Prevent NEW FISH DIE OFF [Watch this Before Adding Fish] My Top 5 Deadly Mistakes when Adding Fish!

[@zaidadams7181]

Ben ochart ,andy woods cichlid and Off the deep end aquatics are the most underrated youtubers with some of the best content

[@BenOchart]

I’m an Andy Woods fan😀👍🏻

[@peaceriveraquatics4308]

Great opening. Loving the new tank.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@cichlid_kings]

The biggest enlightening tip for me was to observe. Picked that up from some of the older videos as well. Had to remove some overly aggressive peacocks in display tank and remove some females in growout tank. Due to good observation, rehoming a few fish was a better outcome than looseing fish to an aggressive fight.

[@frequencydependent1826]

Yes!! We need to remember the basics of fish husbandry. It’s so important to have cultured a significant bacterial colony to support an ecosystem with fish

[@StephanieSalazar-ge9tu]

Beautiful fish

[@brianp6180]

All good points Ben. I wish I had your tube channel 29 years ago when I set up my 1st tank. I did everything wrong and had to learn by trial and error. I tried asking questions at Petsmart but the workers gave me bad advice. Set the tank up, use dechlorinater, and they sold me a product called “cycle”. Wait 24 hours, and add fish. It was a 55 gallon tank. I went the next day and bought 55 fish. The old 1 per gallon. Needless to say the next day the population dropped a bunch. I still after all these years learn by watching people like you. Keep the videos coming!

[@BenOchart]

Me too, always learning all the time. Some lessons are easy and some real hard. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jamesgreen9372]

Well said. I agree with the poll. Fish keepers, particularly new ones, must be patient. The time on cycling a tank and quarantine is well spent and can be concurrent ! Thanks again, Jim

[@jeffhester1443]

Great for all as well as beginners. You touched on a lesson I learned, get your fish out of the bag and into the tank as soon as possible. They will adapt to good water quality quickly, but the water in that bag could be killing them. Plop and drop, any sign of stress in breathing, color wash or any I won't even float them. Get them out. Thanks for another great video !!!

[@99Canecas]

Nice to see you back Senhor Ben. Always learning from you.

[@jonstfrancis]

Really good points Ben! Always good idea to add fish in slowly. Always make sure the tank is ready. Ammonia I'd add is doubly dangerous; ammonia burn on gills causes the fish equivalents of pneumonia and copd, they may never fully recover and can be weakened for life by that. I'd add that a good water change before / after adding new fish maybe a good idea incase of these problems. Good to see you are looking well.

[@BenOchart]

Good points, thank you

[@mraquaticnews5676]

If tank is cycled there may not be necessary. Uncycled tank yes

[@applescratchcandy]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom (:

[@BenOchart]

You’re welcome 😀👍🏻

[@arieskiller1402]

First like n view

[@DirtNassty]

Excellent video Ben! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome tips and information with noobs to the hobby like myself! We greatly appreciate you! 😀

[@danielbarrett6026]

I currently have a 20 long hospital tank with a divider for two 6” blue cobalt mbuna. One on each side. There are two other blue cobalts in the show tank that tag teamed and beat on these fish. Everyone was happy as a clam for months then this week all hell broke loose. I have a 20 long with yellow lab fry. Pretty soon I may need a fourth tank for other issues that pop up. Life of an African cichlid keeper.

[@BenOchart]

Good thing you were prepared. Fry change everything😀

[@joshhopper6109]

Tank is looking good. Also good points on preventing die off. All that eureka red needed was some fish above him in the pecking order to keep him in check. Cant wait to see that trout size/color up. Yours is a bit ahead of mine. When you get your additional fish to add I'd like to see a video of the moment you add them and how you go about observations and babysitting. If your feeling good/bold enough maybe try on a live stream. I usually feed heavy for a couple days to get bellies full and get the beneficial bacteria a little extra load in preparation for the added fish. Right before I add them I usually feed a treat food like brine shrimp or tad poles out of the pond if they are available, and sometimes rearrange some décor to confuse them. Then I add the fish with a net at the ready to deal with major aggression. Then kick back and watch them and a movie grab some pop corn dim the lights down a bit. Usually the first night I leave the lights on all night with the really dim blue light so its not pitch black. I usually feed light but treat type foods for the first couple days afterwards to give the beneficial bacteria a chance to catch up or as aquarium coop says "seasoned".

