QT issues

**Limming** · 01-30-2013, 08:15 PM

I set up my first QT tank yesterday with media from my AC30s in a Penguin 150. My parameters are 0 ammonia and nitrite and less then 5 nitrates with a heater and air stone. The temp is steady at 80. The issue is my fish, there are 4 blood fins in and 3 are nicely colored and doing well. The 4th is full size and active but has not colored up. Might this be from stress of transporting and moving or is there something else I look into? They ate a little bit this morning roughly 12 hours after being added and I'm going to try and feed them a bit more tonight.

**Trillianne** · 01-30-2013, 08:36 PM

What you are describing is exactly why you QT. There are many reasons a fish could be not coloring up.. stress and acclimation or something more serious. QT lets you observe.

Do you know how to differentiate the genders you have? It may be you have 3 males and one female and that is causing the lone lady some stress too.

**Limming** · 01-30-2013, 08:41 PM

Not sure I've tried to tell them apart but can't seem to. The three that are doing well are smaller (about a inch) and the problem fish is about 2 inches might this be part of the problem?

**mizzoutank** · 01-30-2013, 08:49 PM

I have bloodfins and a couple of them never really colored up like the rest.
It could be genetics, gender, or runts of the family.

but they are active, healthy and eating.

Good for you to QT-like Trillianne said-this is why you QT and good reason to do so.

**Limming** · 01-30-2013, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by mizzoutank

I have bloodfins and a couple of them never really colored up like the rest.
It could be genetics, gender, or runts of the family.

but they are active, healthy and eating.

Good for you to QT-like Trillianne said-this is why you QT and good reason to do so.

Thats good to know Mizzou! I'll stop worrying about it so much as long as it keeps doing well.

**Cliff** · 01-30-2013, 09:38 PM

I'm always happy to read about people using QT set-ups

Good job

**Limming** · 01-31-2013, 02:41 AM

Thanks Cliff! They are still lethargic and hardly eating... I'm getting a little worried but not sure what I can do last parameter check was about 5 hours ago and was 0 ammonia and nitrite and less then 5 nitrate the filter is seeded with media from my display tank.

**mizzoutank** · 01-31-2013, 03:17 AM

keep the lights off and don't feed for a few days. that may help. they may be overworked.

also, when does the lfs get the fish in, then you bought them?

**Limming** · 01-31-2013, 03:28 AM

I think they get the shipment in on Fridays (never been able to get a straight answer) and got them Tuesday night. When I went it earlier in the day however I saw fish acclimating but don't think the tetras were part of that shipment. This might be the answer I'll leave the light off and not feed for a couple of days and see what happens.