I JUST KILLED ALL MY FISH IN MY 55

[EAST_TX_RN]

I am sitting here and just finished crying my heart out like a baby! I was cleaning out my 55 gal. tank and trying to catch some yellow lab fry for my housekeeper when she and a friend came over. Between the visitors, my dogs,etc., I completely forgot to add the chemicals to remove the chlorine from the water when I went to refill from the sink! What an idiot blonde! I walked by just a few minutes ago and saw my fish upside down! I have had some of these fish for years! I just slaughtered them all except for my old common pleco! Poor George had to get them all out for me, I was so upset! I guess ya will think I am a total puss for getting upset, but I loved those dang fish! Thank God I didn't clean the 50 gal. tank tonight! Just wanted to let ya know how stupid I really am.

[bra8ndy8]

I have done the same thing....but I didn't loose them all......they started doing belly rolls....and I added it....loosing a lot of them! I am sooo sorry!

[kewlkatdady]

Not stupid by any means...just a simple mistake.

We all make them... and I am VERY sorry to hear about your fishies.

[rolloffhill]

Wow that sucks, sorry to hear that..:sorrysign:

[EAST_TX_RN]

It is nice to know someone else has done the same thing. I am still so upset, so I really appreciate your support. I hope they didn't suffer a long time.

[Haiven]

We had a thread about this very thing on the old fishbox. You'd be surprised how many folks have done the same thing. It's so easy to get distracted and forget to add the chemicals.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I would cry, too. I love my fiddies!

[tsunderl]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It's a learning experience and an error you won't forget. We've all made mistakes and learned from them. I can understand you being upset as I would be too if I lost my fish. http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/icon_cry.gif

[EAST_TX_RN]

Well, I have been suffering from depression lately, so I am really taking it hard. It really relieves my mind that there are others that have done the same thing. I am glad I am not the only female who has cried over the loss of their fish. I was really giving myself a 'blonde bashing' over it, so thanks ya!

[Jim2982]

Forget about being the only female who's cried over losing fish. If I did that to my Africans I'd bawl my eyes out for the rest of the day and then cry myself to sleep and cry myself to work tomorrow morning. Don't beat yourself up over it. Accidents happen, and the others are right, it's easy to get distracted. So, don't be so hard on yourself. This will make you a better fishkeeper in the future. :)

[lellison]

so sorry to hear about that! Don't be too hard on yourself, it is one of those mistakes that just happens. And no you aren't dumb for crying over lost fish, I have done it when I lost them as well.

[bra8ndy8]

I think all of us would cry over our fish....or we wouldn't be on a fish forum talking about them all the time! Does anyone have any babies to start filling up TX RN's tank???

[Jim2982]

I just got some yellow lab fry from Haiven. She can have a couple of those when they get bigger. I also have some fry from my female hap that she can have a couple of when they grow out, too.

[bra8ndy8]

I have some mutts from Chris....LOL.....but it would be more trouble to get them out!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks everybody for your much-needed support and offer of fish. I have plenty of yellow labs in my other tank,plus another type I cannot even think of right now, but I think I will get those Icebergs I have been wanting, if anybody knows of any around. I could also use some BN's. I got that tank so pretty, and it just makes me sick it is empty now except for my old common pleco. He must be one tough fish!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Now that I see my sig I see the other fish are Kenyi.

[Jim2982]

Well if you want Icebergs I think my female hap's fry are Icebergs. Here's a pic of the male I think she bred with:

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/Jim2982/Africans%20as%20juveniles/DSCN1117.jpg

Let me know if you want a couple.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Jim, you are so kind and I would be glad to take you up on your offer. Those fish are beautiful. Maybe I could get my husband to pick them up when they are ready. Anyone with some extra BN's?

[bra8ndy8]

THose are beautiful Jim....and Common's I think can live out of water!!
My 55 was low and green and mistreated....and Jaws thrived in there forever!!

[Trippy]

sorry to hear that . I did the same thing with my 14 goldfish which i had for 2 yrs . Moved to chillids and now they're up for sale .What a hobby !
you'll bounce ...

[xtc]

Sorry to hear that- what a bummer. My wife has done the same. Look at it as an opportunity to do something new. Total bummer though.

[AndrewH]

I definitely feel for you East TX RN!!!

I've done the same thing. Luckily I saw the dechlor bottle sitting on the kitchen counter, or I'd be in the same situation as you. A couple of hours had gone by, so I did lose 2 fish, but it gave me a chance to explain to the girls about how the water chemistry can keep the fish healthy or kill them (of course I did use those exact words with a 2 and 4 year old :D). I think they're finally beginning to understand life and death, and not to put things into the fish tank :eek:.

