My "Fishies" Died

[Nine]

I went insane trying to keep tropical fish. It seems like they just fucking die regardless of what you do. I read everything I could find about them bought the best of everything I needed and inevitably they would kick the bucket.

This was when I was like 12-13 so its entirely possible I kept fucking it up.

[Losty]

I used to have fishes. I think the calming liquid (aka happy sauce) helps a lot. Fish get stressed really easily and sometimes even if you're really careful about temperatures they still get stressed out and die.

[Chad32]

This is why it's generally best not to try exotic pets. Even with the best of intentions, your new pet may die.

[Zack]

Massive temp swings can put tropical fish into shock. (Sometimes the recover sometimes they don't.) It is recommended that you transfer fish to a plastic bag/ziplock with the old water and then when the new water is ready put the bag in the new and let it come to the temp of the tank in an hours time. Then transfer the fish keeping the old water out of the new. This should be done any time you take a fish out of one ecosystem and place him in another. (Especially when you bring a new one home for the first time.) also if your going to get serious you might want to get some water test strips.

This is very sound advice. I was going to blame the Beta (too aggressive) until I read they all died after a water change. You might need to add conditioners to the water. The water from your tap/well can have chemicals that are harmful to fish. You really shouldn't change all the water out at once, maybe a 1/3 or 1/4 at a time. As an afterthought, might want to hold off on those tank changes if you live close to Toledo, Ohio!

[Chad32]

I remember as a kid I had fish in a fish bowl. I always figured they didn't live very long because they were fish. Not because a bowl of water is a bad place to have a fish.

[Jackalope]

Massive temp swings can put tropical fish into shock. (Sometimes the recover sometimes they don't.) It is recommended that you transfer fish to a plastic bag/ziplock with the old water and then when the new water is ready put the bag in the new and let it come to the temp of the tank in an hours time. Then transfer the fish keeping the old water out of the new. This should be done any time you take a fish out of one ecosystem and place him in another. (Especially when you bring a new one home for the first time.) also if your going to get serious you might want to get some water test strips.

This is very sound advice. I was going to blame the Beta (too aggressive) until I read they all died after a water change. You might need to add conditioners to the water. The water from your tap/well can have chemicals that are harmful to fish. You really shouldn't change all the water out at once, maybe a 1/3 or 1/4 at a time. As an afterthought, might want to hold off on those tank changes if you live close to Toledo, Ohio!

I'd use reverse-osmosis filtered water. The bulk stuff that some grocers sell for around a quarter a gallon is fine.

I can sympathize, OP - I had a tank full of gorgeous African cichlids when the ex invited me to play the elsewhere game, and sadly, they didn't take kindly to being moved. I restarted the tank a year or so later as a saltwater tank - the sacrificial starters made it through a couple of months, and then the tang and triggerfish I added after that were doing well - until they weren't.

It's still a mystery to me.

Still have the 90 gallon tank sitting idle in my room.

Was this a new tank, OP? If so, I would recommend starting the tank with something inexpensive and expendable to get the hang of things and get the nitrogen cycle going.

[rexbeccarox]

Every time I see this thread title, I feel the need to post this. Got to get it out of my system!





(plus I love the Cat Empire)

[bennyboy]

I'm not a fan of cats, or anything with the word "Cat" in it. But those guys are pretty groovy.

[rexbeccarox]

I'm not a fan of cats, or anything with the word "Cat" in it. But those guys are pretty groovy.

You should see them live! They put on the kind of show you never want to end.

[LivingNumbers6.626]

Massive temp swings can put tropical fish into shock. (Sometimes the recover sometimes they don't.) It is recommended that you transfer fish to a plastic bag/ziplock with the old water and then when the new water is ready put the bag in the new and let it come to the temp of the tank in an hours time. Then transfer the fish keeping the old water out of the new. This should be done any time you take a fish out of one ecosystem and place him in another. (Especially when you bring a new one home for the first time.) also if your going to get serious you might want to get some water test strips.

Wow! Thank you so much! I will certainly use this information .

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Massive temp swings can put tropical fish into shock. (Sometimes the recover sometimes they don't.) It is recommended that you transfer fish to a plastic bag/ziplock with the old water and then when the new water is ready put the bag in the new and let it come to the temp of the tank in an hours time. Then transfer the fish keeping the old water out of the new. This should be done any time you take a fish out of one ecosystem and place him in another. (Especially when you bring a new one home for the first time.) also if your going to get serious you might want to get some water test strips.

This is very sound advice. I was going to blame the Beta (too aggressive) until I read they all died after a water change. You might need to add conditioners to the water. The water from your tap/well can have chemicals that are harmful to fish. You really shouldn't change all the water out at once, maybe a 1/3 or 1/4 at a time. As an afterthought, might want to hold off on those tank changes if you live close to Toledo, Ohio!

luckily, I live in CA. I will use your advice! thank you!

---

This is very sound advice. I was going to blame the Beta (too aggressive) until I read they all died after a water change. You might need to add conditioners to the water. The water from your tap/well can have chemicals that are harmful to fish. You really shouldn't change all the water out at once, maybe a 1/3 or 1/4 at a time. As an afterthought, might want to hold off on those tank changes if you live close to Toledo, Ohio!

I'd use reverse-osmosis filtered water. The bulk stuff that some grocers sell for around a quarter a gallon is fine.

I can sympathize, OP - I had a tank full of gorgeous African cichlids when the ex invited me to play the elsewhere game, and sadly, they didn't take kindly to being moved. I restarted the tank a year or so later as a saltwater tank - the sacrificial starters made it through a couple of months, and then the tang and triggerfish I added after that were doing well - until they weren't.

It's still a mystery to me.

Still have the 90 gallon tank sitting idle in my room.

Was this a new tank, OP? If so, I would recommend starting the tank with something inexpensive and expendable to get the hang of things and get the nitrogen cycle going.

It's just a still water tank that was new. You're right, I probably won't start up the hobby again until I upgrade to a tank with the capabilities you previously mentioned.