Fish are dying

Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 gallon that I keep the babies in from my 55 gallon.  It was getting over crowded so I bought a 20 gallon aquarium and let it set for 4 days and I put cycle in it to get it ready for the babies.  It got cloudy so I added some accu clear.  I added the babies last night and this evening they started dying.  I checked the ammonia and it was perfect.  I set this tank up just like i did the others.  They were really healthy and growing well in the other tank so I know they weren't sick before I did this change.  A little bit ago I put them back in the 10 gallon in their old water and they are still laying on the bottom moving their tails really fast and staying in place.  I was hoping putting them back in that environment might bring them out of whatever did this to them.  Do you know what could of went wrong?

ANSWER: Hi Lisa,

2 things come to mind, first.

#1, did you cycle the new tank for at least 2 weeks before adding fish?  If not, then it is an ammonia or nitrate issue...almost guaranteed.

#2, did you add filtration to the tank and heat?  Without either one, the fry will die.

I am sadder to hear that you added accu clear.  That is going to do a lot of harm, causing serious raises in nitrates down the road when the particles in the water rot.

The way it works is to use phosphates (soap) to bond the floating debris (even though it looks cloudy, it's just floating debris or bacteria) into bonded little balls you can't see.  Those settle to the bottom.  Eventually they rot there.  It clears the water, and 2 weeks down the road, your tank has bad levels from rot.

Please do not use any further chemicals.

If you are concerned about the cycle of the new tank, I advise the following - Put a plant from the old tank into that new tank and remove half the water in the new tank, and use the old tank's water in its place.  It most likely is nice, live water.  It will help the tank cycle as will the plant.

I hope this helps.:)

Write back anytime.

Happy Fish-keeping.

Renee

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QUESTION: Renee,

I checked the ammonia and it was perfect.  I ran a heater and filter 4 days before I added them.  I wish I wouldn't of put the accu clear in it that might of been what killed them.  So far out of 62 I have lost 5.  I hadn't emptied their old tank yet so I put them back in their old tank and water.  Do you think the other might pull out of it or is it to late?  Also do you know why they are laying on the bottom moving their tails really fast and setting still?

ANSWER: Hi, if you put their old tank's water in instead, that was the best move you could make.  It's very plausible they will recouperate, but don't beat yourself up about this.

Remember, out of a good litter of fish, it is not uncommon to lose 10% to 25% of the fish.  It's very common.  This is your first litter.  You're doing very good.  Just change their water with their home tank's water from now on and add fresh water to the home tank when you do.  It might be a bit dirtier for the babies, but the water is safe...healthy...has live water in it.

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Renee,

This is kind of sad because I have raised about 100 babies so far and never lost one.  I have got some big enough to put in the big tank and when they have more move them to the 10 gallon with no problems.  I have them back in the 10 gallon aquarium now in their old water and the 20 gallon has no fish.  Some of them is still dying I hope the rest recover.  What do I need to do to try this change again without losing anymore if I don't lose the rest of them.  Does it mean they are stressed when they move their tails really fast and lay on the bottom?

Answer
To me that says they are not getting proper aeration and when they go to the bottom, it's the first sign to me that they are too cold.  Please, make sure the heat is at 80F.

:)

You sound like a very diligent, caring fish grandma, and I think you are doing your best.  Don't beat yourself up if you have a litter of fry who are just having issues.  It happens to us all.

Renee