Fish dying in new tank is something that happens more often than we would like to admit; it is just terrible and pushes a lot of people away from the hobby, forever.
All you wanted was a beautiful aquarium brimming with aquatic life, but why are my tropical fish suddenly dying in the tank you just set up, making you feel frustrated, and, not to mention, guilty.
The first and foremost thing you should learn as an aspiring aquarist is how to keep your aquatic buddies alive.
In this article, we will look at the reasons why fish keep dying in new tank, so that you can safeguard your pets from anything that could kill them.
Read on and save your fish!
Why Are Your Fish Dying In my New Tank?
Aquarium fish are subject to a really dangerous environment – a lot of things could kill them.
In the wild, fish have a relatively stable environment due to the fact that the amount of water is virtually unlimited; moreover, fish can simply move to another place if the conditions aren’t suitable.
However, in a closed system such as your aquarium, your fish are basically at your mercy in terms of water conditions, not to mention the various artificial chemicals present in households that could take their lives.
That’s why it is vital to carefully maintain the water conditions of your tank.
Let’s look at the reasons why fish is dying in aquarium that you recently set up.
You Didn’t Cycle Your Fish Tank
Ever heard of the term ‘new tank syndrome’? You will hear a lot of people complaining online about how it caused the death of their fish.
One of the most common reasons for new aquarium fish dying is because the aquarist did not properly cycle the tank before introducing fish.
Cycling the tank refers to establishing a healthy colony of nitrifying bacteria that convert harmful chemicals like ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrates.
Ammonia is released by your fish, while some are released by the decomposition of organic waste; too much ammonia can kill your fish.
If you think ammonia is the reason why your new tank fish died, change the water immediately.
Nitrate is the end-product of nitrogen cycling. While it is not that toxic to fish, you still have to remove it with periodic water changes to prevent it from accumulating too much.
You Didn’t Maintain Proper Temperature or pH
Your tropical fish are dying maybe because you did not maintain the required temperature.
Tropical fish require a temperature of 78-80° F. Anything colder than 60° F could kill them.
Cold water lowers the immune system of tropical fish, making them susceptible to death via infections.
If the aquarium environment is cold, you may have to use a heater to keep your aquatic pets warm.
Likewise, make sure the water pH is suitable for the type of fish you have.
Fish also despise rapid changes in temperature or pH, which could shock their system and even lead to their deaths. Make sure you slowly acclimate them to your new tank by changing the water conditions gradually rather than abruptly.
Lack of Oxygen
Oxygen is vital for most organisms on earth – your fish can die without it too.
As long as there is enough surface agitation and water circulation, your fish will have the oxygen it needs. If necessary, use a powerhead or air bubbler to improve oxygenation. Aquarium plants help to some extent.
Be careful when using well water to set up your aquarium, as it is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide. Wait for the well water to oxygenate before you introduce your fish to it.
Overstocking and Overfeeding
This is something that could kill your fish faster than ammonia poisoning – many tend to blame ammonia while the culprit is something else.
If you overstock your fish, that is, if you introduce more fish than your tank and filter can handle, and then overfeed them, your tank will soon be a cesspool of organic waste.
This organic waste will be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which can produce organic toxins that are detrimental to your fish.
It may not kill your fish downright, but the presence of such bacteria can overwork their immune system, opening the door for other infections.
Chlorine in the Water
New fish died in tank soon after you introduced them? You could be guilty of using chlorinated water without treating them.
Most municipal water supplies use chlorine to disinfect the water, so if you use tap water, make sure to dechlorinate it.
One thing to watch out for: your water supplier may do something called a chlorine pulse, during which they add more chlorine than usual. You should use a corresponding amount of dechlorinator to neutralize it – it’s always a good idea to do a chlorine test.
Chloramine, chlorine combined with ammonia, is another toxic chemical that could be in the water; deal with it accordingly.
Your Aquarium Has Incompatible Fish
This is another reason why your fish are dying in tank soon after you set it up. A lot of novice aquarists make this mistake: the basic truth is that some types of fish can’t live with others.
First off, different types of fish prefer different conditions, so it may not be possible to cater to the needs of each and every fish if you don’t choose your fish carefully.
Secondly, some species can be aggressive towards others, which can lead to fighting and eventually death. Bettas and Angelfish are notorious examples – you can’t even keep two male betta fish together.
If you are seeing your fish chasing each other and/or signs of damaged tail fins, there could be an aggression problem in your tank.
Harmful Household Chemicals
A lot of chemicals you use in your household have the potential to kill your pet fish. One quick example is soap – yes, soap is toxic to fish even in small quantities. Do not ever use soap to clean your tank.
Also watch out for most aerosol sprays; air fresheners, glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, etc can get into your aquarium, especially if you have an open-top tank.
Scented candles and perfumes, while pleasant to your senses, can harm your fish if you use them in the same room.
Exhaust fumes can also potentially kill your fish, so setting up your aquarium in the garage is not such a bright idea.
Also, avoid the use of metal plumbing fittings in your aquarium as they can leech harmful chemicals into the water.
Some Final Thoughts
Your fish dying in new tank is something you should avoid at all costs – it’ll be a terrible start to your newfound hobby.
Making yourself educated about the things that could kill fish can prevent this unfortunate tragedy. The above list should help you.
However, you should know how to clean a fish tank after a fish dies, should the worst happen.
The first thing you should do is remove the dead fish before it releases ammonia. You may also have to do a water change as the water may already be contaminated.
After you buy the fish from the aquarium store, you essentially take them under your care, so you are responsible for their wellbeing.
Your fish solely depend on you to survive; keeping that in mind, make sure you create a healthy and safe environment for your aquatic pets.
Thanks for reading.
