I bought a fish tank and my fish keep dying/ what do i do?

Question

I bought a fish tank and my fish keep dying/ what do i do?

Answer 1

Clean the tank really good, get some DE-cloinater tap water is no good for fish. You can also try to find some ph balancer and try letting the tank run for a few days without any fish. Then flot your fish in the bag that they come in for a few hours befor you put them in the tank. Also you might have better luck with fish that are a little bigger small ones tend to die pretty easly.

Answer 2

i don't think it's vitamin drops you need. call another pet store.

Answer 3

Your fish are dieng because the tank isn't ready for them. Fish need bacteria to survive this is called a biological filter (B.F). It does all the work in your tank. You don't have one yet.



The B.F takes all of the poop your fish make and then turns it into a harmless substance. Without the B.F. your water becomes cloudy your ammonia goes up and your fish die.



To build a B.F. you need patience. The most difficult thing someone can ask for. Essentially let your tank run- everything on- without fish in it for a couple of days. The fish that were in there left some waste behind. This will grow some microscopic bacteria. Then you can add ONE fish. He will produce waste increasing the amount of bacteria. After a week or so you can add another fish.



If you put a whole lot of fish in at the same time your ecosystem is slammed. Nature kills some of the fish off to balance it out.



This is often referred to as cycling your tank, the Nitrogen cycle and New Tank Syndrome.



When you do water changes never remove more then 1/3 of the water and never remove the gravel(buy a gravel vacuum). This is where the bacteria live. Really "cleaning" your tank is actually just killing the B.F. Then you have to start the cycle over and you will probably lose a lot of fish again.



Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

Chances are your tank also smells like a kitty litter box, or smells of ammonia. What is happening is that the ammonia levels in your tank have spiked due to not having enough bacteria in the water to consume all of the available ammonia and nitrites that are in your tank because the nitrogen cycle has not completed. The average nitrogen cycle takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks. There are several ways to cycle your tank:



Fishless cycling: you'll have to research it on the web, I'm not very familiar with it. It involves not adding any fish into your aquarium for a period of several weeks and building up the bacteria that consume the excess ammonia by adding household ammonia to the water at a specified rate.



The old fashioned way: waiting it out, testing the ammonia and nitrogen levels in your tank on a daily basis and preforming water changes to try to keep the fish that you have in the tank alive. You need to keep the fish alive because they are helping to build the bio-load of the tank by producing ammonia through their waste and from the left over food. If this is the option that you choose, I would recommend a cheap and hardy fish that can stand extreme conditions. I have used zebra danios in the past, you can usually find the common ones on sale for around 3 for a $1.



Lastly, here is a new product on the market called Bio-Spira. It is typically available at most pet stores (I know that Petland carries it) and costs between $10-20, a small packet is enough to cycle a 30 gallon tank. This is a refrigerated product that has been developed to essentially fast forward the nitrogen cycle. Pet stores will try to sell you Cycle and Stress Coat in place of Bio Spira-- these are NOT the same and DO NOT do the same thing. Bio Spira contains the bacteria that consume ammonia and other toxins in the water. This product is refrigerated so that the bacteria stay dormant. I have used this product with much success. About 6 months ago, I started a 30 gallon tank using Bio Spira and added angelfish and neon tetras that day. All have survived. When using this product, fish have to be added within 24 hours and I would recommend adding fish when you add the Bio Spira, otherwise the bacteria will die off because they have no ammonia or nitrites to feed on. You cannot overdose an aquarium on Bio-Spira. This is easiest way to cycle a tank provided that you can find the Bio-Spira.





Since you already have fish in the aquarium, if you choose to use the Bio-Spira, I would place the fish in a empty butter bowl or some other container until you can preform a complete water change of the aquarium, adding both a de-chlorinator to remove the chlorine, and the Bio-Spira. Once these are added you can immediately re-introduce the fish to the aquarium.



As others have said you also want to make sure that gravel has been washed thoroughly. If you are using carbon filtration you also want to make sure that the water is running through the carbon is clear otherwise the carbon particles in the water can become trapped in the fishes gills as well.

Answer 5

sorry to hear that but you must put water in the tank

Answer 6

you feed them to much dont feed them as much i had mt fish for 3 years i dont clean out the tank but once a year you should not feed them alot it make water cloudy

Answer 7

Buy some cloudy water drops and put it in the water. Dont put to much of anything. Then i would recamend AquaSafe to keep the Chlorine and other stuff dangerous to fish.

Answer 8

Go ask the people that sold it to you.

