I agree with Peter. It sounds like it is related to the new tank they were
put into. I have seen many fish die from the shock of going from a tank that
has higher pH and alkalinity into a tank with lower pH and alkalinity, even
when they were acclimated normally. Going from high to low can really hurt
fish, and it is important to take extra precautions when doing this.
Rainbows are fairly sensitive fishes, so sometimes even more care is needed.
You did not state the manner in which your friend introduced the new fish
into his tank. This information could help.
It would be helpful to know the water parameters of Gilbert's tank where
they originally came from. Also it would help to know the rest of the
details of the water chemistry of your friend's tank, such as ammonia,
nitrite and (most important) nitrate. These might also have been problems
for your friend's fish.
Julie <><
>From: "christian_vanbelle" <christian_vanbelle at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: r_m_l at yahoogroups.com
>To: r_m_l at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [RML] Unknow cause of mortality
>Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 16:58:55 -0000
>
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I was going to have some fishes at Gilbert Maebe's house last
>saturday with some good friends. I bought a school of Melanotaenia
>macculochi Skull Creek (very pretty and small size). A friend of
>mine the same fishes from the same tank. Gilbert's fishes are very
>good and healthy.
>
>My friend ste them in a 120 l tank (conductivity 500 ppm, pH 7.5).
>After two days, one mac has a spot on his head who seems like
>moisture. He died one day after. Today, one fish more died without
>any traces of disease.
>
>I hold mine in common water (800 ppm, Ph more than 7.5). I have no
>stress and they spawn.
>
>Has someone a threat to explain the dead of the fishes in my friends
>tank ?
>
>Cheers
>
>Christian
>
>
>
>
>