Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: sunshine on February 25, 2015, 06:53:48 PM

Title: filter casualties :-(
Post by: sunshine on February 25, 2015, 06:53:48 PM

Hi

After adding 4 new ember tetras on Friday, I was so pleased with my shoal of 12. Counted them on Saturday - still 12, then counted on Sunday & could only find 10   :-\  As they dart here, there & everywhere thought I'd miscounted.  Realised sponge on filter wasn't in place & slits on pipe were visible so fixed it.

Monday was manic - involved my elderly frail Ma, an ambulance with blues & twos and A & E.  So quick fish count in the evening - still 10.  Anyway, today I decided I have to find these fish so checked filter & there they were!  :'(

Glad I found them!  Now the others are hiding away in the plants  :-\

Title: Re: filter casualties :-(
Post by: Sue on February 25, 2015, 07:01:08 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your mother, I hope she's OK or at least on her way to recovery. I do know what it's like  :(

The ember tetras - the most likely explanation is that they were sick or dead when they got sucked into the filter. Fit healthy fish can usually swim away.
In my experience whenever I buy a shoal of fish, one or two of them don't make it beyond a few days. There are always some iffy fish in the tank at the shop regardless of which shop it is, and those are just the ones showing it. I'm sure it has to do with the conditions the fish are now mass bred in at fish farms.

Title: Re: filter casualties :-(
Post by: sunshine on February 25, 2015, 07:13:41 PM

Thanks Sue - Ma is now stable & home thank goodness! 

It's a relief to know they can swim away from the filter as long as they're healthy.  I'll still keep any eye on that filter sponge!

Title: Re: filter casualties :-(
Post by: Fiona on March 02, 2015, 03:26:17 PM

I think one of the sadest fishie things I've ever seen was some male bettas in tiny tanks with large filter inlet and outlet grills and some of the poor creatures plastered against the outlet grill unable to move :(

I hope your mum is feeling better btw

Title: Re: filter casualties :-(
Post by: sunshine on March 02, 2015, 06:36:20 PM

Thanks Fiona!  Ma is stable again now & I even managed to get her up & dressed yesterday  :-)  She loves watching my fish - so I'm even more pleased I decided to get a fish tank. 

Title: Re: filter casualties :-(
Post by: Fiona on March 03, 2015, 10:03:41 AM

Well thats good news indeed! I can sit and watch my fish for ages, its soooo relaxing and interesting too