Cardinalfish Dying. Heavy Breathing.

[dcphillip]

I’m brand new to the hobby so go easy on me. I’m taking lessons from budget aquarium YouTube videos and my local fish shop. I’ve live cycled my tank with two clowns. One did great and one never ate and died. Water chemistry seems fine. Between 0 and .25 ammonia and nitrite. Replaced dead clown with a new one and added a cardinalfish a few days ago. Clown seems fine and ate first day. Cardinal was breathing heavily from the get go. Was hoping it was just shock of new aquarium but now he’s sucking water and laying down. Obviously not good. With two fish dead, what am I doing wrong if water seems ok? Video attached. Sorry for murkiness. Just did a water change.

 

[blaxsun]

What are your current water parameters - not just ammonia?

#fishmedic

 

[Sebastiancrab]

It would be best to ask the LFS to hold your fish until your tank is properly cycled. How have you done the process? You can add Seachem Prime to buy you roughly 48 hours as it binds ammonia.

 

[dcphillip]

It would be best to ask the LFS to hold your fish until your tank is properly cycled. How have you done the process? You can add Seachem Prime to buy you roughly 48 hours as it binds ammonia.

Thanks Sebastian. Educate me. Why would you say I’m not properly cycled? I started my cycle over three weeks ago. My assumption here is that I am cycled which is why I added the Cardinal. Ammonia and nitrite is somewhere between zero and .25.

 

[mehaffydr]

1st I would take the time to research and learn from this forum NOT youtube and cautious about local store especially if they are the ones who suggested Live Cycle.
The ammonia needs to be ZERO before you add fish. adding more fish before then is a bad idea.
You need to learn and exercise patience.
In this hobby nothing happens fast except for death.
You will most likely have this aquarium and fish for years and getting in a hurry in the beginning and skipping something like the cycle which only takes a couple weeks will only cost you money and frustration.
Just slow down take it slow and learn from this and you will be successful and have a enjoyable tank.

 

[dcphillip]

What are your current water parameters - not just ammonia?

#fishmedic

Ammonia and nitrites are between zero and .25. Ph is 8.2 and nitrates 5-10.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Oh man, what a bummer. I’m sorry to hear it’s not going well so far. Can you give a little more info on your tank? How old is it? How large is it? What test kits are you using at home?
have you checked nitrites & nitrates? It’s hard to say what could be going on without a little more info but I would guess that it may not be completely cycled yet. Tanks go through multiple cycles in the beginning & it can be very stressful on the fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Focusing on ammonia-ph-nitrate, what are your readings and what test kits are you using ?
Additionally is the fish eating ?
Add oxygen via airstone and change water at 20-25%

 

[dcphillip]

Oh man, what a bummer. I’m sorry to hear it’s not going well so far. Can you give a little more info on your tank? How old is it? How large is it? What test kits are you using at home?
have you checked nitrites & nitrates? It’s hard to say what could be going on without a little more info but I would guess that it may not be completely cycled yet. Tanks go through multiple cycles in the beginning & it can be very stressful on the fish.

Thanks Brit. Tank is 3 weeks old. API kit. Ph:8.2 Ammonia: 0-.25 Nirites: 0-.25 Nitrates: 5-10. Just a 20 gal.

 

[blaxsun]

Thanks Brit. Tank is 3 weeks old. API kit. Ph:8.2 Ammonia: 0-.25 Nirites: 0-.25 Nitrates: 5-10. Just a 20 gal.

Also wondering if the tank has completely cycled. When did you add fish?

 

[dcphillip]

Also wondering if the tank has completely cycled. When did you add fish?

Live cycle so fish went in at the beginning three weeks ago. One clown has been thriving. One clown died a couple days ago. Immediately replaced with new clown and Cardinal since I thought I was cycled and numbers looked good to me. Starting to wonder if it’s my acclimation. Was doing the half cup method to double water within 30 minutes. So I’m reading should double, remove half then double again.

 

[SilkySifaka]

What are your salinity and temperature readings? Do you have good water movement with a power head or strong filter return flow? Amount of dissolved O2 could be a problem if temp is too high and water movement low. Generally 78F is a good temperature and for fish only tank 1.023 +/- 0.002 SG is good for salinity (kept stable). How is your water made? Is it purchase or mixed yourself? If mixed yourself are you using RODI water, and if not are you using dechlorinator? Buy some Seachem Prime from your LFS and have them test your water as well ideally.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Thanks Brit. Tank is 3 weeks old. API kit. Ph:8.2 Ammonia: 0-.25 Nirites: 0-.25 Nitrates: 5-10. Just a 20 gal.

Okay, so you have nitrates. That’s good & an indication that the cycle is happening. I also had the same issues when I first started, almost exactly. The clowns look like they’re doing well, but Banggais can be a little less hardy. The acclimation method you mentioned should be fine but I’m also wondering about oxygen. Do you have the return spout pointed upwards toward the surface of the water? It’s good to have the return breaking the surface to add oxygenation.
Have you seen the cardinal eat anything either in the store or since you added him in your tank? Mine will not eat anything that isn’t meaty/frozen, so flakes and pellets are a no go in my case. Obviously, he’s not going to eat right now but just curious if he had.

 

[dcphillip]

Okay, so you have nitrates. That’s good & an indication that the cycle is happening. I also had the same issues when I first started, almost exactly. The clowns look like they’re doing well, but Banggais can be a little less hardy. The acclimation method you mentioned should be fine but I’m also wondering about oxygen. Do you have the return spout pointed upwards toward the surface of the water? It’s good to have the return breaking the surface to add oxygenation.
Have you seen the cardinal eat anything either in the store or since you added him in your tank? Mine will not eat anything that isn’t meaty/frozen, so flakes and pellets are a no go in my case. Obviously, he’s not going to eat right now but just curious if he had.

Nope he hasn’t eaten anything in my tank but I put him in just a couple days ago. I use frozen misys. Didn’t observe him much at the store I must say. I have cheap quiet flow hang on pump. It does break the water and thought that would create enough oxygen. Yes yes it’s probably going to be upgraded but surely that can’t be the problem here. Maybe my cycle just isn’t as far along as I thought. Thanks again for reply.