Sick Glowlight Tetra?

S

Sandwich

Small Fish
#1
Jan 7, 2009
18
0
0
#1
29 Gallon Tank, which has ran for 4 weeks so far
PH is 7.1
Ammonia is 0.25PPM
1 Other healthy Glow Light Tetra
2 healthy X-Ray Tetras
1 Healthy Hong Kong Pleco

The fish secludes itself from the rest of the fish, didnt eat for dinner time, seems to have a hard time staying afloat, and let me catch him with my hands. (Very sluggish)

His head neon stripe seems discolored, and his top fin seems completely collapsed, as opposed to my other tetras dynamic closing and opening fins as he swims against currents.
 

homebunnyj

homebunnyj

Superstar Fish
#3
Jul 13, 2005
1,299
4
0
Western NC
#3
Unwritten law, the tank is still cycling. The ammonia spike is nearly over, and chances are that it is in the nitrite spike.

Sandwich, test for nitrites... not nitrates, they sound similar. If the reading is over 1.0, do a water change to lower it... 25 to 50%.

It isn't unusual to lose a fish or two, or more, when you do a fish-in cycle as you have done. Just keep testing your water for ammonia and nitrites, don't change out or clean your filter pads until those test results are both down to zero, and do a water change if either number is 1.0 or above.

Go to the beginner forum and read the stickies. You'll have a much better idea of what's going on with your tank and how to maintain it after reading that info.
 

S

Sandwich

Small Fish
#4
Jan 7, 2009
18
0
0
#4
Thanks alot guys. Strangely the fish is attempting to eat, but still is looking ill.

Boy im glad I joined this site.

Off to nap, im exhausted. *SLEEPING*
 

S

Sandwich

Small Fish
#5
Jan 7, 2009
18
0
0
#5
Never mind, this fish looks worse than before. He doesnt struggle at when caught in my net. He just stays there, as if mortally out of energy. What now??
 

M

Monoxide

Large Fish
#6
Dec 19, 2008
224
0
0
#6
The ammonia could had hurt him, it could have been picked on. In my own tank Ive seen my plecos go against cichlids when I had them years ago. I was thinking while my pleco going at the bigger more aggressive fish. But it could just be stressed out. :(
 

LadyLail

LadyLail

Large Fish
#9
Dec 31, 2008
185
0
0
NC
www.myspace.com
#9
Sandwich- did you just run your tank or did you cycle it? There's a difference.

Also, when you get this straightened out, you might want to do a school of Tetras instead of a few of each. That'll cut down on any aggression or bullying. For example; My Danios pick all the time because there aren't enough of them in the tank, my Praecox is the neighborhood bully because he's not in a school, and my poor little Silver Dollar just keeps to himself in the corner because he's not in a pair or school (which will be remidied this afternoon :D!!!!)

If there's one thing I've learned about fish it's this- however they do best in the wild is what needs to be mimicked in the tank if at all possible. It helps bring out their true personalities too.
 

S

Sandwich

Small Fish
#11
Jan 7, 2009
18
0
0
#11
UPDATE

Horatio The Sick Fish has been euthanized. He became too weak to even move across the tank, and his quality of life had dropped to abyssal levels.
I took him to the toilet, and flushed him.

I KNOW I KNOW! THERE WERE BETTER WAYS. Well he's not suffering anymore. Now I know some humane methods since ive read some guides.
 

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