Why do the fish in my tank keep dying?

I have a 20 gallon freshwater tank for over a year now. The problem is, every time i add new fish they die. Usually, the fish hangs out in the corners of the tank and at the bottom, they don't swim around like they should. I have 1 male swordtail and 1 loach. They are the only fish that have survived for a descent amount of time. I believe that the amonia, nitrate, etc. levels are fine; however, I dont have a kit but I only have 2 fish and I keep up on partial water changes. The pH level is alkaline but it should be in range for the swordtails I do add and from what I understand, they are hardy fish. In addition, the plants that I have in my tank are surviving but their not really taking off like they should be. Is it possible that the pH is causing the problem? If it is how can I fix this? And other than pH, what else could be causing new fish to die in my tank and what can I do to keep these fish alive in the future? Any help would be much appreciated.Why do the fish in my tank keep dying?
You say you do water changes, but do you do them every week like you are supposed to? Partial (25-30%) water changes, weekly, are the best thing you can do to keep your tank water healthy and your fish happy. Your two fish that are surviving may only be hanging on by a thread if you aren't doing regular partial water changes.



You really should get an ammonia test kit. You can pick up a cheap one for about $3-4. Get the liquid (it is the cheapest) and IMHO the best way to check ammonia. The test strips get real expensive. However, if you are doing weekly partial water changes, there shouldn't be an ammonia problem.



The main reason for new fish dying is the difference in the pH of the water from the store and your water at home. A difference of only .5 on the pH scale can put a new fish in pH shock. Sometimes they will make it, but most times they die.



You should ask the fish store to test a sample of your water and a sample of their water so you can see how far off it is. I have taken as long as 4 hours to acclimate a new fish because of the differences in pH between the bag and my tank water.



Email me if you have more questions, I will be glad to help.Why do the fish in my tank keep dying?
Are you floating the fish before adding them to the tank? Leave them in their bags of water from the pet store and float them in the tank. After 2 hours, add a bit of tank water to their bags. Add more an hour later, etc. Then dump the fish in.



Make sure the water isn't too cold or too warm.
Have you done a water change lately?

does any of your fish have diseases? ( ick, bactieral problems, ect.)

good luck!
do you have a filter?
Dude,

This is a very vague question.

A lot of factors come onto play.

Do they have adequate cover?

Are they in extreme light?

Are they in an area where they are easily disturbed?

I could go on %26amp; on.

Start with a hardy breed, goldfish, koi, etc.

Move on from there.
you are going to have to get the water tested to start. Another question for you, are you buying these fish that keep passing away from the same store? Unfortunately places like Walmart are noted for their fish not to be survivors. I would suggest another store for starters.



PH does play an important roll on your fish, however even if your ph is a little higher or lower than the stores isn't going to kill them off right away. When you acclimate your fish to their new home they need to be done a certain way. Float your bag for appx. 15 minutes. Allow the water temps to become the same. Open the bag and add 1/4-1/2 cup of your tank water to the bag and let them sit another 10-15 minutes. Add another 1/4-1/2 cup of your water and sit again. One more time then you can release your fish. This will allow your fish to acclimate slowly from the stores water to yours. Remember only one or two fish at a time no new ones for a week or more. That way your biofilter will not get over loaded. PH can inhibit your plants growth, however that is only part of the entire problem



Weekly water changes are a must for problem tanks, however if you don't know what the water quality is you are basically taking a shot in the dark.



You are running an undergravel filter. Is this Only? No top filter? I have never been a fan of running strickly undergravel filters on a tank. This does not allow for proper dissolved oxygen to enter the tank (like a rear filter would do) This could be another problem. Your tank is not filtering out any chemicals or food particles, even if you are using a gravel siphone to clean the bottom, the nitrates can build to toxic levels. Especially if you are only running air hoses to the UG Filter.



I would start with getting your water tested (and the tap water you are using to fill your tank, that way you have something to use as a base) to see exactly what you are working with. Keep up your weekly cleaning. Siphone the gravel and clean the tank. Remember to use your dechlor/water conditioner to the water prior to adding it to your tank.



If you don't have a rear filter, get one. A whisper 20 is fairly inexpensive at walmart. (around 19.99).



Be sure your heater and temperature setting is correct.



Remember it is more important to have a stable PH than to have one that jumps all over the place.



Do you have bogwoods or peats (from your plants) in the tank? I realize there is a lot to think about here and trying to narrow it down is difficult.



Feel free to email me or repost with your water results and we can all help from there.