Definitely don't be too hard on yourself as we've all made mistakes, and let us know if there is anything we can do.

[Jim2982]

East TX RN, you'll be the first to know when those fry are over an inch long. She just spit them out last week, so it'll probably be a while, but I'll pm you when they're ready, for sure.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks so much, I am feeling much better today, and a lot of it is due to my buds here on this forum. Jim, I appreciate your very kind offer, so just PM me when they are ready.
My housekeeper killed most of the labs I caught for her. She did not put them in a heated tank soon enough, and all but two died. That upset me too. I did explain to her their parameters, but she thought they would be okay like her goldfish. My pleco made it through the night. I half-expected him to be dead this morning. I think those plecos could live through anything!

[Jim2982]

Hey, well that's good that the pleco's still there! At least you'll have it to keep your tank clean until you get it restocked, lol. ;)

[tsunderl]

I've concluded pleco's are roaches of the fish world. They survive anything!

[Goathead]

sorry to hear that, i have a couple little Neolamp tetracanthus that i would be happy to donate to the cause. ill have to wait a couple weeks for them to get a little bigger. (so i can catch them)

[kewlkatdady]

I have some fish that will be pulled from my 125 soon. I have to feel like breaking it down and "fishing" those fast little f'ers out.

When I do, I'll let ya know.

[bra8ndy8]

Way to pull it together everyone!! SOOO sweet of everyone!!

[EAST_TX_RN]

That is what is so great about this community! Thanks to Brandy for suggesting it and all who have given me a shoulder to cry on and offers of fish. It has helped me so much that there are people I can go to about my fish problems. Txfront, would the Neolamps be a good community fish in a little 55 gal. tank? Jerod, you are so sweet too! I am thinking I want my main fish to be the Iceberg haps, so whatever will work with them and some BN's that Blake is so willing to part with. If anyone else has some Icebergs or BN's to offer, I would sure snap them up! Thanks again and hugs to all!

[Goathead]

they would be fine as long as they dont pair up.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Then I would gladly take them. Maybe at the next G2G, everyone can bring the fishes for me, since I live out in east BFE? If not that G2G, the next? I could bring a bucket of water. Would that work?

[Goathead]

i will do my best, but they are about half an inch, and have a 210 gallon tank full of holey rock to hide in. They are yours, but it may take some time to pull them. I do have some tropeus Nkonde babies, and i would be happy to throw one or two your way. They are about half an inch and should hit the inch mark in a couple of weeks.

[bra8ndy8]

WOW gary!! SOOOO NICE!!

[Goathead]

Naaa, my priest told my i had to give some fish away to help pay for my weekend in Vegas.:Smoker::leghump::cheers:

[biggin]

Gotta love religion....

[xtc]

I have Kribs and duckweed. :hehe:

[tsunderl]

I have Kribs and duckweed. :hehe:

Ya might wanna see a doctor about that, Chris. http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/doc.gif

Not sure my mollies would mix with what you're getting, but if there's anything else, just let me know. Hopefully, I'll have some plant clippings in a few weeks.

[EAST_TX_RN]

I swear, you all have lifted my spirits with your generosity! I have been depressed for a month or more(yes, I am taking my meds!),worse than I have been in years. I really don't have anything to be depressed about(other than the asshole I work for), but it just hit me hard, but my friends here have been so sympathetic and generous, that I am feeling much better now. I love all of ya!

[Haiven]

Sharon, you wrote, "I love all of ya!." I'm sorry to tell you that you have incorrectly pluralized y'all.

If you are a true east Texan you should know that the correct phrase should have been, "I love all y'all!"

[fatfutures]

Sharon...maybe we should talk. I am SERIOUSLY considering breaking down my african tank. I've had nothing but bad luck with this tank. No one ELSE dies but, I lose a fish every thirty days or so. When I was away for T-day, the big pleco DIED??? WTF? Then two days ago lost another. Now, my Red EMpress is kicking eveyone's ass!

Anyhoo... if you want some nice sized, healthy (when they're not dropping dead for no reason) fishies, I'll hook you up.

[biggin]

Chris killed your fish?????

maybe he just blamed Megan....

Sharon...maybe we should talk. I am SERIOUSLY considering breaking down my african tank. I've had nothing but bad luck with this tank. No one ELSE dies but, I lose a fish every thirty days or so. When I was away for T-day, the big pleco DIED??? WTF? Then two days ago lost another. Now, my Red EMpress is kicking eveyone's ass!

