Why did all of my cardinal tetra die? Help!?

Okay i had the tetra for a week and the fish they were with got ick so i put some stuff in there to get rid of it and it was gone in 3 days. Then, my bottom feeder started acting funny(sleeping upside down by the filter) but he wasnt dead. so the next morning i woke up to find two dead tetras and during the day my bottum feeder dies too. Did they do this because i dont have a tank heater, the ph is not right or the water quality or ick medicine or stress. (Are they stressed from my 3 black mollies and the babies they just had?) I did do some water change though only about a gallon though. my fish are in a 12 gallon tank with three plants-java fern umbrella and something else. Also, there is a piece of drift wood and i just addded a stone ordament for them to swim through.


*****By the way i still have 3 black molly babies! GO ME! LOL.

Why did all of my cardinal tetra die? Help!?
Alreat here we go... YOU NEED A HEATER inless your house is contanstantly 75-82 degrees fahrenheit. Also, mollies grow to be a maximum of 6"! times that by 3, thats 18", you need at least an 18 gallon tank. Mollies need salt 2, and bottom feeders usually can't tolarate that. Maybe there was still some ich left, maybe you put in to much medicane.





*REMEMBER* always quarintine your fish for 2 weeks before adding them to your tank, escessially if theres a pregnant mommy there! Chances are your tetra's brought the ich+ other things. One more thing, make sure there are lots of hiding places for the babies
Reply:Some fish ( i think tetras but with out researching it I am not sure) are more sensitive to the meds than others. algae eater likes warmth
Reply:Keeping tropical fish without a heated tank does tend to become problematic. How long has your tank been running? Maybe it hadn't cycled properly before you added the fish.





How many fish were you keeping in a 12 gallon? It may simply be that the bio-load was too much for a tank that small.





You mention you have spawning black mollies. It's also possible that in a confined space, the mollies are bullying the others in the tank. Mollies are typically peaceful, but they can be nippy under the right conditions and a gravid female and courting male have the right mindset to be aggressors.





What treatment did you use to get rid of ich in the tank? Some medications can cause problems with certain fish (namely scaleless and/or already weakened fish).





What type of stone did you put in the tank? It's possible that the stone your added could have thrown the pH balance off and stressed the fish to the point of no return.











There are too many variables and with no obvious cause of the fish loss. My advice would be to take a sample of your aquarium water to your nearest fish store and have them test it.
Reply:pH : 5.5 - 7, prefer water slightly on the acidic side





Temperature : 73°F - 80°F (23°C - 27°C)





Water Hardness : 2° to 6° dH





Lifespan : 2 - 5 years





Origin / Habitat : South America





Temperament / Behavior : This is a very peaceful tropical fish and best kept in schools of 6 or more.





Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : They can be difficult to breed in the home aquarium. They are egglayers and the adult fish must be removed after dropping the eggs. Provide low lighting and very soft water (1° to 3° dH). Feed the fry brine shrimp.





Tank Size : 10 gallon or larger.





Compatible Tank Mates : Many, given their peaceful nature. Avoid keeping with tropical fish large enough to eat them.





Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease





Diet / Fish Food : Will go after flakes, live and freeze dried foods. Give them a varied diet for best results.





Tank Region : Mostly middle to top.





Gender : The male is usually smaller than a female of the same age.





Similar Species : Characins, Tetras





Gallery Photos : Cardinal Tetra Photos





Fish Lore Forum : Cardinal Tetra Forum








Got this from a web site
Reply:Congratulations on the Molly babes!





I would say for you to get Neon Tetras if you are replacing the fish. I have had Cardinals last a few months, but usually they died in days. I had them in optimal conditions and believe they are just not as hardy as the Neons. What is a little extra red color worth?