[@markbaumgardt2868]

I have a well stocked 75 do a 15 gallon water change every second day and have only 5 parts of nitrate and I feed twice a day

[@pkoppart]

So informative and helpful as usual. Thank you, Ben.

[@TJ-ht3jb]

Glad to 👀 you looking good and back on your feet again.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you.

[@desertfish7750]

Ben is a true hobbiest's first youtuber second, lets get him past 60k in subscribers before the end of the year.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@windowlicker532]

Awesome tips Ben.....getting new fish is kinda a roll of the dice...you can do everything right and it still goes wrong...but following good tips definitely helps👍

[@zepava5834]

Love from India🇮🇳

[@richardslomkowski1689]

Glad you're feeling better Ben have a great weekend

[@BenOchart]

Thank you.

[@migueleespinosa2632]

Tank is looking great. Man the fish love the current.

[@anthonymonclova1934]

Thanks Ben

[@unlovabl]

its like you can sense what I need a video of! Perfect, my newly started 6 gallon tank is on its 4th week and showing ammo,nitrite & nitrate. has been climbing since the second week I'm trying very hard to get everything before the fish(just a betta) is shipped next week.. been in the hobby for 10+ years the return is almost overwhelming in research. Great video so helpful!

[@leo2o915]

Looks amazing Ben that Vinnie is a stud for sure

[@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics]

I been tuning in for awhile now and appreciate how direct you are. You’ve help me a lot with my mbunuas and now I’ll upgrading from a 55 to 90 slowly. Once I fill the 90, I’ll move over sump on 55 (with all established bio) to help start establishing the new bio column, then the substrate with water changes from 55 dumping into the 55, during nitrogen cycle.

[@BenOchart]

Bringing over the entire sump should provide you with an instantly cycled tank. If you're over-cautious like me you can also add a bacteria booster like FritzZyme7 and condition the water for a few days after adding fish. But with a sump coming over I predict that you're going to be fine. Just be sure to condition any water that you add to the new larger tank to avoid killing off any precious BB. I spoke with a Rep from Fritz and he told me that one of the biggest mistakes people make is adding their product to water that hasn't been conditioned and it kills the BB. Then they think that the Fritz product didn't work. Good luck with the upgrade. it's always a lot of fun.

[@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics]

@@BenOchart I’m on well water and using Seachem stability to help along with API stress coat/zyme once I start adding fish.

[@rashaile4605]

I ordered a Zebrina Pike during the process of drip acclimating it freaked out and jumped out onto the floor. I honestly don’t know how long it was on the floor before I discovered it. When I put it into the quarantine tank I observed that it just didn’t seem happy and comfortable in that tank. After 1-2 days I decided that the Zebrina Pike was just to important to me, and I added it to my predator tank to see if having tank mates made a difference. Well it worked really well. The fish fought off a Red Pike and others, and began eating and interacting. A few weeks later I ordered another Zebrina Pike. This time I added it straight to the predator tank expecting it to do the same thing. Well in this case it went the exact opposite. This fish hid all the time, never fought for status in pecking order, within a week it was dead. I was so disappointed, that was an expensive lesson. Not all fish are the same, and I should have changed course after one day of the fish not adapting well. I should have let it at least settle in from the shipping and transport.