Answer 9

My fish were doing the same thing. This last fish I got has lived for a long time now. Instead of using tap water with the drops buy some spring water by the gallon at walmart. U may come out spending more depending on how big your tank is but if u want ur fish to live this is the best way good luck

Answer 10

Add a bottle of aqua-safe dechlorinator (this will remove the harmful chemicals) to the water and follow the instructions exactly. Your tank should be ready for some new fish in about seven days. Make sure that before you add the fish you put the bag in the water to let the water temp acclimate for 15 mins.(this will prevent your fish from going into shock). Do you have a heater for your tank. Heaters are a must for tropical fish. They keep the temperature balanced.





It sounds like you put your fish in the tank too early, you sould always allow at least a week to let the water "age" before you add your fish. The cloudiness you are experiencing is normal. This is a good sign that the healthy bacteria the fish need is growing in the water. All you can do for them now is to wait.



I wish you and your new aquatic friends the best and happy fishkeeping.

Answer 11

When setting up your tank you need to make sure you have a filter, gravel (or approved sand), some aquarium plants, and possibly an airstone.



Turn on the filter and let the tank circulate water for two weeks before adding fish. Adding fish to a brand new tank will kill them. Also, you need to clean the gravel before adding it to the tank. The dust will lodge into the fish's gills and kill them.



Wait until the water is clear before adding your "scout fish" and let that one fish (usually a hardy one like a goldfish or a corycat) swim around for about a week before adding the fish you buy.



After you are sure that fish is doing well, and the other fish are doing well, make sure you change the filter once every month, change the water ever other week and feed your fish at least once everyother day (more is nice, but not so much that they won't eat it, since this can cause a bacterial build up.)



If you are using tapwater to fill your fishtank, the chlorine is probably the main reason your fish are dying. To neutralize the chlorine, buy some AquaSafe (regualr or for goldfish) and add it to the water. FloraPride helps keep your plants alive (they contribute to cleaning the water and providing oxygen for the fish.) Aquarium Salt can be bought at the store and this helps condition the water for your fish, Melafix is the number one thing to use when your fish get ill, and Prime should be used for water changes and whenever you start a new tank.



Also, check out http://tetra-fish.com/aquarium/default.aspx and have them send you weekly e-mails as reminders for taking care of your fish.



Other than that, there's not much you can do for them. If you bought saltwater fish, I recommend returning them immediatly, because they are the hardest fish to take care of and the water has to be PERFECT in order for them to survive. Making this water perfect can take up to two months depending on the size of your tank.



Just make sure your fish always look healthy, and try to get the care sheets from http://www.petco.com/CareSheets/CareSheets.aspx?Nav=154 and read the articels at http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleTopics.aspx?PC=articletopic&Nav=153 whenever you think something may be wrong.



Good luck with future fish!

Answer 12

Be sure that you follow the instructions on the chlorine remover and vitamins very carefully - and that you are not overfeeding. This can cause cloudy water in addition to too much sun.



Does your tank have a purifier or filtration system? How many gallons - fresh or salt? What type of fish? All these things can contribute to the condition on the water in your tank.



I would talk again with your local pet shop and see what suggestions they have for solving the problem.

Answer 13

First make sure you know whether you have goldfish( cold water fish) or tropical fish which are warm water, in which case you have to make sure the temperature is correct when you put them in, a temperature Gage can be bought at the pet store.

Make sure you never wash your fish bowl with soap and you cannot put a fish directly into tap/bottled water, you have to buy the drops to put in the water to take out the chlorine before you put the fish in.

You can also buy a water tester from your local pet store, or take a sample of your water in and they will test it for free for you.

Make sure you ask the pet shop assistance how to care for the fish when you buy it.

Answer 14

Keeping Your Aquarium Fish Healthy

Fish health starts with the selection of the fish themselves. Choose a pet store not only for their inventory and the size of their livestock selection, but also for the quality of their staff and management.



Next to service, the store and the aquariums need to be well maintained. Some signs to look out for and to be avoided are cloudy tanks, decaying plants, dirty tanks, cloudy eyes, torn or clamped fins, sores on the skin, signs of illness or dead fish, and any other signs of neglected care.

Newly arrived fish should be handled with caution since the travel yields significant stress on the fish.



Healthy fish are active and bright in color.



If you are setting up new aquarium and initially stocking the tank, it is very important to follow some basic guidelines regarding what is suitable and compatible. If in doubt, a water sample can be taken to the pet store. Their staff can aid in the selection of fish as well as the determination of whether your tank is ready to support live.



Generally new fish should be placed into a quarantine tank upon arrival at home. This will significantly lower (possibly eliminate) the introduction of any possible disease into the main tank carried by the new fish. Considering the investment of some fish as well, will quickly justify the purchase of a small tank and filter for quarantine purposes.



After taking the pre-cautions above, good aquarium maintenance practices should be in implemented to assure the aquatic environment remains healthy and life sustainable.

Answer 15

For my tap water, chlorine is added by the water company to keep the water germ-free. The chlorine can kill your fish (like it kills germs).