Anyhoo... if you want some nice sized, healthy (when they're not dropping dead for no reason) fishies, I'll hook you up.

[fatfutures]

LOL... wondered if anyone would catch that. Nah, he didn't kill it. The damn thing just DIED... I mean, we're talking a common pleco here, indestructo fish!

I don't lose fish in my other tanks.... just this one. I think it's got bad juju

[biggin]

of course we would catch that....

To bad he is old and is already in bed....

LOL... wondered if anyone would catch that. Nah, he didn't kill it. The damn thing just DIED... I mean, we're talking a common pleco here, indestructo fish!

I don't lose fish in my other tanks.... just this one. I think it's got bad juju

[fatfutures]

Uhhhh.... I think I'm older! so... sh'up!

I haven't even said anything to Chris about it. Although I did toy with the idea of giving HIM the Fish Killer title! hehehe

[biggin]

Yeah but you stay up past sunset....

You need to tell his wife that is who needs to find out.

Uhhhh.... I think I'm older! so... sh'up!

I haven't even said anything to Chris about it. Although I did toy with the idea of giving HIM the Fish Killer title! hehehe

[bra8ndy8]

hey I can give a nice big home to any unwanted africans!!!! and u can have all the plants I freakin kill!!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Y'all make me laugh! Laughing is good! Haiven, I am terrible at saying 'ya', instead of y'all(or better , but mispelled, ya'll). That is so generous of you! Maybe I can un-jinx them? What kind are they?

[fatfutures]

Well, there are two that I'm not sure of

one big Red Empress
one red zebra
one OB
one jewel
two neo lamp - breeding pair that would most likely breed again in a "Friendlier" tank. Freakin bunny fish!

The two unknowns... one is an electric blue of some sort and the other, well... I just don't know. Need to post pictures.

Brandy, you can have some too iffen you want.

And Blake, I'll be sure to tell Megan the next time they are over! THAT I was planning on... hehehe!

[bra8ndy8]

haiven is a funny lady!!! meet her in person if u want some good laughs!

[fatfutures]

Ooops, I forgot the lil female red fin borleyi. I kinda think she is the reason for the Red Empress is being such a putz. He's got the hots for her.

[bra8ndy8]

lol I have two males and only one female!!! and two male red empress and like five females! let sharon take what she wants and I'd love to take the homeless!!!

[biggin]

I will take 'em if no one else does....

two neo lamp

[EAST_TX_RN]

Someone is supposed to be giving me a few Neolamp fry, so go ahead and give Blake the Neolamps. Brandy, which ones did you want? I'll take whatever y'all don't want. What is an OB, Michelle? I think it is near time for you and hubby to come out hog-hunting and bring me some fish! My son's pit-rott is showing great promise as a hog-dog.

[Haiven]

I have a 30 pound Shih Tzu that I'm pretty sure would be considered a hog-dog, or at least a walking sausage.

[kewlkatdady]

what kind of neo lamps?

[fatfutures]

ooops.... Brichardi

[bra8ndy8]

I don't care Sharon.....whatever is left! You have 1st pic.

[biggin]

I knew what they were....

How much are you looking for them?

ooops.... Brichardi

what kind of neo lamps?

[EAST_TX_RN]

I could come by when I am doing visits in Garland or North Dallas, so just let me know a couple of days in advance Michelle, and I can come by and play with the Danes and get the fish. I would finish my home visits and make your house my last stop.

[kewlkatdady]

i didn't...

I knew what they were....


Are they daf brichardi or regular?

[fatfutures]

They are regular.... really pretty lil fish and SUPER easy to breed!

Sharon just let me know when you'll be in town and we'll work something out. BTW, I DID get your email. What else are you going to put in this tank? If you're gonna be getting juvies...well, you defintely don't want the jewel. He's a killer, literally.

Blake all I want is for them to go to a good home.

Hey Brandy? You have male red fins? You want this female? I think she's ready to do her "thing" cuz all the boys in the tank are acting like IDIOTS!

[fatfutures]

I have a 30 pound Shih Tzu


Uhhhh... HOLY CRAP! What are you feeding that beast?

[xtc]

:wha: WHAT?! A fish died on my watch?! All I did was fed them...not much, they all ate and seemed happy. What the hell?...

[fatfutures]

It wasn't you Chris... I swear that this tank is jinxed! I've had problems with it all along. You've seen my tanks... their clean right? I've filtration out the wazoo, right?

