Loss of Cardinal Tetras

**lovebob103** · 09-08-2012, 09:42 AM

Can anyone help with my problem. I have had a new aquarium 180 ltr fluval corner tank for about 6 months now and have a number of neon/cardinal tetras 20 in all but have lost about half. The fish stay at the bottom of the tank all the time but are feeding ok. I have also 3 clown loach which are lively, feeding well good contrasting colour. I kept cardinals in my last tank without and problem so I am mystified. I have checked the water quality and all appears ok. I am holding off adding more fish until the problem is resolved.
My user name is my name backwords in case you are curious

**ameliaaahx** · 09-08-2012, 10:19 AM

"Appears okay" doesn't tell us anything.

What is your Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate? Exact numbers please. Also what are you using for testing?

Have you made any changes to the tank?

How recently did you start losing tetras? Have they died gradually over 6 months or is this recent?

Also those Clown Loaches are extremely inappropriate for your tank size and also should be in a school.

**Lady Hobbs** · 09-08-2012, 02:28 PM

Bob, I notice you posted you have just gotten back into this hobby so I was wondering if you had cycled the tank? (Links below)

Bottom feeders are the last fish to go in a tank after it's cycled because water at the bottom is the most toxic. Cardinals and neons are imported and very sensitive fish to toxic levels, as well.

As mentioned already, you need a good test kit so you know what level of toxins you have. The API liquid tester is the cheapest and most often used. Paper strips are more expensive in the long run and not very accurate but are better than nothing. I don't think they test for ammonia tho and that's the most important test to take.

Clown loaches are slow growers, live 20 years but get huge. They are better off in large tanks.

**lovebob103** · 09-09-2012, 08:26 AM

Thanks both for your replies. I will try to answer as accuratley as poosible.
The tank was recylcled for 3 months and I started losing tetras gradually over a couple of months
I use API liquid testing kit and the results were as follows nitrate and nitrite 0. Ammonia the liquid was clear no colour I am assuming this is ok as 0 is a light yellow colour. High PH range is 7.8 PH is 7.
I am interested in your comments regarding the clown loach is this because of the size of the fish and what is the maximum size you reccomend for 180ltr tank.
I use silk actficial plants. The filter is a fluval 360. The water is airated using an airstone. In my old tank I had cardinal tetras and that swam in the middle of the tanks but these are at the bottom all th time

**ameliaaahx** · 09-09-2012, 08:59 AM

Concerned about your test kit. I think it may be expired or you are not doing it correctly.

The ammonia result should not to clear -- that means the test kit is not working.

If you tank is cycled you should have some Nitrate.

Either your test kit is being extremely dodgy, or your tank is not cycled at all.

I would start doing big water changes. If you test kit is acting up, you may have an uncycled tank with high ammonia OR nitrate levels 40< and not even know about it. Nitrate starts to become toxic above 40ppm.

Do some water changes, and go buy a new test kit.