Cardinal Tetras not doing so well

[axl]

Hi,
just back from Melbourne on Friday with 30 cardinal tetras and 10 have already died. Lost 4 the first night and 6 the 2nd night and it has been cold here at nights. Temps is on 29 and they are in there with a small checkerboard discus that i purchased as well. They are in quartine at the moment and i dont no if i should put them straight in the main tank with the other discus. They seem to be all eating fine?? Any thoughts
Cheers Axl

[Goerge_of_the_Jungle]

Its always good to QT your fish before you mix them with the rest of the population.

I QT all my fish (tetras included) for 1 - 2 weeks - depending on certain circumstances (others may vary their QT time) to monitor their health and well being before i mix them into one of my tanks.

You do this because you never know what the fish is carrying - could have worms or parasites that could spread to your other fish if not treated BEFORE you mix them in.

RE: losing fish ...
You will sometimes lose fish during a long journey - there are many factors - stress, lack of Oxygen, poorly bred/kept by the seller, large difference in water parameters between your water and the sellers water and more that i cant think of at the moment lol - fact if, you will SOMETIMES lose some, usually small ones go first (like tetras).

[axl]

Yeah i always quartine my fish and the smaller 1's have died first, i have just put some multi cure in there just in case there is some fungus. Its just dissapointing to see $ 30 down the drain like that quickly.

[Heiko Bleher]

Hi,

this is Heiko Bleher and I can only see that the cardinals you bought had a problem at its source (not QT long enough at the petshop/wholesaler, to freshly imported). You problem, if the fish die or are sick from the start, is normally your source. If they die 7 days after placing them or later, it is normally a problem at your own place.

But in any case - always keep fishes QT at least for 21 days before mixing them into your arquarium: 7 days to see that the are good, 7 days to cure and 7 days to feed well, that already my grandfather tought me...

You should come to my lectures in Perth on June 2nd...

All the best

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com

[Greggy]

Where will you be lecturing in Perth Heiko? How can we contact/find you?

Regards,

Greg

[Bill Tune]

How long do people expect cardinals to last, by the way?
Mine seem to start to fade after about 6 months - often starts with a darkenning at the base of the tail, then they kind of "lose it"...

[ILLUSN]

cardinals are good for atleast 3 years by that stage they are about 4cm in body length.

[Bill Tune]

So why do mine not last so long?
Is it water condition related? I have found in the past if I have been a bit remiss with water changes then I can start to lose a few - especially glow lights, but the cardinals as well.

[ILLUSN]

glowlights are tough as nails i've got over 50 in a 6x2x2 that gets a water change maybe once every 3 months (planted tank with diy denitriter and massive filtration).

I'd never dare put cardinals in it though, do you buy your cardinals big or small?

[TW]

What are glow lights? I have some Rasbora espei, which the LFS I bought them from calls Glowlight Rasboras. Just wondering if you mean these fish, or something different?

[ILLUSN]

Glowlights are a type of tetra, basicly a bronze coloured neon with a bright orange stripe, tough as nails.

[Bill Tune]

Well, my nails get a bit rusty & I don't know why!