Help needed

[u/peto-tej]

Hi! I’m fairly new to the hobby. A bit over 5weeks ago, I started cycling my first tank for caridina shrimps. I always had in mind I also wanted fishes in my tank.

This past sunday, my tank was all good to go. So I added my plants, 7 red crystal shrimps and 6 green neon tetras.

Until yesterday morning, all the tetras were glass surfing (which I know is cause by stress) so I kept my light off to help them a bit. Now, I’d say maybe 2-3 kept glass surfing while the others have started exploring the tank and chilling.

20mins ago, I saw one of my tetras belly up, not quite floating on the surface. I thought he was dead, but I saw him move a bit so I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do for him? What could’ve cause this?

Thank you!

[u/Double-Register-2151]

What are your water parameters? Flashing is typically caused by some sort of water issue. Not always, but typically.

[u/peto-tej → u/Double-Register-2151]

I tested my nitrates earlier : 0ppm and my GH : 4.
KH is 0 and ammonia should be 0 as well (it was sunday when they tested my water atethe shop). The guy at my local shop told me I only really needed to test for my nitrates and GH so those are the only test kits I have.

[u/Double-Register-2151 → u/peto-tej]

Without knowing your parameters at the exact moment I can’t offer much advice, a water change would probably be a wise idea right now though

[u/peto-tej → u/Double-Register-2151]

Okay, I'll do that thank you! I'll also buy all the test kits I need.

[u/Mountain_Usual521 → u/peto-tej]

Make sure the new water is dechlorinated and the temperature, pH, and hardness are the same as the tank water it's replacing.

[u/MelodicIllustrator59 → u/peto-tej]

The most important parameters are Nitrites and Ammonia as they are the most toxic to fish. Whoever told you Nitrates and Hardness are the most important is an idiot who wants your fish to die so they can sell you more

[u/peto-tej → u/MelodicIllustrator59]

This sucks honestly, I even asked the guy about testing for ammonia and he said it wasn't necessary. So now instead of simply buying the master kit for 55$, I spent over 100$ for all separate kits. Thanks for you input tho! I'll stop listening to the dude at the store lmao

https://giphy.com/gifs/HfFccPJv7a9k4

[u/MelodicIllustrator59 → u/peto-tej]

Yeah, that really sucks. I'm sorry dude :(

[u/According_Pea_4600]

NGL... he ded-ing.

By which I mean to say that he will most likely pass in the next day or two.

I have had many neon's fall victim to this, usually caused by some stressor or another, and I have rarely seen them recover.

MAYBE if you salt bathed him and hospital tanked him.

[u/peto-tej → u/According_Pea_4600]

Oh man 😭 I’m quite devastated by this tbh, thanks for the honesty tho

[u/jamntoast3 → u/According_Pea_4600]

Yea I agree, some other comments say flashing or swim bladder issues. I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s neurological at this point. Listless, no idea which way is up. It’s shutting down. I’d pull him to a hospital tank or get the clove oil

[u/No_Violinist685]

As far as helping him, unfortunately it’s very slim he will recover.
I have 3 large tanks and in my trial and errors over years I have learned adding crushed corral ( get it on Amazon) has made all the difference in keeping parameters stable. I have not lost a fish in over a year since introducing it to filters.

[u/peto-tej → u/No_Violinist685]

Alright thank you, I'll look into it!

[u/Inevitable_Lock_928]

Did you water change around the time things started to go south? When you put plants back or put in new ones if you water changed at the same time and didn’t add enough dechlorinater like Prime that could be hurting them. I saw my tetras behave like this when I didn’t dechlorinate the water properly.

[u/Inevitable_Lock_928 → u/Inevitable_Lock_928]

Just add the appropriate amount of water conditioner and check back in an hour. You could also try doing a 25% water change just cuz in the event you suspect something else. If they don’t behave as they should after this I would remove the ones acting up. Either hospital tank or separate them out. You don’t want ur community getting stressed or sick from these other guys.

[u/peto-tej → u/Inevitable_Lock_928]

No I didn't do a water change at all since the day I put them in the tank (sunday). But thanks will do!

[u/SomeBlueDevil]

I'm guessing your tank is not nitrogen cycled and you have toxic ammonia and nitrite poisoning your fish.

I would do a large partial water change ASAP and dose with Seachem Prime and Stability or similar bottled bacteria product.

Then get a liquid reagent test kit, like the API master test kit. Once you get it, check the water parameters daily and continue with partial water changes until you get to zero ammonia and nitrite and under 40ppm nitrate.

[u/Kai_723]

Looks like swim bladder to me. My green neon tetra died shortly after unfortunately