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i recently bought 5 danios, three golden and two zebra. within 2 days of buying them, both zebras died, but the goldens dont seem to have been affected.

both zebras were fine when we bought them but they both developed sagging stomachs and didn't swim very far, and one of them didn't eat.

can anyone tell me what coudl have killed my fish?

Hi there,
we need more information than this.
How long has the tank been set up?
Tank size?
Inhabitants?
Test results for Ammonia:
NitrItes?
NitrAtes?



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Did you quarantine the fish before adding? Maybe it had a parasite or worm in its system!

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sorry - more details?
the tank was set up for two weeks prior to adding any fish. It's about 27 litres. There are only danios in it. At the moment, we haven't run any tests, but the remaining three fish are healthy. As we bought all the fish from the same place at the same time, would quarantine be necessary?
Thanks

Ah, that could be the problem. Two weeks isnt enough time to cycle the tank, it usually takes a minimum of 21 days, its possible the shock of going from a cycled shop tank to an uncycled new one may have killed them. While its true danios are a relatively tough fish, able to take some water pollution, the coontrasting conditions may have been too great. Week 2 of a cycle is often when tank conditions are the least hospitable. Most danios survive a cycle , but there will always be some that dont, this is why I personally advocate fishless cycling.


For the initial purchase , quarantine probably isnt necessary, the first tank often serves as a quarantine giving you time to watch the fish long before you add more, and if all fish are sourced from the smae location in a batch there isnt much point in quarantining them and TBH its very unlikely disease would have claimed them in two days with no visible symptoms. Its just environmental shock.

I would also like to ask if you cycled it by adding ammonia or a cycling product the 2weeks before the fish came in. If not, you just wasted your time. I think i told somebody else this.......

Anyway, LHG is right, as the change was probably painful. To help soothe the existing ones, add some plants to absorb ammonia and oxygenate the water.

You should just wait to see if the goldens are affected, and then add a product like cycle or Bio-Spira.

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when i want to cycle a tank faster.depeneding on the size of the tank,i use good ol goldfish,for a 55 gal,i used 10 goldfish,and u would be surprised just how much this,plus a bit of the chemical called cycle,does get your tank cycled much faster than normall

Bubble it takes 6 to 8 weeks to cycle a tank completely. Some fish can take it just because they can, but it does effect their health. Now that you have fish in the tank you need to take water reading every day at least once a day when the the nitrate levels get high do a 20% percent water change. Cut back on the food, just once a day and just enough to keep the fish fed. Try and see if you can find some plants water sprite is good because it grows quickly and does not require strong lighting. Look at LFS ask them. Also put an air stone in the water as the cycling reduces oxygen because it uses it. When doing the water change, divide the footprint of the tank in to four sections and rotate then each week. Also buy a produce called cycle or bio-sphere, they will not make your cycle time a over night thing, but you should be able to shave off a week from the process. DON'T add ammonia to the water as the fish and food will create that itself. If your using a hang on filter leave it dirty don't change it until the process is complete. After you tank has fully cycle you can add fish but slowly a few at a time, a mini cycle will occur as the tank adjust to the new bio-load. If add to many to quick you Nitrate will shoot up again and you could lost a few more fish.

What you just experienced is called New Tank Syndrome, something most first time hobbyist experience. If you test you water daily and do the water change when needed than you will be fine and will be able to enjoy your new pets.

Hokese I don't know of an proven way to do a quick cycle. I not sure if gold fish is what you want to cycle a tank with if your going to put tropicals in it, their chemistry make up is different. One way I have found that will speed it up a little is use your bio materials from an all ready cycled tank. Also, I fill a new tank with 1/3 of vacuumed water from another tank, Thus giving me waste and bacteria. Here another trick add the cycle products to your filter not the tank. this put the bacteria in contact with your bio materials first, and them the extra goes to to the tank and into the gravel.

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Heya!
Thanks everyone for your help! So far the three remaining fish have survived, so fingers (and fins) crossed for the future.
I'll start doing those tests sometime soon (like tomorrow).
Anyway - thankyou!!

Bubble this is something that need to be done ASAP. It like us swimming in acid. You need to do more than test, with fish in there You will need to change 20% of the water. I've seen the Nitrate go from 10mg/l to 60mg/l in a matter of hours in a stocked un-cycled tank. Any thing over 40mg/l will effect the health of you fish. ie possible death.

Djrichie
"Don't Panic"

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams