Cardinal Tetra keeps dying

[delhezi]

Activated carbon removes chlorine & changes the chloramine into chlorides & ammonia.
Pls go do your research.

But since you generally don't want ammonia in your tank, I suggest the use of a dechlorinator. A good brand is Seachem Prime.

Thanks. My mistake.

[felix_fx2]

1) Drive home with bag on floor with stuff to stop from rolling. (noticed that fishes loose colour at this point)
2) Float in a pail of water for an hour plus, bag remains unopened
3) Open the bag and remove some water and float in tank for at least half hour. (colour of fish gets more bright now)
4) scoope a small amount of water from the tank into the bag, much less than the balance in the bag
5) after 10 minutes remove some water from the bag and add more water from tank. wait for 20 minutes and scoope fish into tank

after this the fish seems normal (behaviour and colour) and the existing fish doesn't attack them.

I noticed that they are breathing more heavily than those existing ones. I have CO2 injection though (Drop checker still light green)

Before this whole process I did water change because of major readjustment. For water change I use my water filter to remove chlorine through activated carbon, did not add any anti-chlorine.

I am using internal overflow filter.

Thank you. Kindly let me know where did I do wrong.

1: Can i know what water your using for floating the bag?
2: You can allow the fish to swim out on their own after you added tank water to the bag. Do allow around 30min-1hour for the fish to adjust before letting them swim out.
3: You are adjusting them to the soon-to-be living conditions.

P.S: senkang zone i know have high level of chlorine/chloramine (ok depend on which part of senkang actually) , you might want to add anti - chlorine/chloramine like seachem prime if you don't trust your water purifier/filter. it don't hurt to be safe.

[fookie]

1: Can i know what water your using for floating the bag?
2: You can allow the fish to swim out on their own after you added tank water to the bag. Do allow around 30min-1hour for the fish to adjust before letting them swim out.
3: You are adjusting them to the soon-to-be living conditions.

P.S: senkang zone i know have high level of chlorine/chloramine (ok depend on which part of senkang actually) , you might want to add anti - chlorine/chloramine like seachem prime if you don't trust your water purifier/filter. it don't hurt to be safe.

Just normal tap water. I just did water change with anti-chlorine added.

I read somewhere that these fishes do not like strong current in tank as they usually do not experience this in the wild and in my tank, current flow is quite strong. I also noticed that fishes seems to hide among the plant most of the time. I suspect they are stressed due to the strong current from the filter. I now places a spongue at the filter output to brake the current and they seems to come out more and at ease. aAt least they stop darting aroung tank when light on/off or people walk pass.


I will continue to monitor. Is it possible that the death are stress related due to environment ( I am not referring to water condition)? Any comment?


thank you

[Blue Whale]

Cardinal are timid. They lost color when they are in a state of shock. In natural environment, they always school as a group and hide when predator like angel fishes come after them. Hence, it is a good idea to provide more hidding place with almost no disturbance in terms of water flow. And no, they do not survive well after ph6.8 mark. So what Felix say here make sense.

If you do not have materials, put a cup in first. they can hide inside.

[tetrakid]

Strong current in a tank is indeed an issue. Just as we wouldn't want to live in a place where there's a constant gale blowing all the time, fish also need a tranquil and non-stressful environment.

[Blue Whale]

Strong current in a tank is indeed an issue. Just as we wouldn't want to live in a place where there's a constant gale blowing all the time, fish also need a tranquil and non-stressful environment.

Nope. Depends on fish type. Luohan, Arrowana certainly don't mind the current. SNAP! if you put your hand in. I always put my hand in. ^^Y Yeah...so the last one who challenged my LuoHan, beg me to bring his one out of the tank. My baby luohan was 1 month old only back then. Size of a phalange (Section) of a finger. See target, lock on to target, then force the opponent to one corner, ready to strike.

Likewise, Angel fish won't mind the current as well. Shrimps, most tetras, will mind but shrimps designed to travel against current. Cory hides, Eels hide. Yamato hide and strike. Wood Shrimp...love it.

