Fishes died after I changed the water?

Question

I changed my water for the fish tank and 2 fishes were died.
I dont know what happened.
Maybe I changed all the water?

Answer 1

Maybe you changed all the water? You don't know. If you find someone who does know and they tell you that you did change all the water- that would be your problem.

Your tank is a small ecosystem when you change too much water you are creating a sterile environment. Fish can't live in that. They need the bacteria that grows in water to survive. The bacteria convert chemicals that the fish excrete into harmless substances. Without the bacteria these chemicals build up very quickly in the water. The chemicals burn the fish gills and eyes and force Oxygen out of the water, eventually it kils them.

When you change too much water you also create extreme environmental differences. Not only does the temp change, the amount of dissolved O2 does as well. The hardness/softness of the water and all the water chemistry will be different. This will easily send a fish into shock and kill it.

Only change 25% of the water at a time. If the tank is really dirty than wait 3-4 days and do another partial.

Your tank will be re-cycling now. Test our water every 3-4 days. You will have to do a lot of water changes for the next couple weeks. Do Not add new fish until you no longer see spikes in chemicals- it will probably take weeks.

Answer 2

If you got the water from the sink, you should always let the water sit for at least 24 hours before putting the fish in them. Otherwise the chemicals in the water will kill your fish.

If you want to save time, just use distilled water. You can buy gallons of it in the store.

You can also get away with just adding some water to a tank that already has water that's been there for awhile. But regardless, the best practice is to let the water sit over night.

Also don't forget temperature change can shock fish, so if you put in very cold water or very hot water this could also kill them. Make sure the temperature is not too extreme for them.

Answer 3

Fish are extremely sensitive to the minerals and chlorine in tap water. You're supposed to buy a water conditioner at the pet store that eliminates chlorine and minerals from the water before you put the fish in the water.

Next time you buy fish, ask the pet shop about how to treat the water so that fish are safe. I'm assuming this is not a salt water tank, because that's a whole different story.

Answer 4

Maybe the fishes ate something toxic, or bitten by other tankmates etc.. But if they die after you changed the water, maybe there is something else in the water? Like toxic chemical inside which you did not notice or some of the fishes may be sesentive to some chemical, salt or water temperature, or changing too much water without water conditioner etc. Handling fishes without care or chasing them around the tank may confuse and stress them,same if the temperature change too much or too sudden is going to hurt them too. I usually changed all the water every two to three days cos' I don't like my tank to get dirty. But I did add Melafix and Stress Coat and abit of salt and wait for at least 10 mins before I add them to they water. And wait for a few hours before I feed them.

Answer 5

If I had a dollar for every fish I killed. When you change the water you are suppose to put this soloution that makes the water fish friendly.Even when I would use this I think I put them into the water to early.So buy that stuff from petco or where ever, but make sure you follow the instructions and wait how long it says to wait until you introduce them back to the tank.

Answer 6

You're not supposed to completely change the water. Only take a small amount out.. If the water temperature was different, it could have shocked the fish.. A number of things could have happened...

Answer 7

well...

either you changed too much water or the ph of the new water caused shock. if you do this again, ph your water to the type of fish you have. then the next time you change the water, make a bunch of pre-ph water before. then change only a 3rd of the water but also change your filter cotton/charcoal.

then just wait. after a couple hours your water will clear up.

Answer 8

Probably a combination of most of the things already mentioned by others: temperature, harmful chems in water, too much of a water change, etc.

Answer 9

your not supose to change all the water at the same time. just a little bit at a time. and the new water u put there needs to sit out (like in a jug) 4 at least 24hrs and should be room temp.

Answer 10

if the water temperature change was too great it would have killed them. also water needs to acclimate for the fish to survive in it- if you just pour tap water in, it will kill them. you are supposed to find the right additive, or let it sit for a day.