[@sarge6870]

Many channels recommend quarantine for new fish BUT it must be understood, new fish keepers only have one tank. I truly feel the number one cause of premature, new fish death is the stress they undergo in the transport from the fish store to home. If your tank is 78 -80 F and the outside temp is well below or above that, the trickle method over the 15-20 minute pre-add time does help. Non-cycled tank especially with high ammonia can be detoxified before adding new fish. Everyone has their own approach and what works for some, may not work for all. Fish keeping is ALWAYS a learning adventure!!

[@BenOchart]

True

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

I don’t remember ever seeing those fish that big did you buy them that big or did I miss the grow out. That’s a beautiful tank. Love it

[@BenOchart]

Hi James, They were in the 55. Perhaps the camera angle is making them look bigger?

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

Hello Ben, The 210 g looks great. That wave maker keep the fishes moving against the current. Very active and seem less agressive. Like 😀👍🏻

[@BenOchart]

Thank you. Yes, 3500gph is giving them a work out 🤣 I turn it off for 10 minutes during feeding and it goes to 30% when the lights go off so they can catch their breath 😀👍🏻

[@RobAbdul]

Glad to see you're feeling better Ben. Great advice. :-)

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Very good list. I would add turning off the lights when you add new fish to an aquarium. While fish are acclimating to their new environment and water conditions they are particularly vulnerable to attacks from the tank bosses. I let the new additions adjust in the dark to minimize any attacks

[@BenOchart]

Yes, that and a rearrangement of decor can give the new fish a better shot.

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 hey Ben. Tank looks great. You look like feeling better. Topic reminded me of something that could maybe be on that list. The story would take a bit (I’ll tell you if you want) but how about what fish are compatible with each other… “ooo that orange & white baby Oscar would look pretty with that goldfish”

[@BenOchart]

Yes, compatibility could have been on the list.

[@craniumrex4614]

That is a good point. I try to research temp and temperament, bio load etc before adding new fish. I have seen forums with questions like - “can I put a betta, 5 danios, and this goldfish my son got at the fair in my 3.5 gallon?” PEOPLE! There is this neat thing called the Internet. Not just for cat memes!! 🤣

[@craniumrex4614]

Great tips, Ben. New subscriber! Speaking of acclimation, I do plop and drop as well. First time was scary but I think it was overall less stressful for the fish. I also spend the last half of quarantine adding my mature tank water to my QT bit by bit so they can get used to the water (and possible pathogens in there) I intend to keep them in. Got this from Rachel as well. I think impatience is the deadliest mistake - that’s what drives people not WAITING for the tank to cycle or WAITING for quarantine. Thanks again for great tips!!

[@BenOchart]

Great points and thank you for the sub 😀👍🏻

[@pn7836]

Hi Ben, what fish food do you feed your fish? Great colour and not even fully grown yet.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you. I feed a variety including Xtreme, Piscine Energetics, Cobalt, some ZooMed Spirulina, NorthFin and once they get a little bigger I’ll add frozen krill.

[@takeiteasy_1012]

Omgoodness, did you put privacy film on the top of that rimless???? I LOVE IT!!! Imma go do it NOW to my 125❤️❤️❤️

[@BenOchart]

I put film on the back, but not the top.

[@takeiteasy_1012]

Oh well, gave me a good idea anyways, cut a 2 inch strip of frosted privacy film and add to the top of my rimless😘

[@BenOchart]

I use “Velimax”, works great and easy to apply.

[@Qsly1]

@BenOchart did you build that aquarium

[@BenOchart]

I wish🤣 It was built by my friends at GlassCages in Dickson, TN

[@Qsly1]

@@BenOchart thank you sir

[@brettcoyle2399]

What size tank are u using for your sump tank?? I wanna build a sump for my 125 out of a 20 long but was thinking maybe need a 40 breeder for more BB AND MEDIA?? What ya think or a good video on building sumps

[@sherischneider8316]

stupid question....my tank sits on a table under the tv. would the noise have any bearing on my fish dying

