases. Also, you may want to take into consideration that medication can cause your plants harm as well. I really think it's wise to quarantine before introduction or you could face total destruction.
thanks vinz for the splitting of thread, and to all for answering!
anyway when i bought the ring plants, they are already in this form at the LFS, so it should be safe to just put it into the tank? Or could it be because I put them inside the substrate, rather than outside the substrate, that caused it to melt at the opening of the ring which coincides with the substrate level?
to update, after the removal of plants, water change, and all, they got better the next day right. but all, including guppies, developed fin rot. I bought medication and added in, now all seem happy and healthy. Though in the process of medication, 1 more cardinal went to heaven. but right now as it seems, all are healthy looking.. =)
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