[Eric9013]

I have experience on wiped out of 100pcs in 2 weeks due to insufficient premature water circulation in my new 5 x 2 x 2 tank while shifting to new house, base on my experience,

- Temperature does not really matter, I hit 30 degree celus while I don’t have a chillier running, with 2 x 150watts metal halide running for 8hrs per day, Cardinal Tetra just get more active and eat more, grow fatter due o higher metabolism, surprisingly coloration was superb
- Schooling is compulsory (should have at least 10pce or more)
- PH 6.5 - 7
- Lighting would also contribute to stress level, recommended not more than 10 hours per day
- Chloride removal and other substance should be avoid, only lot of black water
- While transferring your new fishes into your tank, DO NOT ADD in the water in the bag from the Aquarium shop, only transfer the fish, water from the aquarium might be contaminated
- Always try to put all fishes in the very first go, and not bit by bit every day, this way all fishes are new and reduce the stress of new comer
- Hiding place or thick plant are recommended
- what us your filtration substance?

[tetrakid]

That is true. I've ever heard about training wild Bettas by raising them in a custom flowing current. If I remember correctly, they grew up to be champion 'striker' Bettas, which always won in those old-time competitions.

Nope. Depends on fish type. Luohan, Arrowana certainly don't mind the current. SNAP! if you put your hand in. I always put my hand in. ^^Y Yeah...so the last one who challenged my LuoHan, beg me to bring his one out of the tank. My baby luohan was 1 month old only back then. Size of a phalange (Section) of a finger. See target, lock on to target, then force the opponent to one corner, ready to strike.

Likewise, Angel fish won't mind the current as well. Shrimps, most tetras, will mind but shrimps designed to travel against current. Cory hides, Eels hide. Yamato hide and strike. Wood Shrimp...love it.

[fookie]

Thanks everyone for all the inputs and advise. Everything improve and now the tetra looks more relax and swims out more often. Appreciate all your helps.

[tetrakid]

Just a word of claification. Reducing strong current (turbulence) should not be done at the expense of aeration. In other words, one must always ensure there is adequate aeration, which is the most important factor in keeping fish going. This is where efficient aeration comes in.

Strong current in a tank is indeed an issue. Just as we wouldn't want to live in a place where there's a constant gale blowing all the time, fish also need a tranquil and non-stressful environment.

[Blue Whale]

Thanks everyone for all the inputs and advise. Everything improve and now the tetra looks more relax and swims out more often. Appreciate all your helps.

Fookie, got a picture to show us? : )

[fookie]

Fookie, got a picture to show us? : )

Will take some photo tonight.

[fookie]

Just a word of claification. Reducing strong current (turbulence) should not be done at the expense of aeration. In other words, one must always ensure there is adequate aeration, which is the most important factor in keeping fish going. This is where efficient aeration comes in.

Noted. Thank you. Still in the process of fine tuning but things are definitely looking much better

[fookie]

Will take some photo tonight.

As requested. Cardinal now more relax but colour still not as vibrant. Comments are welcome.
photo.JPG

[Blue Whale]

As requested. Cardinal now more relax but colour still not as vibrant.
photo.JPG

You might want to consider reduce the dosage by 1/3 of what you are doing now. After the foreground plant fully spread, then readjust from there again.
The black piece is it a magnet cleaner? If so, remove from tank, you do not want algae to grow on it. Beside shrimp, any fish to eat the algae? If not, can consider intro 2-3 oto to be members of your town council. : > For extra, a little black water essence and fish vitamin (Liquid like AZoo Vitamin) is a plus point. ($12 or so for a bottle 250ml; can last 3 years).

[fookie]

You might want to consider reduce the dosage by 1/3 of what you are doing now. After the foreground plant fully spread, then readjust from there again.
The black piece is it a magnet cleaner? If so, remove from tank, you do not want algae to grow on it. Beside shrimp, any fish to eat the algae? If not, can consider intro 2-3 oto to be members of your town council. : > For extra, a little black water essence and fish vitamin (Liquid like AZoo Vitamin) is a plus point. ($12 or so for a bottle 250ml; can last 3 years).

Thanks for the advise. I noticed that the gill is a little red and seems to be slightly open. Is it normal? Breathing is normal and fish is calm

[Blue Whale]

Thanks for the advise. I noticed that the gill is a little red and seems to be slightly open. Is it normal? Breathing is normal and fish is calm

Sounds normal to me. Now in the night, if they are not active, color is usually slightly dull. In the case of shock, they turn pale. So pretty timid little guys, that's why they tend to hide in the night. A bit of treat, they come out dancing with colors.....even if you stuck your face on the tank. Hee. They need time to get use to you too. Even switching lights off can scare them...very timid.

[fookie]

Hi All,

Thank you for all the advise on this matter. Now all the cardinals are doing very well in the tank. They are getting very comfortable, not hiding anymore and even come up to the surface for food.

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