Dead Fish

I had the same problem with a couple of smaller juvenile fish. In my case i think it was a problem with acclimation. Perhaps I had my drip running too fast as one died within hours and the other within 2 days. Since i purchased them online i didn't get to see them "eat". Neither fish ate after wards and both were breathng fast which is why I think it was my acclimation...
The last fish I purchased is doing fine. And this time when I acclimated I watched my drip line very closely. He never seem stressed... but i purchased him from a LFS and saw him eat...

Mary

 

Where are you getting them?" and are they really small? I have had success buying online but the fish were "older"..

 

I'm not sure but I've had issues with juvenile fish. Depending on how small i have to acclimate them to a small tank and leave them there for a bit and make sure they are eating and not getting bullied around before I can move them. I've had a 1 or 2 that just had trouble swimming around with my powerheads in my tank since they were so small. I've had pretty good luck with Bluezooaquatics I got alot of my fish there disease free and I now try and pay slightly more for more mature fish and I think I haven't lost a "medium" fish at all. I'd definitely take a look at your acclimation process for online fish since they have been in the dark for like 18hr you need to acclimate them to the light as well.

 

blue zoo is where my fish came from.... both were "tiny" and didn't last 24 hours.

 

Is your water properly oxygenated?

 

I ordered once from Blue Zoo and was very impressed. When you say tested your water, everything looks good?
And although I understand not wanting to spend much on fish when you aren't having success, I'd be leary of buying something that you would rather not have, down the road. JMO.

 

How long has your tank been set up ? I'd like to hear more about your setup to be able to give you more specific advice.

 

another consideration is the history of the tank - was it a used tank, or new? if used, it's possible that it had some meds that are leaching into your water.

 

Do the fish appear to have 'wasted away', almost disintegrating after they die?

 

Is there a skimmer? I still question oxygen levels, myself.

 

Hmmm. Well with a skimmer on there I doubt that it is lack of oxygen too. Are the fishing sticking to the top of the water shortly before expiring?

 

It doesn't make sense that you can keep inverts but not fish. They have always seemed the touchier of the two in my mind. Wish I could help you in some way!!