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Thanks for advice Ben. IFG was right, your known as "5 tips Ben" although last time you gave 10 tips 👊🏽

[@BenOchart]

🤣🤣🤣Mr. Tips

[@mraquaticnews5676]

@@BenOchart yes "Mr. Tips" is what IFG gave you. Ben quick question, planning to get monster cichlid for 100 gallon tank green terror together with texas or jaguar cichlid, what do you think? People have said they'll go together. Also, my water PH is around 8.0 will they thrive in that parameter? At the moment I've got 6 shell dweller cichlid in 100g tank and don't look right hence the change over

[@HeyGirlHaaay]

😢 I lost 8 green spotted puffers within 3 weeks and couldn't figure out why. I see now. Thanks friend

[@BenOchart]

Sorry about that loss. I hope this helps.

[@eues803]

Hi Ben, Question how manta days do you Stay without cleanning yr socks?

[@BenOchart]

I swap them out every week

[@Swany82]

My first tank as adult I ran a month before putting fish in. Only a pinch of food once a week. I still have it up and running

[@alexcintron1243]

I am moving. I have a 75 gallon that's been running at my new home for 3 weeks with seeded sponge filter and a seeded Tidal 55. The FX6 is brand new. I must move 12 fish from the old tank to the new tank at the same time. Will I be okay? Any tips? I plan on putting the 12 fish in 2 buckets. 6 fish each with a battery bubbler. The trip is roughly 20 minutes. Will my tank crash?

[@BenOchart]

You will probably be fine. Do daily test strip tests and condition as needed for a week then do a 50% water change. If you want to be extra cautious take a few cups of substrate from the established tanks, some of the decor is and add to the new tank along with some BB in a bottle like Fritz Zyme 7 and add exactly per the instructions. Good luck.

[@alexcintron1243]

@@BenOchart the substrate in the old tank is blue gravel and the new tank is african cichlid black and white eco complete so I didn't wanna mix the colors. I did move some of the decor from the old tank to the new one. I have been adding stability and prime daily. Is Fritz 7 better? What about adding the substrate in a mesh bag and throwing in the new tank?

[@Swany82]

Crazy I got three more since then only waited a week. But was much more educated 15 years later

[@moyhaq]

Hi Ben My 200l aquarium has been going for over a year with around 20+ cichlids including a few month old fry's. I added around 30 new cichlids the other day and all looked good until the next morning. I lost around 15 fish😥. Is this because I added too much in one go and create a ammonia spike? Funny thing is none of the baby fish died. Please help as it's really frustrating. Thanks in advance.

[@BenOchart]

Ammonia spike is certainly a possibility. I like to add some bacteria, like FritzZyme 7, when adding that many fish at once. If you tested the water, what were the readings after adding all the fish? It might have also been an oxygen issue. Do you have a lot of surface break up (bubblers, powerheads and wave makers)? Last, it might have been a bad batch of fish.

[@moyhaq]

@@BenOchart I have to be honest and say I didn't take a reading for ammonia at the time. All the fish looked happy and whizzing around. After about an hour I did a 20% water change to freshen up the water. Added water conditioner and thought it was all good. I have a pump air running all the time and a wave maker which I decided to leave off for now. I bought a mixture of medium to small size fishes. All of my bigger cichlids as well as the new medium size ones died. My existing fry's growing along with the new smaller ones survived. I did change my filter around 2 month ago with new media/sponges ect. Poss not enough ben bact to handle too many fish in one go?

[@elizabethG633]

Seasoning includes Algae in the tank.

[@BenOchart]

Ideally, yes

[@Roland2307]

Ben, I have big trouble with my 125. I’ve got some kind of fungus. 2 mbuna “rustys” have it bad. The whole tank is acting off. They were perfect little monsters 2 days ago. Water tested perfect. I lost your email somehow? Please help. As long as you’ve been fish keeping I’m sure you’ve seen this before, hopefully??? I have some stunning fish that if I lose I might throw in the towel.

