Help !

[infyrna]

I bought a new fish today (a blood red parrot) and when I put him in the tank, he just dropped down to the bottom and stayed there. He is currently hiding behind a plant and will not move or swim. Is he scared, shocked, stressed??? He was fine in the petsmart tank. I had petsmart test my water and they said it was all good, that is why I bought the fish. But, I bought some ammonia strips and they said there are mild stress levels of ammonia. Is that enough to be making the fish act like this? It has been cycling about 4 weeks with glo fish. I really would like to know what I can do for him. I turned up the heat in hopes he's just a little chilly... has anyone had a fish do this? Is it the transport that bothered him or what? I'm clueless! help

 

[KenW]

Have you tested the water yourself? do you have a test kit?

 

[taylorodw]

Transporting a fish, and putting him or her into a new tank, is an extremely stressful thing. Many fish will not fully acclimate for weeks, some (like a Piranha) can go for longer.

Is there a lot of cover in your tank?

 

[infyrna]

Yes, I tested the water for ammonia today. It was yellow with a slight tinge of green. So, it may have a small stress as far as that goes. There is no nitrite or nitrate registering. The PH is fine, and the temperature is about 78-80 degrees. I have no air pump at this time- would that help? I can do another water change tomorrow if need be. I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I wake up- the fish will either be swimming around or remain glued to the bottom of the tank. He just looks scared or something.

 

[infyrna]

Thank you all for your quick responses, I appreciate it. I really hope he is just scared from the transport, and hope he'll perk up soon. I have pretty good cover in my tank. 4 plants, and two big logs with plants attached. The petsmart tank he was fine in had no cover what so ever? I really wanted to be a good fish owner, and have decent conditions for the fish I buy. I tried to cycle it, keep the water changed, and do testing, but yet the fish I buy sinks to bottom and looks like he's just seen a shark!

 

[krap101]

Question: Did you float the bag in the tank before releasing him? If not, this is likely the cause, but he should perk up in a bit.

Also is there any plants/hiding places in the tank? It could be like an insecurity feeling.