Use the correct amount of de-chlorine chemical -- per your pet store adviser. Make sure the water is the correct temperature and pH.



Some pet fish tolerate harsh water and some are extremely intolerant to harsh water.

Answer 16

Make sure that you have cleaned the tank and anything that was in the tank very throughly before you put new water in it. Put clean water in, then check the water that it is condusive to the type of fish that you have, take a sample into the fish store for them to check it out before adding the fish.

Answer 17

It usually takes a day or two for the water to clear up. This happens everytime I clean the fish tank out and put clean water. It could be you're overfeeding your fish, if they keep dying. You don't mention what type of fish you have.

Answer 18

I read in a book that you're supposed to wait up to two weeks to set up a new tank. The foggyness is just one of the steps showing that the tank is building up all it needs to have the fish survive. I think you should wait a while before you put more fish in the tank.

Answer 19

BIOLOGICAL CYCLE EXPLAINED. After tank has been set up/water is added plus a water conditioner(de-clorinator), Heater (if needed) is hooked up, and filter is running properly. Once the mechanicals have been established as working properly, and the tank has had at a min. 24-48 hours to de-clorinate, you can then add fish. First you must decide on what kind of fish you plan to keep, then (with help of petstore) pick out a hardy species of "starter fish" a fish compatable with the ones your planing on keeping. BIOLOGICAL CYCLE- when you first introduce your "starter fish" to your tank they will introduce fishy waste. Fishy waste is Ammonia. Ammonia is toxic to fish, But as this is happening there are good bacterias starting to form/colonize in your gravel called "benefical bacteria" They like to eat ammonia. So the fish and the bacteria have a relationship of sorts, fish do not die from ammonia and bacteria can live on it. As the bacteria eats it breaks the ammn. down into nitrite. This nitrite is Usually only present during your first month, then the bacteria breaks it down to nitrates. Nitrates can be harmfull after a period of time as the levels will eventually begin to "build up" in the tank. This is when you as the owner of the tank will need to step in and do a water change. This is also will tell you when to do a water change. Anyways, in your first day of having fish, and since the bacteria just got started it will only be able to support a small amount of fish to begin with. This is why you want hardy starter fish and they need to be the only fish in there for the first month. As your tank cycle you will have Spikes in your water chemistry that is very hard on your fish. These spikes will happen every seven days for the first month. THere are supplements you can add to the water to help with this (cycle,or stress zyme) are good products. As your tank cycles your water might get hazy. This process not unusuall. RECAP .... remember to feed your fish small amounts of food during the month of cycling, fish will not eat as much food due to the chemical shifts/spikes. Pick out hardy species, and do not add to many, any fish in excess of what the bacteria can support will die. IF you ever have any doubt or concern about your tank at anytime your first step will always be Test your water. From the test you can with help fiqure out what problems might be going on in your fishes enviroment. Also certain fish should not be used for cycling i will list some incase the petstore you go to is ignorant. NEver use any type of Molly, Platy, Guppy, or Swordtail they are livebearers and very sensitive to the water peramiters. No scaless fish, that includes algae eaters, cory cats/catfish species. Although most tetras are hardy fish the exceptions are neon tetras and cardinal tetras who are sensitive to water. Good luck

Answer 20

look at lighting and check nitrogen and ph levels then check to see if your numbers are safe if not its easy enough to fix, use less light around the tank check the water temperature and if all is well wait about 5-7 days before you put in fish to see if the water is the problem or the fish themselves then buy fish if all is well and if it still goes wrong buy fish from another location oh yeah check your filter... make sure it works and that it is installed properly

Answer 21

well me and my friend won 11 fish at our school picnic and they all died every thing was fine. I found out that some breeds of fish don't live that long try a dffrent area and... research a lot of fish then pick on and buy one

Answer 22

IF you are properly filtering and the water is cloudy you may be overfeeding them. Which would make the water cloudy. Also do not put them in chlorinated water let it sit for 24 hours first then add them to it. Temp. is also a big factor.

Answer 23

That happened to me alot. You can't just put them in a water tank you need a bottle of this chemicle, i 4got the name but u can go to wal-mart and ask for it.

Answer 24

it depends on the fish you have the easiest is the gold fish my friends barley feeds it and it's still alive after 3 years. it's mean I know.

Answer 25

cute pal! have u attached a oxygen tube in ur fish tank?

Answer 26

Don't let too much sun light hit the tank.

Answer 27

do a search on 'nitrogen cycle' learn it and practice that and fish will do better and live longer

Answer 28

Make certain you don't have any mold growing in the water!

Answer 29

buy a different type of pet like a dog or cat.

Answer 30

fry them and then eat them

Answer 31

U DO.

PUT C LEAN WARTER IN THE TANCK