[@michaelvickers89]

My biggest issue is when I add new fish all my current fish want to “test” them and I’ve lost so many fish over it… any ideas on adding new Africans to an well established community?? I have an mbuna African cichlid that is a Ice blue zebra who is just a savage and will bully the fish to death.

[@PULAG]

I lost one fish and that allowed another to rise to 2nd in hierarchy and that causes a huge problem where he could then target my other without distractions. So it was a chain reaction of chaos

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

Flop and drop only way to go. I don't typically quarantine my fish seeing is how I get them all from the same breeder. That's not to say that I couldn't run into a problem with a sick fish. The breeder is local and has been trustworthy so far. If I get anything from a pet store, I would definitely quarantine it. I have already run into problem with sick fish from petsmart and will no longer get them there.

[@jonstfrancis]

Long ago I used to do the slow acclimatisation, I was told that was the way and it was back in the days before internet. Flop and drop now though :)

[@BenOchart]

I think that slow drip acclimation is still used and good for corals

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

@@BenOchart I could see where it would be a benefit in that application. I have never used the drip method but I also only keep fresh water. By the way Ben tank is looking great. I like the substrate, I need to do that to mine.

[@jaymilo8425]

That water looks like it's really moving lol those fish are blowing around like they're caught up in the Santa Ana winds🤣

[@BenOchart]

🤣🤣🤣 the 3500gph wave maker is on a timer, so they get Santa Ana wind storms for only a few hours each day 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaymilo8425]

@@BenOchart I'm a Socal former resident so I know the winds...it's a good way for you to weed out the weak feom the strong lol

[@mattmayers3012]

What's the maximum amount of fish you would add at one time?

[@gustavedorantejr4372]

Hey ben take the venentase out not sure i spelled that right his a killer killed all my fish all

[@BenOchart]

I’ve had Venustus that were killers and I’ve had mellow ones. So far this one has been on the mellow side letting the tetrastigma and livingstonii push him around.

[@1986capy]

Also no proper filteration

[@BenOchart]

That could have been on the list.

[@GSP-76]

Number 1 on the list is huge. It's possible to add fish to a new tank but you have to have the right chemicals to neutralize ammonia.

[@BenOchart]

It really kills off fish and fish keepers

[@GSP-76]

@@BenOchart absolutely...I saved a few fishkeepers by explaining to them on using Prime regularly for 2 weeks and bottled bacteria.

[@butkusfan23]

@@GSP-76 or you can just be patient and not torture the fish by waiting until the tank is cycled.

[@GSP-76]

@@butkusfan23 Your not torturing anything if you know what your doing. Ben started the 210g tank the same way. He kept using Seachem Safe every 24h for about two weeks and had no issues. I've done the same thing multiple times..never had an issue and no fish loss whatsoever. What you have to worry about are nitrites...but if you keep dosing the tank with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria spores (like in Stability), you won't have any problems...and within 2 weeks, you'll have enough bacteria colonized to sustain the tank.

[@butkusfan23]

@@GSP-76 I have heard of people trying this method and killing their fish or stressing them out. So claiming that you will have success is not always true. So, you can avoid all that by simply being patient and allowing the tank to cycle. In my decades of fish keeping, I have seen many people like you take this approach. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t, even if you supposedly do it correctly. So again, you can avoid the torture and killing of fish by being patient and waiting, instead of playing the game of catch-up and staying ahead of ammonia and nitrite spikes and whatnot.

[@theblindfishkeeper]

Hey there Ben! So glad to hear that you are feeling better. I won 110% agree. We must all take precaution not to affect the bacteria colony in our tanks when adding new fish. It’s dangerous to overload it and can definitely lead today off. I recently had a tragedy strike my African colony and lost seven fish. Video to be posted tonight. If you get a chance check it out.🦯🐠

[@BenOchart]

I will, thanks!