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Hi,

Am keeping congo tetras for the first time. Over the past four days I've been losing congo tetras for no apparent reason. Have lost five apparently healthy fish. I started with a school of five two weeks ago. They settled well and appeared healthy so after a week I added another 5 from the same shop (and batch) I got them from. The shop owner has had the fish for a month and according to him, low mortality rate for that particular batch. After a few days I started losing them one by one. I have no idea why.

They looked healthy and I could not detect any signs of the upcoming losses. The fish looked fine and they were active and feeding. They are housed in a 4' planted aquarium with 4 rainbowfish, 3 flying foxes and a couple of clown loaches. Hardly agressive tank mates, they are all healthy and have been living in the aquarium well before the tetras arrived save for 2 rainbowfish which were purchased at the same time.

pH level is about 6.8 to 7. Water changes every fortnight and at most, 25% of the water. The aquarium is filtered with a external canister filter and there is a DIY CO2 for the plants. The wood in the tank isn't suspect either as I have had them for years and in various tanks previously. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

- Sen -

Welcome to the site, Sen. From what you've given us not sure what the problem might be. If you could post the rest of your water parameters it might help in the diagnostics. Need the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels and if possible post the actual readings.

If you don't have a test kit you could take a sample to your lfs for readings.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I don't know the other water parameters other than the pH level. Don't have a test kit. At present, am suspecting internal infection - bacteria, parasites - and treating accordingly. Thought I should do something (anything!) over leaving them as is. Am considering removing the rainbowfish as well.

Anyone has any thoughts?

- Sen -

Sen

Have you just introduced the Tetras if so contact where you bought them and see what they have to say. Certainly take a water sample for a full test. Also I would recommend doing the water change weekly.

Keith

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The Rainbows should be fine with the Congo's I had rainbows with my Congo's for about a year and they all got along fine even shoaled together so that's not your problem. Like you say it is most likely some sort of parasite or there could be one other thing. Have you been watching the Congo's closely? Because what some times can happen is the first lot of male Congo's that you put in will have sorted out between them who is the boss and formed a group which is based around any females now if you add more males later this will upset that group and fights will occur for the place of boss again this can even mean fighting to the death. Now one of my Congo tetras decided he was fed up with the boss so he challenged him for the bosses place and they fought and fought ripping shreds out of each other until one backed down if they don't back down they will fight until one is dead. My one that challenged the boss ended up being the boss eventfully by blinding the boss that was so he had to step down all is well again now though until they get fed up again and want to be boss. Do any of your dead ones show any signs of shredded fins or scales missing? Watch them closely. I would most likely say it is some kind of parasite though but it is one more possible answer.

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Thank you all for your help and advice. I've decided not to give up on keeping congos as I really like them and I think they're beautiful fish. I will eventually replace the ones I've lost and will take all the info and advice I've received and hopefully this will translate into some success with this fish.

Thanks again!

Oh no please don't give up on them they really are a beautiful fish and so intresting to watch. I hope you track the problem down and get it sorted so that you can enjoy them.

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