Not entirely sure what happened but this past Wednesday / Thursday, the 250W heater in my boyfriend's 50gal tank overheated and killed 4 of the 6 fish (3 tiger barbs and the synodontis catfish - details on another thread). Water temps had gotten up to 97, reached 73 this morning but coming back up. Replaced the heater with an old glass one and have left the lights off to help the fish recover but they still won't come out of hiding, a HRP/convict and a salvini. The convict will eat if food is dropped right where she's hiding but doubt the salvini is eating anything. He briefly tried turning on one of the lights earlier today and the convict had a fit.
Any idea about why the fish still won't come out of hiding? We're not sure if it's because the water temp is a bit too cold and they're feeling lethargic, they're still traumatized after everything Thursday and all the changes over the last few days, or if it's just the lack of ditherers to help them feel that everything is safe. Checked the water parameters and everything seems fine (0 ammonia & nitrite, nitrate < 20ppm). Thoughts?
Thanks for everybody's help in dealing with this!
Any idea about why the fish still won't come out of hiding? We're not sure if it's because the water temp is a bit too cold and they're feeling lethargic, they're still traumatized after everything Thursday and all the changes over the last few days, or if it's just the lack of ditherers to help them feel that everything is safe. Checked the water parameters and everything seems fine (0 ammonia & nitrite, nitrate < 20ppm). Thoughts?
Thanks for everybody's help in dealing with this!