Eveyday a few tetra die. All of the tetra swim near surface of the water. How to prevent such occurrence? Thk?

Question

Just start rearing tetra. Treat water with chlorine removal, add salt too. Feed tetra twice a day.

Answer 1

Sounds like new tank syndrome. Basically, your tank hasn't had the time to build up the necessary bacteria to turn the fish waste (ammonia) into harmless nitrates. Do water changes every other day of about 20% for a week and don't buy any more fish for a month until the bacterial cycle has had a chance to develop.

Answer 2

Sounds like either a water quality problem or too many fish per gallon.

Once a week, remove one third of the water and replace with freshly drawn water with the chemicals removed. This chemistry available at all pet stores. While there buy a PH test kit, and test once a week. You want to maintain a PH of 7. You can do this by removing water and replacing.

But any tank under 30 gallons with more than ten fish needs a weekly water change, and fliter mateials to be cleaned and replaced as nescessary.

Answer 3

Sounds like your fish are not getting enough air; they're at the surface because that's where the water is most oxygen-rich. I suggest adding a better filter and/or an air stone to your tank. Also, feed them only once a day; this will prevent uneaten food from rotting in the water and using up oxygen.

Answer 4

Usually when the fish are swimming at the surface of the water, it means the water quality is bad. Could be too much ammonia in the water. You should test your water or take it somewhere to be tested (Petsmart does that). Could possibly have too many fish in the tank and not enough filtration?

Answer 5

Sometimes no matter what you do you can't get some fish to thrive in your tank. Try a different type of fish. I kept BH Tetras for years, but neons and emperors would die in a few days. Also kept Angelfish for years from tiny to big, yet I've heard of people who can't keep Angelfish alive. Want to watch a fish die? Get a $10 golden ram cichlid.