my brother has a tank of 2 algae eaters, and 4 neon tetras. he hasn't had them for long, and then today my mom cleaned out their tank, (as we usually do with our fish) and while they were in the container, as my mom was cleaning their tank, all 4 neons suddenly died! we don't know what happened, and it's weird, bcuz if this really happened every single time somebody's fish's tank needed cleaning, we'd be running out to the store every week to buy new fish. i know they are weak fish, and we do have a filter in their tank, but what might be the cause of their death? this never happened with our old neons, or all the bettas we've had. i think it's kinda weird........
thanks for answering :)
2007-02-14 13:52:44 · 8 answers · asked by ferrets4ever 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
The fish should remain in the tank while cleaning it. Moving them is extremely stressful and stress kills fish. Every other week or so syphon the gravel and remove between 25-40% of the tank water. Leave the fish in the water! wipe down the sides of the tank, shake out the filter cartridge, or squeeze out the sponge or floss in the syphoned out tank water. Replace with conditioned tap water that is the same temperature as the tank water.(treated with aqua-safe or some other chemical that removes chlorine & chloramines, add buffer to soften the water if necessary) neons like soft water... i know my tap water needs to be buffered for neons... only add fully conditoned water to the tank. Don't remove the fish. Do this every 2 weeks and your fish should stay alive... untill they die of old age...
2007-02-14 15:52:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neons are pretty finicky. There are alot of things to consider here...Did your brother have the fish very long? I mean, a day, two, what?
Did you give the fish time to acclimate to the water in the new container you put them in while cleaning the tank?
Fish are very temperature sensitive. I was always told to put your fish in a bag with water from the tank to be cleaned and then set that bag in the container you are going to transplant them into for at least an hour so the temps an equal out. The same goes when transferring them back.
I hope your next batch live longer. ^_^
2007-02-14 22:06:49 · answer #2 · answered by NekuYasha 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It could be the water thats being put into the tank, which can be high in chlorine and other additives which can kill fish. You can try using a water conditioner before putting the fish in. Try Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioner(doesnt have to be that brand, but some tap water conditioner).
Hm...Another thing is you may be cleaning it too much. Cleaning it every week will not let the beneficial bacteria grow. Beneficial bacteria cycle the water and clean it of ammonia, NitrAtes, and nitrItes, all of which can kill fish when its in high amounts.
You tank should be cleaned every two or three weeks, taking out about 1/2 to 3/4 of the water and filtering the bottom.
Info on cycling: http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/article1.php
Info on cleaning and general maintenance: http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
If you wanna know anything else, email me: xneurotica@aol.com
2007-02-14 22:13:21 · answer #3 · answered by Alyssa D 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's got to be something in the container or the tap water. Get another container and don't leave them in it too long. The tank has a controlled environment. What do you fish them out with...see if the net is clean and your mom washed her hands and doesn't have any thing stuck to it
2007-02-14 22:37:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well first of all you should really leave the fish in the tank!! Or get another container that is bigger for them to have space in!
2007-02-14 22:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by Beachlova12 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Either the temperature was wrong in the bowl, or their was chlorine still in the water, or there might have been something in the bowl like detergent that could have killed them. Here's a website that you can share with your brother and mom about keeping fish that might help you next time.
http://fish.mongabay.com/aquarium3.htm
Hope it helps!
MM
2007-02-14 22:06:08 · answer #6 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The water too cold / warm or didn't 'sit' the 24 hours to evaporate bad stuff (chlorine in tap water) they were in while cleaning the tank or the replacement tank water was
2007-02-14 22:01:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The water was either to hot or to cold they died from the shock. you should let it sit for a while to get it to room temp.
2007-02-15 00:45:44 · answer #8 · answered by Blond&Beautiful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