I lied :(

[ChocolateJunky]

So we got ds an aquarium and 6 fish for his birthday last week. Only 2 are still alive. We just keep telling him they're sleeping and scoop them out when he's not looking. :(

I just don't understand why they keep dying left and right. We originally put 3 guppies and 3 mollies in the tank, and now we're down to just 1 molly and 1 guppie. What a disastrous present. I feel like crap.

[mrssummerlin]

One of the fish could have easily been sick and got the others sick as well. Happens a lot.

[CCMami]

It happened to us too.  We told her that they died so they're going to heaven.  Our problem was the water and some were sick, etc.  Mollies and guppies arent that great anyway.  We just kept buying new ones.  You have to keep the ph balance right and have the right food.  Good luck

[beachbabies6]

are you decorinating your water ?

[puasaurusrex]

Could have been sick. With that many dead, I'd definitely clean out the tank completely and start over. If you were close to me, I'd give you some mollies. We currently have 9 babies that I would like to give to good homes before her next batch arrive.

[TexasWife]

Water temp. ph levels. Seriously there is a ton of things.

[kidlover2]

Why are you telling him the fish are sleeping? That's a little messed up. Any ways.... there are a lot of reasons your fish could be dying. Many good fish stores will test your water for you if you take them a sample and give you pointers.

[ChocolateJunky]

What's that? I've never owned fish before. I did everything the associates told me to do. Let the water run for a week before introducing the fish, set up a pump and filter, and I think I added water desensitizer or something. I've had a long day, so I'm not thinking clearly but I'm pretty sure that's what it was.

Quoting beachbabies6:

are you decorinating your water ?

[michiganmom5150]

Did you get the water prepared before you put the fish in? Did you float the bags to get them the same temp? If you put then directly into tap water, that could kill them. There are drops you have to put in. I had issues with my tank after 2 years and found a guy at the local pet smart who is very knowledgable. I'd seek out someone who knows and can help!

[ChocolateJunky]

Because he's 3, and I didn't want to upset him that the gift I got him was a total failure. We haven't dealt with death before, so I'm not sure how to explain it to him.

Quoting kidlover2:

Why are you telling him the fish are sleeping? That's a little messed up. Any ways.... there are a lot of reasons your fish could be dying. Many good fish stores will test your water for you if you take them a sample and give you pointers.

[mom2hadley]

Where did you get the fish?