But, fish keep dying in this tank. Not all at once but, one at a time, every 4-5 weeks it seems. I lost my sunshine, lost the eureka, lost the pleco all in the space of ohhh 6 weeks!

So, I'm gonna tear this puppy down and sell it! I'll put a black flag or something on my CL listing so you guys will know to stay away from the death tank.

[biggin]

Blake all I want is for them to go to a good home.


I have a 180g that is beggin for a couple. (Actually after this weekend it will be begging but that is where I will put them.)

[xtc]

I feel bad... :confuzeld::headscratch:

[fatfutures]

Don't! You didn't do anything other than FEED them. And, to be perfectly honest, I couldn't swear he was alive when we left!

Blake they are yours!

[EAST_TX_RN]

I am going to stock it with some iceberg hap fry, a couple of neolamp fry,some baby BN's, and I forgot what else. Definitely don't want the jewel! Will check my schedule but when are you planning on tearing it down? I suck at catching fish,btw. Maybe you can show me your method. I will bring a bucket too! Thanks so much!

[kewlkatdady]

you may have a case of bloat...
I experience the same thing that you are and I treated it twice with metronidazole and I haven't lost another fish since. This has been 3-4 months ago. Before you give up on this tank...I'd try this.

[fatfutures]

Treat with metro, eh? Is bloat caused by some sort of bacteria or internal parasite?

[biggin]

Sweet.... thank you.

[kewlkatdady]

I think its a parasite...but I'm not sure.

My fish were eating, and showed no phyiscal sign of bloat. But all of the sudden one would stop eating for a couple of days and die. This happened to about 4 fish before Fishman760?? suggested metro. I picked some up, follow the instructions and I've not had a fish die since.

[fatfutures]

I'm still going to tear down this tank. But, I don't want to send out sick fishies to my fishbox buddies.

I'll do africans again at a later date! I do love em.

So... who wants the jewel. I say he's a killer but, only when you add fish to HIS tank. When I put him in this tank he hid for 3 weeks. Brandy, do you want him? And, what about the red fin girlie?

WOW! That means I'm gonna have 5 clown loaches in the Discus tank. Got to get cracking on getting the new one built.

[fatfutures]

Oh , yeah... this big red empress will need a home too. I don't think that putting him with Sharon's juvies would be such a good idea. He's a biggun!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Just let me know when it is safe to get some! I think you have my hughes email addy. I bet Jerod is right about the bloat.

[bra8ndy8]

is the metro the stuff that smells like vicks? ill take the red empress and the red fin.....I'm not really interested in the jewel though.

[fatfutures]

Sharon, they'll be getting their first dose of metro today the second 48 hours later... they'll be ready to go next week.

Sharon, this is what I've got for you:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/1360515362_1a20060b19.jpg

This is the OB
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/1485444346_d1695b809e.jpg



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/1484586177_9e9bab178d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/1935246004_0a292059fc.jpg

[fatfutures]

Hey Brandy... how soon can you take these guys? I think the empress needs to get laid! He's got everyone cornered in one side of the tank. He just now went after somone and put a gash in his own head!

WTH... I've got some seriously horny and hormonal fish in this tank. The Jewel has turned almost completely red! He and the zebra were just duking it out. And it SEEMS as though the brichardi have laid eggs and the empress is guarding their territory. I know that's probably not the case but, that's sure what it looks like!

Freaky fish!

[greeneyed]

How do you take those pictures?
You always take beautiful pictures!!!

[fatfutures]

You should see how many I delete! LOL! At least 50 crappy pics for one good one. Sometimes, I just CAN'T get a good shot. Just lucky that I like taking pictures, I suppose. The odds are in my favor.

[fatfutures]

OH!!!!


Thank you!

[kewlkatdady]

Here is a pic of the metro...
Its white powder...
It doesn't smell like anything

Seachem Metronidazole

[tsunderl]

Yep. Good stuff.

[bra8ndy8]

This weekend will work for me.....unless you are at home during the day?

[fatfutures]

I am home most of the day... I think this Saturday we are going to the deer lease and, I'm supposed to be hooking up with Kathy on Sunday. Plan on dosing these guys again on Friday... just to be sure I'm not sending anyone off with cooties.

So you wanna go for Mon or Tues?

Oh! Will you have your daughters? If so, Joey will be a puddle of happiness! He ADORES little kids! Ike's just a slut, he loves everyone!

[rolloffhill]

Here is a pic of the metro...
Its white powder...
It doesn't smell like anything

Seachem Metronidazole


I think brandy is thinking of melafix or pemafix...

[EAST_TX_RN]

Michelle, I would love to take all but the last one. They are beautiful! I have enough orange ones in my 50(yellow labs and Kenyii). What are the names of the fish besides the OB? Do any of those have mates? Just let me know a day next week and I will set my schedule up so I can be close to your area. Wow! I am going to have something in my tank soon! Thanks!

[bra8ndy8]

monday will be great! and yes ill have the brats!! I would bring duke....but his pelvic is bad and he doesn't get around very well!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Okay, I am hoping to get the fish y'all so kindly offered this week or weekend. Are any ready besides Michelle's? I hate looking at my 55 and cannot wait to get more fishies. Any other offers? I would like to have a mixed group in there. Thanks so much to those who have offered some fish!

[Goathead]

you can come pick up the Tropheus babies, but if they are going in with anything larger than 1.5 inches i would wait. They are still only around half an inch. I will see what i can do about catching the Tetracanthus, but same thing, they are only about half an inch.

[fatfutures]

Ok...so here's the deal. I dont' want to send out any of these fish yet. Sorry Sharon but, we've got some sort of bacteria/fungus/nastiness issue. I'm treating the tank but, won't let them go until everyone's healthy. Unless you've got a quarantine tank.

I treated the tank with Metro but, now I'm seeing visible signs of sickness...so, it's back to the drawing board.

Again, I'm sorry for the delay Sharon. If you wanna get they other fish that have been offered to you, you might wanna go ahead and get them. It seems like the fish that others are offering are pretty small and I don't think you'd want to put any of my guys in with them.... Odds are good they'd become snacks.

Just let me know what you want to do. I am no rush on my end, I just want to be sure the fish are healthy before any one puts them in a tank with other fishies! If I've got something that someone wants and has a hosp or quar tank they are welcome to take them.

[tsunderl]

Michelle, here's the combo I used when I had something going through my tank...

The meds I used are all Seachem products and are NeoPlex, Focus, Metronidazole, and KanaPlex. I got them from a store on the service road for 75 just before 15th and next to a Jeep repair shop. Can't remember the name of the store (FORGIVE ME!!!), but you have to ask for it as they keep it behind the counter. Cost for all was around $25 and medicated my 135g tank.

I swear by the combo as I haven't had any problems with illness since treating the tank.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks Michelle,Blake, and Txfront. I do not have a quarantine tank so I will wait until they are ready. Plus, I will be getting small ones from Blake and Txfront, and I don't want them eaten! Sorry your fishies are still sick. Txfront, is there anyway I could meet you at Blakes or vice versa? I will bring a bucket with tank water in it. Just let me know what works for y'all! :clap::clap::clap:

[Goathead]

My son will be home with me all week, just shoot me a pm when you are ready to come out, and i will give you my address.

[fatfutures]

Thanks T! I know the place... can't remember the name either. I've already tried dosing them with metro but, that didn't seem to have helped. I'll head up there tomorrow!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Okay, now I have a problem. I went to pull out the zucchini from my 55 that I put in there last night on a fork for my single pleco. There were tiny little 'bugs' on it. I say bugs because they are smaller then a pin-head, and swim around. I put the squash with the bugs in a small container with tank water, and just looked at them underneath a magnifying glass, and I still cannot see them good enough,except to know they are bug-shaped and now dying. I figure the chemicals got messed up from the massacre and possibly missing some fry when George scooped the murdered ones out. This allowed some parasite to grow. On a good note, I found one tiny yellow lab fry while I was at it! It is free of any 'bugs'. Does anyone have any idea what these 'bugs' could be and how to kill them out? I don't dare put any more fish in the tank until I have them dead.

[poel_19]

what do they look like??

[EAST_TX_RN]

Like tiny water-bugs as far as I can tell. Just little roundish things swimming around. Two would fit on a pin-head.

[poel_19]

daphnia??

[kewlkatdady]

I'd drain the tank completely and remove all the gravel and let it sit completely empty and dry for at least a week.

This should kill anything in the tank.

clean it all, replace filter media with new and start from scratch.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Will it be safe to transfer my pleco and yellow lab fry to my other tank, ya think? I think that is the best idea. Thanks Jerod! Will look up daphnia, Joel.

[Goathead]

I pulled the Tetracanthus out of my big tank, and have them ready when ever you are.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks! Are you going to be home this weekend? I will send you a PM with my number.